Healey-Driscoll Administration launches program to feed 600,000 students and their families during summer months

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll administration announced today that Massachusetts has received federal approval for its summer child nutrition program. Following the ending of Summer Pandemic EBT (P-EBT), this new child nutrition program will help feed an estimated 600,000 students while schools are closed for the summer. Low-income Massachusetts families with school-aged children will be eligible to receive financial assistance to buy groceries through $70 million in federal funds.

“In Massachusetts, we are not leaving federal dollars on the table that could support children and families’ food security. In partnership with our State Legislature, we made universal free school meals permanent. And with this new program, we are working to ensure children and families have access to healthy food all year long,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration and Congress for permanently establishing this child nutrition program. Massachusetts is proud to be utilizing all tools available so kids can focus on learning and play, not where their next meal is coming from.”  

“This child nutrition program is a big win because it makes sure children have access to healthy meals through the summer months, when we know families’ food costs increase. It also supports our local businesses, grocery stores, corner stores, and farmers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This program is a win-win for everyone in Massachusetts and we can’t wait to hit the ground running.” 

“Contrary to popular belief, hunger is often worst during the summer months—when kids aren’t in school and don’t have access to school meals,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “In Congress, I was proud to lead the fight to pass enhanced summer food benefits for kids to give families a little extra help over the summer months. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for working tirelessly to quickly implement this program and helping to ensure that every child in our Commonwealth has access to healthy, nutritious food over the summer.” 

The program, known as Summer EBT, will be administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and local school districts. This new program will complement the Summer Eats program, which provides free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under, at locations across Massachusetts during the summer months. Some students’ families will also continue receiving regular SNAP (federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. These programs build on the Healey-Driscoll administration and Massachusetts’ food security initiatives for children, including Universal Free School Meals, Food Security Infrastructure Grants, and the MA FRESH (Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) grant program. 

“Many students rely on the breakfasts and lunches they receive at school to provide them with nourishment and energy,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “This new child nutrition program ensures every child across Massachusetts has access to nutritious food year-round, even when they are on summer break.” 

“Students cannot learn or play when their hierarchy of needs is not met – when they don’t have food to eat or stable housing. As a former superintendent, I know how important Summer P-EBT was for supporting Massachusetts children and families in the summer months. I want to thank Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration for establishing this as a permanent child nutrition program, which in combination with our Summer Eats program will help children and families access healthy food this summer and for summers to come,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

Eligible families will receive one payment of $120 per child between July and September, corresponding to $40 per month. Families already enrolled in SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF; known in Massachusetts as Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, or TAFDC), or some MassHealth plans will be automatically enrolled in the summer child nutrition program and do not need to take any action. Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply for the program directly on DTA Connect between June 15 and September 7, 2024. 

“When school is out for summer break, hundreds of thousands of students across Massachusetts lose access to regular breakfast and lunch programs, putting them at a higher risk of food insecurity,” said DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue. “Summer EBT will serve as a vital resource for our youngest residents, supplying them with the nutrition they need to learn and grow.” 

“This child nutrition program continues Massachusetts’ commitment to supporting school-aged children,” said DESEActing Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “In combination with Summer Eats, this program will help keep students healthy and ready to play and learn, even while school is out.”   

More information on the program can be found online at Mass.gov/SummerEBT.