Tate Reeves Turns Down Federal Help to Feed Children

January 16, 2024

[Washington, D.C.] – Today, Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS02) expresses deep disappointment with the Tate Reeves Administration's decision to opt Mississippi out of the transformative United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2024 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.

In a stride towards tackling child nutrition and food security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces that 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four tribal nations are poised to initiate the innovative Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program. This groundbreaking initiative allocates $120 per eligible child for the summer, empowering families to purchase food from grocery stores, farmers markets, and authorized retailers.

Acknowledging the pivotal role that nutrition plays in the development and well-being of children, the United States Department of Agriculture created this initiative to bridge the nutrition gap that many children are faced with during the summer break when school-based meal programs are unavailable.

Congressman Thompson expresses intense disappointment towards the decision Tate Reeves has made to opt Mississippi out for the new USDA 2024 Summer Food Program:

"Shame on Tate Reeves for refusing essential food assistance for eligible children during the summer.

“Many families in Mississippi have children who qualify for free and reduced lunch, making school-based meal programs a cornerstone of their nutritional intake. With the absence of the EBT Summer Program, families are left to navigate the complexities on their own, a situation deemed inherently unfair.

“These federal funds would have provided crucial support for parents and guardians to ensure their child or children are adequately fed throughout the summer. Unfortunately, the repercussions of the governor opting Mississippi out of this new program casts a significant burden on multiple families.”

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