USDA's SUN Programs offer more summer food options for families. The SUN Programs name reflects the broader, brighter impact USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs will have on kids across the region, helping them thrive during summer and beyond.USDA's SUN Programs offer more summer food options for families. The SUN Programs name reflects the broader, brighter impact USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs will have on kids across the region, helping them thrive during summer and beyond.
The SUN Programs support families in three ways: SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go, and SUN Bucks. Everyone has a role to play in getting the word out about these programs – download customizable materials to promote SUN programs and spread more summer smiles. Digital, brand and print materials are available in English, Spanish, and additional languages.
With new tools, USDA can now do more to fight child summer hunger. Nearly 30 million children participate in USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs. When school is out for summer, kids lose access to these healthy meals, putting them at higher risk of hunger and making it harder to get the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Since 1968, USDA has helped address this summer hunger gap by providing meals to groups of kids at schools, parks, libraries, places of worship, and other community sites. However, due to various barriers, only 1 in 6 children who eat free or reduced-price school lunch participated in these group-based summer meals. Thanks to bipartisan Congressional action, USDA now has new, flexible strategies for providing children food and nutrition support in the summertime. USDA is calling its enhanced suite of tools the SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids. The SUN Programs name reflects the broader, brighter impact USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs will have on kids across the nation, helping them thrive during summer and beyond.
Families have new, convenient ways to get food for their children during the summer. In-person group meals and snacks provided at SUN Meals sites remain a vital source of nutrition in communities with high rates of poverty. Any child aged 18 and under can eat for free at these sites, which may also offer enrichment activities. If group meals aren’t available, families in certain rural communities can pick up free summer meals for their kids or have them delivered to their homes through SUN Meals To-Go. With SUN Bucks, families in participating southeast regional states (AL, KY, NC, and TN), territories, and tribes can receive $120 per eligible school-aged child to buy groceries during the summer. Research shows that this type of summer grocery benefit can reduce child hunger by 33%. The SUN Programs are designed to work together. Children can enjoy free SUN Meals and their families can receive SUN Bucks, if eligible. And both are in addition to other food benefits their families may already get, like SNAP or WIC.
Everyone has a role to play in getting kids the nutrition they need to reach their full potential. SUN Programs are funded at the federal level by USDA and run by states, territories, and tribes. Successful implementation of the SUN Programs requires strong collaboration between government agencies, schools, advocacy groups, community organizations, retailers, and more. Working together, we can ensure the programs run smoothly for participants. This will not only help tackle summer hunger but also strengthen local businesses and economies. USDA is committed to supporting states, tribes, and territories in making the SUN Programs a success by providing trainings, tools, resources, and other assistance. USDA is working hard to ensure all eligible families know about the new, convenient ways they can get summer nutrition support for their kids. We’re investing in outreach and partnering with stakeholders across the country to get the word out about the SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids.
UDSA Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, also known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks, officially launches this summer! Summer EBT provides grocery-buying benefits to income-eligible families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. Families are income eligible if they receive benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or meet the income requirements for free or reduced-price school meals. Most families will be automatically enrolled, but some families will need to apply for the program. USDA has created an outreach toolkit to help implementing agencies promote the new program and help ensure families understand how to use their benefits. The Toolkit contains various factsheets, branding guides, and customizable outreach resources. For more information on Summer EBT in your State, territory, or ITO click here.
Summer EBT Outreach Toolkit | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)