New Jersey has announced its participation in the USDA's Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program, which aims to enhance food availability for children and families during the summer. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III stated that New Jersey is among 35 states joining this initiative.
Families will receive $120 per eligible child to purchase food at authorized retailers, similar to SNAP benefits. The USDA estimates over 500,000 children in New Jersey will be eligible, resulting in nearly $65 million distributed 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,” said Assistant Secretary Atchison. “No child or family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”
The program is funded through Federal and State cost-sharing, with additional support from the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), and 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,” stated Mark Dinglasan, Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate.
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman emphasized that "the summer months can be difficult for families that rely on the nutritional support provided by the school lunch program."
Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer highlighted that "New Jersey’s Summer EBT program is a significant step forward in our efforts to address food insecurity among children and families."
Eligible students will be certified through their school districts participating in National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Eligibility extends to students meeting income thresholds for federal free or reduced-price meals or those enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or foster care.
Details on eligibility criteria and application processes are available on New Jersey’s newly created Summer EBT website: https://www.nj.gov/summerebt/.
The USDA anticipates that around 21 million children across states, territories, and tribes will benefit from nearly $2.5 billion in grocery benefits under this program.
“Summer grocery benefits are becoming a reality for many communities across the nation," remarked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Together we’re making progress in closing the summer hunger gap."
Evaluations indicate that providing Summer EBT cards reduces child hunger significantly while promoting healthier diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
