WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — For the first time, more than one million North Carolina students will be eligible for extra food assistance this summer. The state is taking part in a new USDA program known as SUN Bucks to help prevent child hunger while school is out until the fall.

What You Need To Know

  • A new USDA program, SUN Bucks, helps prevent child hunger while school is out

  • SUN Bucks is a one-time $120 benefit that will be issued Friday, June 14

  • For eligible students, SUN Bucks will loaded onto current EBT cards and all others will get a SUN Bucks card in the mail
  • Any store that accepts EBT cards will take these SUN Bucks benefits as well

Nearly 60% of public school students across the state qualify for free and reduced-price meals at school. This SUN Bucks program is meant to help those students, as well as others who may be eligible.

“900,000 students in North Carolina depend upon meals at school during the school year for their primary source of nutrition,” Dr. Lynn Harvey, the NC DPI School Nutrition Services Director, said.

Harvey adds that a well-balanced meal is something some kids only experience while they’re at school.

“In fact, for many students, it’s the best, most nutritious meal they’re going to have. And for others, it may be the only meals they have,” Harvey said.

Harvey says the impact food can have on growing bodies and minds has been proven time and time again.

“Children can’t learn when they’re hungry. They’re limited in their capacity to pay attention in the classroom fully. When we make sure they’re well nourished, when they’re well-fed, they can concentrate, they can focus on the task at hand. They can achieve their best,” Harvey said.

While these meals are consistent during the school year, there’s a gap the state is hoping to fill.

“So what happens when school’s out for the summer months? Those meals are not there,” Harvey said.

This year, for the first time, more than one million North Carolina students will be eligible for extra food assistance over the summer, a one-time $120 benefit known as SUN Bucks.

“The SUN Bucks program will provide cash assistance to children and, of course, to their households that will enable them to purchase groceries throughout the summer months,” Harvey said.

Those who already receive no-cost or reduced-cost meals at school, take part in Food and Nutrition Services, receive Medicaid with income below 185% of the federal poverty level or are in foster care, automatically qualify for the program.

The program is just one way to make sure students aren’t forgotten about and are ready to learn when they come back to school in the fall.

“We hope to close that summer gap so that children won’t be hungry during the summer months, as many have been in years past,” Harvey said.

SUN Bucks benefits will be distributed starting Friday, June 14.

Families and kids who currently receive food and nutrition services like food stamps will see their SUN Bucks loaded onto their current EBT cards. All others will get a SUN Bucks card in the mail. Any store that accepts EBT cards will take these SUN Bucks benefits as well.

North Carolina is one of only three states in the Food and Nutrition Services Southeast Region to take advantage of this new USDA program.