WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced it is providing $100 million in grants to help states, Tribal Nations, and U.S. territories implement SUN Bucks – a new, permanent program that helps families buy groceries for their children during the summer. SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is part of the SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids that lower costs for families and improve food and nutrition security during summer break when kids lose access to school meals.
SUN Bucks provides families in participating states a $120 grocery benefit for each eligible school-aged child to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other authorized retailers. USDA estimates that when SUN Bucks is fully implemented, it will reach more than 30 million children nationwide.
The one-time grants will support development and modifications to state technology systems that are needed to effectively run the program with proper controls and integrity. The funds are available to all agencies implementing SUN Bucks this year, as well as those planning to launch the program next summer.
SUN Bucks advances the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health to enhance food and nutrition security and improve food access and affordability. Today’s announcement highlights one of many ways USDA continues to support states as they roll out the program.
The SUN Programs work together to lower costs for families and tackle childhood hunger during the summer months.