Wisconsin is number one again! This time, we’re the first state to launch the new summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program from the US Department of Agriculture. What’s with this new program? Is it good for Wisconsin?
Here’s Five Fast Facts About the Summer EBT:
- 🍞 Bread - Wisconsin is rolling this out because many children in our state rely on school lunches as their main source of healthy meals. During the summer months, that access is gone.
- 🍅 Tomato - The program will give pre-loaded cards to low-income families with school-aged children to buy groceries. If they already have an EBT card, the new services are added to it.
- 🥓 Bacon - Each family will get a one-time summer benefit of $120 for each eligible child. The cards can be used at grocery and convenience stores, some farmers markets and other places that accept FoodShare benefits.
- 🥬 Lettuce - The program was created by congress and based on a similar program used during the pandemic to address food insecurity for kids.
- 🥪 Bread (Again) - Before you start screaming “handout,” realize that Feeding America lists the average cost of a meal in Wisconsin is more than $3.50. Summer break typically lasts around 10 weeks, which means the program comes out to a whopping $10 a week for those who qualify.
🔥Bottom line: This program is a great idea, but it’s clear it’s the bare minimum. It makes you wonder if this is just for show. That said, if it’s helping kids eat healthy, then every little bit helps.
What do you think of the program?
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