CNP summer EBT admin

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded Cherokee Nation $1,662,298 on October 1, 2025, under the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (CFDA 10.646) to administer summer nutrition benefits for eligible children in the Tahlequah, Oklahoma area through September 30, 2026.

The Summer EBT program reduces hunger and food insecurity for children who lose access to free and reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program when school is not in session. Cherokee Nation administers EBT cards loaded with nutrition benefits that eligible children use to purchase food from approved retailers. Eligible children are those determined eligible for free or reduced price school meals in the prior school year or during the summer; some are automatically enrolled based on administrative data, while others must apply and be determined eligible. The funding supports Cherokee Nation's administrative and benefit delivery operations under a management and administrative plan submitted to the federal agency. This is a continual permanent program formula allocation, not subject to competitive renewal or no-cost extension procedures. Cherokee Nation must retain records for three years after submission of annual certification data.