 |
Many North Carolina students rely on meals provided at school during the academic year, which can be a challenge when school is out for the summer. Programs like SUN Bucks, now in its second year, can help.
According to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), SUN Bucks is program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides a one-time $120 payment per eligible child to help cover the costs of nutritious food during the summer months when schools are not in session.
Last year, the program provided nearly $130 million in food assistance to more than one million children in North Carolina. So far this summer, the program has already helped more than one million children as well, according to NCDHHS.
“We are excited to have supported more than one million children and their families through the first round of SUN Bucks in 2025,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Healthy food is essential to overall health and well-being. This program helps bridge the gap during the summer months, so children can continue to thrive.”
Keep reading to learn more about the program, how to take advantage of its benefits, and how to access other nutrition benefits over the summer.
What are SUN Meals?
“When school is out, North Carolina SUN Programs provide nutritious meals at no cost for youth ages 18 and under,” according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Through these programs, youth ages 18 and under can access meals at school and community sites during the summer months. In some rural areas, these meals may be offered to go.
In addition to meals, these SUN programs also offer enrichment through physical activity.
Sign up for the EdWeekly, a Friday roundup of the most important education news of the week.
How can I find a SUN Meals program?
According to DPI, meal sites can be located at schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, medical centers, faith-based facilities, libraries, and more.
To find a summer meal program near you, you can:
- Use the N.C. Site Finder Map.
- Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish).
- Check your local school district website, social media, or other communications.
- Learn more at go.ncdpi.gov/ncsummermeals.
What are SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks, sometimes referred to as Summer EBT, is a USDA program that provides a one-time $120 payment per eligible child to help cover the costs of nutritious food during the summer months when schools are not in session.
These funds are provided through a debit-like card that can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers.
How do I know if I qualify for SUN Bucks?
Most eligible children are enrolled automatically.
Children can qualify if they have been approved for free- or reduced-lunch school meals during the school year and no further action may be required.
Use this tool to check whether your child’s school participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which may affect your child’s eligibility.
According to NCDHHS:
If your child is enrolled in a NSLP school for the 2024-2025 school year and meets one of the scenarios below, they are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks and do not need to submit an application:
- Child completed a SUN Bucks application between July 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2024, and was approved. You do not need to complete another application for summer 2025, so long as the child is still enrolled in a NSLP/CEP participating school.
- Your child gets Free or Reduced-Price meals through the child’s school.
- Important: This does not apply for children in schools where all students get free meals (CEP schools), however, they could be automatically eligible if they participate in any of the programs listed in the section below (any age).
OR
If your child’s date of birth is between July 2, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2018, and they participate in at least one of the programs below, they do not need to submit an application as they are automatically eligible to receive SUN Bucks:
- Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, food stamps), or
- Work First (cash assistance), or
- Medicaid and has a household income of less than 185% of the federal poverty level, or
- Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program (CTFDP), or
- Child is in foster care, or
- Child is enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program (experiencing homelessness or runaway)
How can I apply for SUN Bucks?
If your child was not automatically enrolled, you can find the SUN Bucks application and instructions to apply online. Applications are due by Aug. 31, 2025.
When will I receive SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks are sent on a rolling basis starting in May to those who are automatically enrolled. Additional one-time payments will be issued to families are they are determined eligible until the end of summer.
What can I buy with my SUN Bucks?
A SUN Bucks card can be used to buy food at places that take EBT, such as grocery stores, farmers markets, and online retailers.
You can use a SUN Bucks card to buy:
- Breads, cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
- Meat, fish, chicken, and dairy products.
- Bottled water and drinks without alcohol.
- Seeds and plants that will make food.
However, just like with Food and Nutrition Services, there are restrictions. These are things you can’t buy with a SUN Bucks card:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco.
- Things that aren’t food, like pet food, soap, household supplies, vitamins, and medicines.
- Food that’s already hot or prepared.
Do my SUN Bucks expire?
SUN Bucks benefits expire 122 days after they have been issued and made available on a card, no matter when the card is activated. You will get an email or text notification 30 days before your expiration date. Any benefits that are left after that date can no longer be used.
I still have questions. Where can I go?
To learn more about what you can buy with these benefits, additional information about eligibility, and more, visit the SUN Bucks page on the NCDHHS website.
What is the NC Farm to Summer Challenge?
According to DPI, NC SUN Meals Programs, agencies, organizations, and families can all participate in the NC Farm to Summer Challenge.
“Program operators are encouraged to take the NC Farm to Summer Challenge to serve local food as part of meals and snacks, teach about agriculture, nutrition, and local food, share about #farmtosummer activities, and sign up to participate in the #NCCrunch for #FarmtoSchool Month,” according to a press release from DPI. “The NC Farm to Summer sign-up, toolkit and other resources are available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), Office of School Nutrition website.”
