Economy

2 states, so far, decline federal summer food aid

Iowa and Nebraska are the first to say explicitly they won’t participate in the new program.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Iowa and Nebraska won’t participate in a new federal food-assistance program designed to feed kids during the summer months, something those states’ governors called unnecessary and duplicative.

States, territories and tribal nations have until Jan. 1 to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service that they intend to participate in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer. Only 23 states had done so as of Wednesday, according to a list maintained by the agency that is updated weekly.

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