LINCOLN- A federally funded summer food aid program for low-income youths, which Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen initially rejected but later accepted, wrapped up with greater-than-anticipated participation. “Lots of families we’ve talked to are saying they were able to stretch their dollars longer, buy healthier foods because of these benefits,” said Eric Savaiano, food and nutrition access for nonprofit Nebraska Appleseed. “We’re really proud of our state for getting it up and going.”

Early on, state officials estimated that 175,000 students, or 80,000 households, would be eligible to receive grocery assistance through the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the initiative across the state served 199,272 students or 121,855 families. The effort, administered by DHHS in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education, is designed by the federal government to provide access to nutritious food during the summer when school is out.

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