The COVID pandemic is over, and it’s also time for the out-of-control spending of state and federal tax dollars from hardworking Louisianans to come to an end. The Summer EBT Program (S-EBT) is one of those COVID-era expenditures that was intended to supplement existing food assistance during that extraordinary emergency period.

Yet, in their attempt to keep growing socialist programs, the Left is again trying its worn-out narrative that Republicans want to starve children, which is ridiculous. I’d like to dispel that disinformation here with a few facts.

Louisiana already administers a robust social safety net including SNAP, TANF, and FITAP, as well as Child Nutrition Programs (through LDOE), including the USDA Summer Food Service Program, which is designed to connect kids with food when school is out. This includes the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Seamless Summer Option, and WIC. This year, the Summer Food Service Program will even offer meals to go.

Louisiana will provide over 1 million more meals in the summer of 2024 than in the summer of 2023. We will also provide over 3 million more meals this summer than pre-pandemic summers. Actual healthy meals.

The Summer Food Service Program alone is providing around 4.3 million meals. The Seamless Summer option is providing 354,924 meals and our Child and Adult Care Food Program is providing another approximately 4.4 million meals. That is in addition to SNAP, TANF, FITAP that also provide sustenance.

Every eligible child in every area of the state can receive these meals.

Louisiana has joined other states in focusing our efforts and resources on existing, pre-COVID programs, putting state dollars into things like foster care services and off-ramps to poverty which will help Louisiana’s children live better lives long into the future.

The Summer EBT Program would cost the state up to an additional $7 million, with many strings attached, when we are already feeding children through our existing efforts. The application process for S-EBT, unlike prior rounds of P-EBT, will have a tougher certification for eligibility post-pandemic. With the eligibility changes between P-EBT and S-EBT, we expect the number of children being served would be reduced, but not the cost.

Despite what you’re hearing in the media, the Landry Administration is continuing to support summer food programs to feed our children in need while respecting the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of all of the men and women of Louisiana who are struggling as a result of the Biden Economy.

Beryl Amedée is the State Representative from District 51 representing Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes. She serves as the Chairman of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus.