Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Local families with children can expect a permanent boost in the USDA’s summer nutrition program for children to address food insecurity in American Samoa brought on by inflation.

Known as the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer, families will receive $177 per eligible child in Summer EBT benefits to use to buy groceries during the summer. Comparatively, the benefit amount per eligible child in the U.S. mainland is $120 this summer.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) assistance programs have “a wide-reaching impact on the health and well-being of children,” said FNS western regional administrator Jesus Mendoza, Jr.

“This new program – and the boosted benefit amount for American Samoa to reflect the higher cost of food – will help approximately 14,000 children across American Samoa get nutrition they need when school is out for summer so they can grow, learn, and thrive year-round.”

The program was authorized by Congress with bipartisan support just over one year ago, and American Samoa will be among the first to launch the program in its inaugural summer.

The 2024 Summer EBT benefit amount for the 48 contiguous United States was set by statute at $120 per eligible child for the summer. USDA used congressional authority to calculate a higher rate for American Samoa to ensure equitable access. Benefit amounts for future summers will be adjusted for inflation.

Summer EBT is one of three key strategies USDA is using to tackle child hunger during the summer months. Families are encouraged to participate in all summer nutrition programs available to them.