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Despite strong efforts by advocates, Iowa has chosen not to participate in the Summer EBT Program for the second year in a row at the expense of Iowan families. Last summer, Iowa left millions of dollars of federal funding on the table and instead invested $900,000 in state funding to expand the existing Summer Nutrition Programs. While any effort to combat summertime food insecurity should be applauded, this model fails to address many of the challenges and barriers that have historically prevented higher participation at summer meals sites, including transportation and accessibility.

Local leaders from across the country — including Ohio, Massachusetts, California, and Texas — are sounding the alarm about the dire consequences of proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These mayors, city councilmembers, and municipal officials stress that SNAP is not just a safety net for vulnerable residents — it’s a critical economic driver and stabilizing force for entire communities.

House Agriculture Republicans advanced a damaging budget reconciliation bill this week on a party-line vote of 29–25, including an estimated $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade. These cuts follow demands from President Trump for a “big, beautiful bill” — one that prioritizes billionaires and Wall Street over working families and local communities.

Summer EBT, in conjunction with the traditional summer meals programs, provides key nutrition support to children from households with low incomes when school is out, by providing families with approximately $120 on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card per summer per eligible child to help with food costs during the summer months.  Summer EBT is a method proven to decrease food insecurity and improve nutrition. This summer, 37 states and the District of Columbia, five territories, and five Tribal organizations have opted to participate in the program. 

This article is part of a series examining the sweeping and often overlooked consequences of proposed SNAP cuts. The article discusses the powerful connection between food insecurity and community violence, and how proposed SNAP cuts could disrupt innovative local efforts to stabilize families and neighborhoods.