NEW ORLEANS — Local food pantries say they've run into another roadblock when it comes to administering meals for kids this summer. Second Harvest Food Bank says the Summer Food Service Program has fed kids for years, but now, some kids may go without meals because of new regulations.
This comes after the state decided not to accept federal dollars to fund the summer EBT program, which also helps families feed kids when school is out.
For years, Second Harvest Food Bank has fed children and teens over the summer. Natalie Jayroe, CEO of Second Harvest, told WWL Louisiana, "Because we had such a high rate of child food insecurity and free and reduced breakfast and lunch, we could serve any child that came to these sites."
The Department of Agriculture funds the Summer Food Service Program. Jayroe says depending on the site, this year, USDA will require organizations that receive federal dollars for the program to double-check if the child is eligible to be fed.
"For Second Harvest, that's 5,500 children at 80 locations across Southeast Louisiana, and our partners are often churches and small non-profits run by volunteers," she said.
Now, parents will have to file paperwork to prove they don't make enough money for their kids to get a meal. Previously any child could walk up to a site participating in the program and get something to eat.
According to the state Department of Education, the Summer Food Service Program has several different site types. According to Second Harvest, they've previously operated under what's called a 'closed enrolled' site, which didn't require children to show proof of family income. The food bank says now they're classed as a 'camp site' - which does require kids to be eligible to get a meal.
Jayroe says this restriction, plus the state not accepting money to fund the summer EBT program this year, is going to heavily impact kids.
"Are they going to have enough people on hand to collect these forms go through all the administration to qualify each of these kids," Jayroe said.
Second Harvest is already working overtime to feed kids because of no summer EBT.
Councilwoman Helena Moreno said, "We need to figure out an option to ensure that kids are able to get the food that they need."
Second Harvest says this added requirement is only going to exacerbate the city and state's battle to end food insecurity.
“Without this program, many children will go hungry this summer, and that’s the bottom line,” Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain said in a press release this month.
WWL Louisiana contacted USDA, which said it would get back to us with a statement.
Our partners at the Louisiana Illuminator report lawmakers are pushing for the state to accept federal dollars to fund the summer EBT. Senate President Cameron Henry and State Representative Jack McFarld said they're going to meet with state officials to push for the food assistance program to be available this summer.
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