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

State to resume smaller pilot program this summer, while advocates push for mandatory participation in federal initiative.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:03pm

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An abstract, blurred image of a family grocery shopping, with soft, warm colors and light creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere that evokes the emotional experience of food insecurity.As Tennessee families struggle with rising food costs, the loss of crucial summer grocery assistance highlights the ongoing challenges of childhood food insecurity.Today in Nashville

Tennessee families will again miss out on extra grocery assistance this summer as the state skips the federal Summer EBT program for a second year. However, state lawmakers have approved $7 million in funding to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the program in 2027. In the meantime, the state will resume a smaller $3 million pilot program, but advocates argue it falls short of addressing the needs of all low-income children during the summer months.

Why it matters

The Summer EBT program is a crucial lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Tennessee children who rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the academic year. With families facing rising food costs, the loss of this summer assistance can create significant hardship and food insecurity for low-income households.

The details

Tennessee opted out of the federal Summer EBT program in 2024, which had previously provided $120 per child in grocery assistance over the summer months. This year, the state legislature has approved $7 million in funding to cover administrative costs, setting the stage for Tennessee to rejoin the program in 2027. In the meantime, Governor Bill Lee is expected to resume a smaller $3 million state-run pilot program, but this initiative only reached 18,000 children last year and excluded those in the reduced-price meal category.

  • In 2024, the Summer EBT program helped feed about 700,000 children across Tennessee before the state 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.
  • This summer, Governor Bill Lee is expected to resume a $3 million state-run pilot program offering more limited assistance.

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

“'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 Representative 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 highlights the ongoing challenges low-income families in Tennessee face in accessing adequate nutrition during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. While the state's approval of future funding is a positive step, advocates argue the current limited pilot program falls short of meeting the needs of all children who rely on free or reduced-price school meals.