Program served a quarter million Arkansas children last year

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that Arkansas will continue its participation in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program into 2025. Last year, the state served 260,000 children through the program.

“Childhood hunger is a crisis – across America and especially in Arkansas. I signed Arkansas up for Summer EBT last year to give us another tool in our fight to make sure no child goes to bed hungry. This program is vitally important for so many families and I look forward to our state continuing its participation next year,” said Governor Sanders.

“Making sure children have nutritious food to eat is one of our top priorities, and we are committed to doing everything we can to fight food insecurity in our state,” said Arkansas Department of Human Services Secretary Kristi Putnam. “Summer EBT is a powerful new program that supports families with children at a time when school meals may not be available. We are proud to participate for a second year in a row, and grateful to Governor Sanders for her leadership and support on this critical issue.”

“We are pleased to partner with DHS to continue to offer this critical service to students,” said Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. “Food insecurity struggles are often worse during the summer months when students are not in school, where they often receive their only meal of the day. Together, we are working to end hunger in Arkansas, and the Summer EBT program is one opportunity to help us ensure that the most needy students have the healthy meals they so desperately need.”

Under Governor Sanders’ leadership, Arkansas joined Summer EBT last year, the first year in which it was available. Summer EBT helps families purchase food during the summer months for children who qualify for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). It provides $120 in food benefits for each eligible child over the summer months.”

The program’s administrative costs are split evenly between the state and the federal government. To support the state’s portion of the cost, the Arkansas Legislative Council today approved $2.9 million for the program.

The Summer EBT benefit is provided on pre-loaded EBT cards similar to ones used for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cards can be used by eligible families to purchase groceries. 

School-aged children who receive SNAP benefits are eligible and will automatically qualify for Summer EBT benefits. If a student attends an NSLP school and has individually been determined to be eligible for free and reduced meals, the student will automatically qualify for Summer EBT benefits as well.

Combatting food insecurity, especially among children, is one of Governor Sanders’ top priorities. She signed legislation during her first legislative session that gives free breakfast and lunch to students who previously qualified for reduced meals. She has also directed her staff to work with stakeholders on a plan for the upcoming legislative session that will address this critical issue.