USDA: American Families Plan Will Help Children, Families This Summer

Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack, says when it comes to efforts to ensure all school aged children across the country are fed, the American Families Plan offers needed assistance.

"We're going to make permanent, this incredible and historic effort to feed kids during the summer months. There are, as I said, nearly 30 million American children who are in free or reduced lunch status in schools. At the end of the school year there is no program other than the summer feeding program.

Vilsack added the summer EBT card will help families nationwide.

"It allows parents the opportunity to go to the grocery store as they do with their SNAP card, and be able to purchase additional fruits and vegetables and other wholesome food for their children."

This way, he noted, children will be better prepared to return to school in the fall.

"We're also extending the opportunity to impact free school meals in high poverty school areas by focusing on the community eligibility program that essentially identifies the ability of a school district where SNAP participation is roughly 40% to extend free meals to everyone in that school."

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