Iowa Governor’s Summer Feeding Program Alternative Rejected by USDA

[ad_1]
The USDA has rejected Governor Kim Reynolds’ plan to provide monthly boxes of food to low-income households with school-aged children, instead of a monthly stipend for purchasing groceries next summer in Iowa. Reynolds plans to reapply to the Trump Administration for permission to start the project, citing that it would feed more children as the state could buy food at wholesale prices. However, the USDA has stated that the plan does not align with its summer feeding guidelines. The SUN Bucks program, which has provided low-income families with an extra $120 per school-aged child, has played a crucial role in reducing childhood food insecurity in states that accepted the funding. Iowa Hunger Coalition Chair Luke Elzinga is urging Iowans to lobby the governor to accept the USDA’s guidelines. Executive Director John Boller of the Coralville Community Food Pantry emphasizes the importance of direct federal assistance to parents. Reynolds had previously rejected $29 million in summer food assistance for Iowa children, opting to set up summer meal sites with $900 thousand in pandemic relief money instead.

Source
Photo credit kiwaradio.com