Tennessee Skips 2026 Summer EBT Program, but Funding Approved for 2027 Return

State lawmakers approve $7 million budget to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the federal food assistance program next year.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:06pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph showing a child's hand reaching towards a blurred bowl of food, conveying the emotional experience of food insecurity during the summer months.As Tennessee families face another summer without the critical Summer EBT food assistance program, the need for consistent and comprehensive support for low-income children remains clear.Today in Nashville

Tennessee families will again miss out on extra grocery help this summer as the state skips a federal food program for a second year. Although there are new funds that could change that, they won't be available in time for the upcoming summer. The Summer EBT program provides $120 per child from low-income families during the summer months when school meals are not available. In 2024, the program helped feed about 700,000 children across the state before Governor Bill Lee's administration opted out. This week, lawmakers approved a $7 million budget to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the summer EBT program in 2027.

Why it matters

The Summer EBT program is a critical food assistance initiative that helps low-income families in Tennessee make ends meet during the summer when school meals are not available. By skipping the program for a second year, the state is leaving thousands of children at risk of food insecurity and hunger during the summer months.

The details

The Summer EBT program provides $120 per child from low-income families during the summer months when school meals are not available. In 2024, the program helped feed about 700,000 children across the state before Governor Bill Lee's administration opted out. This week, lawmakers approved a $7 million budget to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the summer EBT program in 2027. In the meantime, the state is expected to resume a pilot program offering $3 million in state-run summer food assistance, which only reached 18,000 kids last year and did not address children who qualify for reduced-price school meals.

  • In 2024, the Summer EBT program helped feed about 700,000 children across Tennessee.
  • In 2026, Tennessee will skip the federal Summer EBT program for a second year.
  • This week, lawmakers approved a $7 million budget to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the Summer EBT program in 2027.

The players

Signe Anderson

Senior Director for the Tennessee Justice Center.

Tammy Deiter

Senior Manager of Government Relations and Programs for Second Harvest Food Bank Middle Tennessee.

Michael Hale

Republican state representative from Smithville, Tennessee.

Bill Lee

Governor of Tennessee.

Lisa McCrady Beverly

Director of Communications and Engagement for the Metro Action Commission.

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What they’re saying

“'Summer EBT is a program that is intended for children from low-income families who normally, during the school year, receive free school meals or reduced-price school meals.'”

— Signe Anderson, Senior Director for the Tennessee Justice Center

“'[Summer EBT] provides $120 a summer per child in school.'”

— Tammy Deiter, Senior Manager of Government Relations and Programs for Second Harvest Food Bank Middle Tennessee

“'This is a win for a lot of children. This is 10% of our population.'”

— Michael Hale, Republican state representative from Smithville, Tennessee

“'Last year, it only reached 18,000 kids and didn't even address kids who fall into the reduced price category. …Summertime can be a really expensive time for parents.'”

— Signe Anderson, Senior Director for the Tennessee Justice Center

“'We prepare nutritious meals — breakfast and lunch meals — for any place that young people gather and can sit and have a meal.'”

— Lisa McCrady Beverly, Director of Communications and Engagement for the Metro Action Commission

What’s next

State lawmakers are working to make state participation in the Summer EBT program mandatory, with Rep. Michael Hale stating: 'This is recurring dollars that we can look at how we can do this every year as long as the federal government is doing the federal program. We need to tap into those funds.'

The takeaway

The decision to skip the Summer EBT program for a second year in a row highlights the ongoing challenge of ensuring food security for low-income families in Tennessee during the summer months. While the state has approved funding to rejoin the program in 2027, the delay means thousands of children will continue to face the risk of hunger and food insecurity until then, underscoring the need for more consistent and comprehensive food assistance initiatives.