DES MOINES, Iowa — The USDA’s Summer EBT program would have given Iowa $29 million for low-income families to buy groceries in the summer of 2025. However, the state announced on Thursday it will be submitting a waiver to use that money for a program of its own design.
The state claims its pilot program will expand eligibility for existing summer food programs to 200% of the federal poverty level and help feed about 56,000 more children than Summer EBT. However, hunger relief organizations say it removes the choice families have to pick out food best for them.
In July, the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) saw its busiest month ever in its 50-year-history, with more than 28,047 people served.
“We don't see those records ending anytime soon,” DMARC spokesperson Blake Willadsen said. “We're going to continue to see these records broken because the cost of living is not going down.”
Willadsen said part of the reason for those higher numbers is the state opting out of the Summer EBT program for 2024.
“It's not a whole lot, but it would be just one more tool in our tool kit to address this urgent need,” Willadsen said.
The program gives eligible low-income families $40 a month per child to buy groceries during the summer. On Thursday, Iowa chose again to not partake in the Summer EBT program, although the state is asking the USDA to allow them to use the money on a new pilot program.
“The program would provide three boxes in the summer,” Anne Discher, member of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said. “The food could be picked up at a distribution site, or through some level of transportation options that could do delivery to families.”
Discher said she’s happy to see the state acknowledge the issue of food insecurity, but believes families should have a say in what they get like Summer EBT allows.
“The benefits are loaded on an EBT card that families can redeem at local grocery stores, so they are able to purchase foods for their families that reflect their cultural, dietary and religious needs,” Discher said.
DMARC will continue pushing for the state to opt in to Summer EBT to avoid another record-breaking month.
“If we can come up with a way to make this program work in the state of Iowa before that January 1 deadline, it's going to make a huge difference next year,” Willadsen said.
As for the reason behind this change, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release that, “the complex issues of food insecurity and obesity cannot be solved with cash benefits that don't actively promote health, nutrition-dense food, or reach all Iowa children in need.”
The USDA noted that it still has to review and approve Iowa's pilot program before it can take effect.