Nebraska education officials pass on summer food aid program [Video]

LINCOLN — Nebraska Department of Education officials say their agency doesn’t have enough resources to manage a new federal food aid program after it was rejected by Gov. Jim Pillen in December.

Education Commissioner Brian Maher said during a State Board of Education meeting Friday that he had “considerable conversations” with Nebraska lawmakers and advocates about the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Program for Children. It will provide millions in food aid to low-income families with children qualifying for free or reduced-price meals this summer to states that participate.

The Nebraska Department of Education still has the authority to take on the program itself, but Maher said there are currently not enough resources to do so.

“Certainly in our office, we’ve had meetings and worked to be clear what role, if any role, we have with EBT administration,” Maher said. “We’re not set up to handle EBT administration at the …