SUN bucks - Ensuring no child goes hungry this summer
By Farms.com
The USDA announced a $100 million grant allocation for the SUN Bucks program, part of its commitment to ensure children have access to nutritious food during the summer months.
The program, also referred to as Summer EBT, is integral to the USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids, which aim to alleviate the financial burden on families and improve nutritional outcomes for children.
Families participating in the program will receive $120 per eligible child to purchase food at designated retail locations, impacting potentially more than 30 million children nationwide when fully operational.
“Thanks to President’s leadership, USDA’s SUN Programs are already helping children and teens get much-needed nutrition over the summer,” stated Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.
The initiative includes a one-time grant to help states and other jurisdictions enhance the technological frameworks essential for administering the program efficiently and securely. This support is crucial for ensuring the successful rollout and sustainability of SUN Bucks.
“One of USDA’s top priorities is helping more states offer SUN Bucks in future years,” emphasized Cindy Long, administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service. “This funding will make it easier for states to get the program up and running and ensure it runs smoothly for participants.”
Aligning with goals set by the Administration at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, SUN Bucks is a key step in enhancing food and nutrition security across the United States.