For the second year in a row, the state of TN/Governor Bill Lee has opted not to accept federal funding for the summer food program for children. While several county mayors (from Bedford, Campbell, Cannon, Chester, Claiborne, Clay, Coffee, Crockett, Dyer, Franklin, Gibson, Hancock, Hardeman, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Morgan, Pickett, Polk, Rhea, Smith, Stewart, White, and Wilson Counties) and Rep. Cohen (D-Memphis) sent letters to him urging the state to apply for Summer EBT funding before the January 1, 2026 deadline. He did not. Tennessee did not seek $84 million in food assistance by the Jan. 1 deadline. While there were legislations filed for the state to accept federal funding (add a legal mandate for the state participate in the summer food program/HB1835/SB1911 both were referred to committee in April respectively and never taken up - Mark Cochran is on the House Committee for the HB 1836; he is not a sponsor of this bill). The following is information for those that will need assistance to feed their children during the summer. This is one source that may help.

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