![NJ is sending cash to needy kids for summer groceries](https://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/06/attachment-NJ-Summer-EBT-cards-NJ.gov-Canva.jpg?w=980&q=75)
NJ is sending cash to needy kids for summer groceries
🔷 NJ leads federal program
🔷 Kids get money for healthy groceries
🔷 Cards loaded with funds being sent out
New Jersey is among the first states to roll out a new federal program that gives summer grocery money to food-insecure kids.
Eligible NJ kids and their families would be getting extra funds on electronic Summer EBT cards, to spend on health meals while school is out — in addition to existing meals programs.
As an estimate, roughly 550,000 NJ children qualify for free and reduced meals, state Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn said in an interview with New Jersey 101.5.
Federal money — $40 per month for the span of June through August — was being loaded onto a card, the same way Supplemental Nutrition Programs and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) funds have been distributed.
The total $120 can be spent on fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy and grains at grocery stores, farm markets or wherever cards are swiped, Wengryn said.
Strawberries and green leafy vegetables were among Jersey Fresh produce already in season as of early June.
They can be paid for using the Summer EBT cards — along with other local summer favorites, like blueberries, tomatoes and sweet corn.
Wengryn said ideally, the funds are to be used throughout June, July and August — though each card holder has control of when to spend the money at participating retailers.
To see if a child is eligible and/or apply for the benefit, families can contact the child’s school.
There also is a comprehensive look at the supplemental federal program online - at NJ.gov/summerebt.
The best supermarkets in New Jersey
Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom
Items now too expensive for NJ so spend money on
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
The 15 best places to live in New Jersey
Gallery Credit: New Jersey 101.5
More From New Jersey 101.5 FM
![NJ is offering $3.7M to communities to help fight the Spotted Lanternfly](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2024/01/attachment-Spotted-Lanternflies-Canva-Townsquare-Media-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Free blueberries going out to NJ shore visitors on Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/07/attachment-rs28231_thinkstockphotos-533340696-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![They’re back — spotted lanternfly in nymphal stage throughout NJ](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/10/attachment-lanternfly.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tips to stay healthy when interacting with NJ farm animals](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/09/attachment-7.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Jersey Fresh’ is open for business in the Garden State](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2015/07/IMG_05171.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Don’t fret NJ farmers; a little cold should not hurt crops](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/08/attachment-katia-scarpignato-ioSOje8j-Eo-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![NJ says 2 counties should be sprayed for tree-killing caterpillar](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2016/06/gypsymoth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Can it be saved? American bumblebee disappearing in New Jersey](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/10/attachment-Bumblebee_Losses_980951830559.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![5 NJ counties added to ‘quarantine zone’ for spotted lanternfly, bringing total to 13](http://townsquare.media/site/385/files/2021/02/spotted-lanternfly.jpg?w=980&q=75)