New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III announced today that New Jersey is one of the 35 states participating in the USDA’s new Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program. This initiative aims to provide more food availability to children and families in need during the summer months, starting this year.
States will provide families with $120 per eligible child for the summer to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers, similar to how SNAP benefits are used. According to USDA estimates, New Jersey will have over 500,000 children eligible for Summer EBT, resulting in nearly $65 million in federal food security benefits.
“The addition of Summer EBT will provide another opportunity for children and families in need to purchase healthy and nutritious food during the summer months when school lunch programs are not available,” Assistant Secretary Atchison said. “No child or family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. This is an important step in bridging food security gaps for all New Jersey families.”
This new program is made possible by Federal and State cost-sharing, with additional funding provided by the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI) through the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“By committing to launch Summer EBT this summer, New Jersey continues to show its dedication to ensuring food security for as many families as possible,” Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate Mark Dinglasan said. “New Jersey is unique in that it is combining the collaborative efforts of the Departments of Agriculture, Human Services, and Education to launch Summer EBT with outreach efforts from key partners and stakeholders in NJ that ensure many parents and schools have the information they need to take advantage of this program. We are bringing partners together to ensure we can support our students in the summer and it’s inspiring to be a part of these efforts.”
“The summer months can be difficult for families that rely on the nutritional support provided by the school lunch program," Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said. "The addition of Summer EBT will help ensure that families and children have access to healthy food so important to their health throughout the year. This administration continues to prioritize food security for all because regular access to healthy foods means healthier people and communities. I look forward to continuing our work with the Departments of Agriculture and Education to bridge the food gap and provide equitable access to nutritious food for New Jersey’s most vulnerable families.”
“New Jersey’s Summer EBT program is a significant step forward in our efforts to address food insecurity among children and families,” Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer said. “We know the crucial role that access to nutritious meals plays in a child’s ability to learn and grow – the nearly $65 million in benefits of this program will provide nutrition for over half a million students during the summer months when children do not have access to school-based programs. The collaboration of agencies working together demonstrates New Jersey’s commitment.”
Eligible students will be certified through their school districts participating in National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Students must meet income thresholds for federal free and reduced-price meals or attend schools providing free meals through Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Additionally, students enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or foster care will be eligible regardless of their school.
Information about New Jersey’s Summer EBT program can be found on its newly created website: https://www.nj.gov/summerebt/.
The USDA estimates that states, U.S. territories, and tribes launching Summer EBT in 2024 will serve close to 21 million children with nearly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits—around 70 percent of eligible children nationwide.
“Summer grocery benefits are becoming a reality for many communities across the nation,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We applaud all leaders who are stepping up making progress closing summer hunger gaps ensuring children are nourished year-round.”
Evaluations showed providing Summer EBT cards reduced child hunger improved diet quality decreased very low food security by about one-third supported healthier diets featuring more fruits vegetables whole grains.
###
