Hunter
12/25/23
After announcing that her state would not participate in a summer federal food program for impoverished children, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is facing an onslaught of online backlash.
Just days before Christmas, the governor declined $29 million in federal funding aimed at helping feed the state’s underprivileged children next summer, in-part citing concerns over childhood obesity.
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children program was started during the COVID-19 pandemic by the federal government in response to rising food insecurity. It was permanently authorized by the Biden Administration and Congress earlier this year. The program provides families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals $40 per child per month during the summer to purchase food. The funds are provided on an EBT card in the child’s name. Participating states are required to cover half of the administrative costs, which would have cost an estimated $2.2 million for the state of Iowa.
Reynolds issued a statement Friday saying she was declining the money, claiming COVID-era programs are no longer sustainable, and that the Summer EBT for Children program is not a long-term solution to the problem of child food insecurity. In the statement, she said, “An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic.”
A post from the official Drake University Democrats account said in part, “She is actively making children go hungry. She’ll go down in history as one of the worst Iowa governors. No wonder she’s the most unpopular US governor.”
Democratic Sen. Izaah Knox of Des Moines released a statement saying “This cruel and short-sighted decision will have real impacts on children and families in my district and communities all across Iowa.”
Political scientist David Darmofal wrote, “Governor Kim Reynolds won’t provide free lunches to Iowa children but she will have them working in dangerous jobs in violation of federal child labor laws.” His comments were in reference to recently passed legislation that expanded the state’s parameters for underage workers.
Even tennis legend Martina Navratilova expressed her outrage. In a post on X, formally Twitter, she said, “Does she not realize so many kids are obese because the foods they eat are so unhealthy because of the expense??? How ridiculous… shame on this Governor.”
Fortune Magazine reports at least 18 states and territories and two tribal nations — Cherokee Nation and Chickasaw Nation — have announced they intend to participate in Summer EBT in 2024, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.