2024 Summer Nutrition Summit

Coming Together to Build a Better Summer

Centering Lived Expertise to Make Summer a Success 

Summer EBT Implementation Considerations & Promising Practices for State, Territory, and Tribal Agencies

Join APHSA, Share Our Strength, and state agency leaders to hear key decision points and processes for state, territory, and Tribal agency staff implementing Summer EBT in 2024 and beyond. This session included background on Summer EBT and then turned to a panel of representatives from SNAP and child nutrition agencies, who shared how they are planning and preparing for Summer EBT implementation.

Using Caregiver Insights to Inform a Participant Centered Non-Congregate Program

This session presented findings from interviews with caregivers participating in the summer non-congregate program. After hearing about caregivers’ experiences with the non-congregate program in Summer 2023, attendees participated in an innovation exercise intended to inspire
attendees to think of new ways to ensure that non-congregate meal programs center the needs and desires of program participants.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead: Family & School Perspectives on Pandemic EBT and Summer EBT

This presentation and conversation was grounded in learnings from interviews with families and school staff who navigated Pandemic EBT. We shared key takeaways, provided an opportunity for discussion, and brainstormed together around how we can design and implement Summer EBT programs that respond to the concerns and suggestions raised.

Expanding Reach with Program Integrity – Rural, Non-Congregate Meals

This session featured a panel discussion of state agency leaders from across the country who were able to support sponsors maximizing rural non-congregate meals while maintaining program integrity. The panelists spoke to their ability to address parent/guardian pick-up, multiple days of meals, access to congregate sites, and distribution models as they worked with sponsors to create their integrity plans.

USDA Overview of the IFR for Summer EBT and Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service in Rural Areas

The interim final rule (IFR) on Summer EBT and non-congregate summer meals in rural communities sets the framework for how these programs will work in 2024 and beyond. This presentation provided attendees with a shared understanding of the requirements for each. USDA staff summarized key provisions of the IFR, highlighted areas where they seek comments to inform the final rule, and addressed questions from the audience.

Overcoming Technical Challenges with the Summer EBT Playbook

In this session, Code for America and No Kid Hungry provided an overview of the Summer EBT Playbook: a comprehensive, free resource designed to help state, territory, and Tribal agency staff plan for and implement a human-centered Summer EBT program. We focused on specific technical challenges identified through our primary research with government leaders from across 25 states and jurisdictions. From school data collection to customer support, we walked through challenges and solutions, to help state, territory, and Tribal agency staffers feel empowered to tackle their Summer EBT implementation plans—regardless of where they are in the preparation process.

Collaborating Across Communities to Implement Strong Summer Meal Programs

As we work to expand this new program option in rural communities, it’s more important than ever to collaborate and develop partnerships to identify eligible communities and new sponsors, and design programs that work best for each community. In this session, we discussed collaborating across state agencies, school districts, and community organizations to expand rural non-congregate summer meal programs. We also discussed resources to help identify eligible communities and other tactics to engage and convene important stakeholders serving rural communities.

One Tribe, One Mission: How Chickasaw Nation is Leading on Summer EBT and Summer Non-Congregate Meals

A Young Adult Perspective on Summer Meals – Panel Discussion