SUN Bucks food program is back for second summer in North Carolina

RALEIGH — The SUN Bucks food program is back for 2025 and is expected to provide benefits to more than one million school children in North Carolina this summer. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction are partnering again to administer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program known as "SUN Bucks."

SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food at retailers and farmers markets that accept EBT, including most major grocery stores in North Carolina. SUN Bucks is one of three NC Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs for Kids that keep children fueled during the summer while schools are out.

"Many students rely on their public school to provide them with healthy meals during the school year as nearly one in six children in North Carolina face food insecurity," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "The SUN Bucks program helps them receive nutritious food while school is not in session, so they may continue to thrive."

Notifications from NCDHHS have been sent to eligible families in recent weeks alerting them that their child is automatically certified to receive SUN Bucks benefits. If you received a call, email, or text from NCDHHS, please do not disregard.

Families with questions can visit the website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks or call the NC SUN Bucks Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select a language, then select option 2 to speak with a SUN Bucks representative.

Most eligible children will automatically qualify for the program and were auto enrolled by May 2, 2025. Children automatically qualify if they are eligible for any of the following programs:

• Free and reduced-price (FRP) meals at schools by approved FRP application
• Food and Nutrition Services (also called FNS or food stamps)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program (CTFDP)
• Child is in Foster Care
• Child is enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program (experiencing homelessness or runaway)
• OR if they receive NC Medicaid benefits and have a household income below 185% of the federal poverty level
• Families with children who qualify will receive a new 2025 SUN Bucks card in the mail.

If your child goes to a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but doesn't fit into any of the categories above, you'll have to apply. SUN Bucks is an income-based food assistance program and is only open for students enrolled in a NSLP or CEP school during the 2024-2025 school year.

The SUN Bucks program had a major impact in North Carolina in its first year of operation in 2024:

• Close to 1.1 million of the 1.5 million children in North Carolina’s public schools received benefits to increase healthy food choices during the summer months.
• Almost $130 million in SUN Bucks food assistance benefits was issued in our state. These dollars were invested in local grocery stores, farmers markets and supermarkets across the state.
• SUN Bucks complements existing USDA Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids, which are available at no cost to families for ages 18 and younger. Through SUN Meals, kids and teens can eat meals and snacks and engage in fun fitness and educational activities during the summer at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. In rural areas where it may be difficult to access and participate in SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick up or delivery. Families can locate nearby summer meals for youth and more information at SummerMeals4NCKids.org.

The SUN Bucks program also works with other available nutrition programs, such as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to provide consistent access to nutrition to children and families. Families who may be eligible for nutrition programs like FNS, WIC and others can learn more at ncdhhs.gov/fns.

NCDHHS and NCDPI prioritize nutrition security for children and families across the state and support access to healthy food during the summer months.