*"SUN Programs" Include New Grocery Benefits, In-Person Meals, and To-Go Meals*
**WASHINGTON, May 21, 2024** – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of "SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids," aimed at improving nutrition security during summer. These programs provide families new options and convenient ways to access summer nutrition support for children and teens, featuring SUN Bucks, SUN Meals, and the previously introduced SUN Meals To-Go. This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to enhancing food and nutrition security.
“Nearly 30 million children rely on USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs during the school year, but lose access to these essential meals when school is out,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA’s SUN programs offer various options for families to access the nutrition children need to thrive, learn, and grow during the summer.”
**SUN Bucks**, a new evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, provides a $120 grocery benefit per eligible school-aged child this summer, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation and higher outside the contiguous 48 states. SUN Bucks helps families expand their summer grocery budget, allowing them to purchase foods that suit their needs and cultural preferences. Research indicates this benefit can reduce summer child hunger by 33% and improve dietary patterns by increasing the consumption of whole grains, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
This summer, many states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and some tribal nations are partnering with USDA to make SUN Bucks available in their communities, benefiting approximately 21 million children.
SUN Bucks can be used at various grocery stores and food retailers, supplementing other food benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Families with eligible children receiving SNAP and other benefits will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks; others must apply annually.
**SUN Meals** provide nutritious meals and snacks to children 18 and under in high-poverty areas across the U.S., served at schools, parks, community centers, and other neighborhood locations. This in-person program, available since 1968, often includes enrichment activities to support healthy child development.
**SUN Meals To-Go**, introduced in 2023, offers pick-up and delivery options in rural areas where in-person SUN Meals are unavailable.
“Congress’s bipartisan effort ensures no child goes hungry during summer,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “President Biden’s investment in nutritious school meals creates healthier futures for kids, and USDA's SUN programs provide families with more ways to meet their children’s nutritional needs.”
These programs support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030, as outlined at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.
The USDA’s SUN programs website, www.fns.usda.gov/summer, helps families connect to local services, find nearby SUN Meals sites, and check the availability of SUN Meals To-Go. The site also provides information on SUN Bucks and participating states and jurisdictions. A Spanish version is available at www.fns.usda.gov/verano.
The USDA impacts the lives of all Americans daily. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming the food system to focus on resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to nutritious food, supporting farmers and producers through climate-smart practices, investing in rural infrastructure and clean energy, and promoting equity within the department. Learn more at www.usda.gov.
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