Gov. Sherrill signs school meals bill, announces Summer EBT benefits for 681,000 children
State officials said the measure is intended to reduce barriers for families seeking access to school meal programs and help address child food insecurity.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday signed legislation requiring New Jersey public schools to prominently display information about free and reduced-price school meals on their websites and announced Summer EBT benefits for more than 681,000 eligible children statewide.
The new law requires schools to post a link to the subsidized school meals application in a prominent location on their websites, along with a link to at least one informational video produced by the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate about the application process.
State officials said the measure is intended to reduce barriers for families seeking access to school meal programs and help address child food insecurity.
Sherrill also announced that eligible families will begin receiving Summer EBT benefits in the coming days. The program will provide a one-time benefit of $120 per eligible child for use at grocery stores, farmers markets and other authorized retailers during the summer months.
"We know that school meals are one of the best, most direct ways to help kids get the nutrition they need to succeed in school and to build healthy lives. And they save eligible families an average of $1,200 a year in grocery costs as well. And let me say, as a mom of four, I can tell you, teenagers can really eat. It's not cheap," said Sherrill.
According to the governor’s office, 689,149 students are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals in New Jersey, including 456,705 who are enrolled through direct certification because they already participate in programs such as Medicaid or SNAP.
