In Indiana, over 650,000 kids are without consistent meals this summer because the state opted out of an important federal food program. I just introduced a bill to change that.
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program is designed to fill a gap for kids who typically rely on free meals at school. It’s a win-win program: the federal government covers the cost of the food benefits. Congress has already approved it, and it’s set to go — signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered to 650,000 Hoosier kids in need. That’s how the program works in other states.
Except Indiana has chosen not to participate in the program and has refused to accept this funding. Indiana officials are leaving money on the table because they claim we can’t afford the administrative expenses. But this explanation just doesn’t hold up. Indiana ended the 2025 fiscal year with revenues $170.6 million over expectations, with $2.5 billion in reserves and a $337 million surplus.
It’s not about whether our state can pay for it. It’s about what our state chooses to pay for.
I can’t think of any better investment than nurturing and protecting our nation’s children. Children need consistent healthy foods to support brain development, healthy growth, and strong immune systems. The psychological impact of hunger is detrimental to children from stigma, embarrassment and lack of confidence — studies show that children from food-insecure households are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.
Poverty and hunger rates are higher among most non-White populations. According to Feeding America, Black children are twice as likely to face hunger. Racism, discrimination, low wages, unemployment, and food deserts in communities that are predominately Black all contribute to higher rates of poverty and lower educational outcomes.
“It’s especially cruel that Indiana is cutting summer food assistance when groceries are more expensive than ever.”
It’s especially cruel that Indiana is cutting summer food assistance when groceries are more expensive than ever. Families simply can’t afford to put dinner on the table. That’s compounded by Trump’s extreme cuts to SNAP — which made the deepest cuts to nutrition assistance ever.
Politicians get into debates about the role of government assistance. Politicians get into debates about work requirements and qualifications that determine whether an adult should receive government assistance.
“There is no reason any child in our country should suffer so adults can score partisan political points.”
But no child should be dragged into politics. There is no reason any child in our country should suffer so adults can score partisan political points. Public servants should ensure that no child goes hungry — especially when resources are available, but callously and deliberately rejected.
We know the problem: Indiana is choosing politics over the well-being of our children. Here’s my solution:
My Summer Meals for Kids Act will integrate Summer EBT into the National School Lunch Program — so no child has to go without food when school is out during the summer months. My bill would allow eligible families to automatically receive benefits through electronic benefit transfer or other approved methods, ensuring uninterrupted access to nutritious food when school meals are unavailable.
The National School Lunch Program operates in nearly 100,000 schools across the country. It provides billions of lunches for children in need, allowing students to learn and grow without the pangs of hunger.
No state can opt out of the National School Lunch program, and it’s past time Summer EBT is treated the same. Hunger doesn’t go away for kids during the summer. Children don’t stop growing — they need healthy, nutritious food — without worrying where the food will come from.
My bill would ensure every state opts into the Summer EBT program. Summer EBT funding is already set aside to go to our kids. It shouldn’t matter what state they live in — no child should experience food insecurity or hunger.
Families need even more help right now — and no state should be able to play politics with our kids.
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson represents Indiana’s 7th District. Learn more at carson.house.gov.
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Based on reporting by Indianapolis Recorder.
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