Published on January 8, 2026
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on December 22 that Iowa would be participating in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer EBT) in 2026. Advocates have urged the state to adopt the program since it launched in 2024. FRAC applauds this decision, as research shows that Summer EBT reduces food insecurity, improves nutrition, and ensures that families have the benefits they need to purchase food at the time and at the places that work best for them.
This announcement coincides with the release of a final report on Healthy Kids Iowa, a state-run program operated in 2025 that aimed to provide families with $40 per month in fresh, nutritious food during the summer. Healthy Kids Iowa was intended to reach 65,000 children — only about one-third of the number that Summer EBT would have reached had the state chosen to operate it. Even so, the state demonstration project fell short of their goal, reaching 34,879 children (54 percent of those eligible) in June, 47,543 children (73 percent of those eligible) in July, and 43,157 children (66 percent of those eligible) in August.
The Healthy Kids Iowa final report reflects the challenges and barriers faced by similar food box programs, including transportation barriers limiting access, resulting in lower participation. The distribution of pre-set food boxes also made participation more difficult for families with dietary restrictions, as the food provided did not always meet their needs. Additionally, these programs are costly to operate, and state or federal funding often does not fully cover the expenses required to run them effectively. Most importantly, the report found that families prefer the flexibility that Summer EBT provides over a pre-determined food box.
Iowa has taken an important step forward in addressing summer hunger by choosing to adopt Summer EBT for this summer. We urge all other states who have chosen not to participate to follow their lead.