Mississippi quits child food program amid Republican ‘welfare state’ attack

Critics condemn ‘cruelty’ of state opting out of federal problem to feed children from low-income families during summer break

Mississippi is withdrawing from a federal program to feed children during their summer break from school, the governor there announced, characterizing the decision as a way to reject “attempts to expand the welfare state”.

Governor Tate Reeves, a Republican, declined to participate in the federal program that would give electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to low-income families to supplement food costs when academic classes are out of session, Mississippi Today reported.