Governor Kim Reynolds says she will not be deterred by criticism of her proposed alternative to provide meals next summer to low-income households with children who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.

The USDA will provide $120 in electronic benefits to each child over the summer. Reynolds opposed the $29 million in benefits for Iowa families this summer and next and is proposing that the state use that federal money to provide food packages to families next summer.

“I’m not surprised because they put together a program. They didn’t use their own,” Reynolds said. “But … if it’s really about the kids and it’s really about feeding families and we can make more out of those dollars because we’re buying wholesale instead of at retail prices, then I don’t know how you can say no to that.”

Last week, a Department of Agriculture spokesman said the governor “claims the state knows better than its own families what their needs are.” Reynolds said the state’s summer food program – which she would expand – has provided meals and snacks for children in low-income areas of the state. And Reynolds stressed that it is crucial that the state, not families, buy the food.

“That was my biggest concern because the children were not being monitored. They had no nutritional value,” Reynolds said. “They asked me to set up a separate system. I set one up.”

Iowa was one of 13 states that did not accept the additional food aid this summer.