South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper, alongside Cindy Long, Administrator of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services, announced the launch of SUN Bucks, North Carolina’s latest food assistance program aimed at preventing child hunger. Governor Cooper acknowledged six philanthropic partners in North Carolina for their contributions to support SUN Bucks, joining leaders from the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI).

North Carolina will receive approximately $120 million in federal benefits to feed over a million school children this summer. The first benefits from the SUN Bucks program will be issued to eligible families next week.

“Summer can be a hard time for children who rely on our public schools for a healthy school breakfast and lunch,” said Governor Cooper. “Nearly one in six North Carolina children face food insecurity at home and this effort helps make sure they get the nutritious food they need.”

North Carolina is one of only three states in the Food and Nutrition Services Southeast Region to implement the new USDA program. The purpose of SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is to provide food assistance to school-aged children during the summer months.

The North Carolina SUN Bucks program is a collaboration between USDA, NCDHHS, NCDPI, and philanthropic partners. Contributions came from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Smithfield Foods, The Leon Levine Foundation, Dogwood Health Trust, Cone Health Foundation, and Brighthouse Financial.

"We applaud North Carolina for stepping up as a leader and implementing Summer EBT in its inaugural year,” said Administrator Long. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to dramatically reduce child summer hunger. We at USDA are excited to be partnering with North Carolina this summer and look forward helping more states come on board for Summer 2025.”

Families will receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child to purchase nutritious foods during the summer — critical support for 1 in 6 children in North Carolina who live in households without consistent access to food.

“Access to good food is essential to good health and well-being,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Every kid should be able to enjoy the summer without worrying where their next meal will come from. SUN Bucks helps ensure children in North Carolina have access to the healthy nutrition they need to thrive.”

Nearly 60% of public school students across the state qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school and are at higher risk for hunger when school ends. SUN Bucks aims to ensure these students continue receiving nutritious foods during summer.

“Every dollar counts for families working to put enough food on the table while kids are out of school,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt. “Our goal for the SUN Bucks program is to help make sure no child in North Carolina goes hungry this summer.”

Most eligible children and families automatically qualify for SUN Bucks with no action needed. Benefits will be issued starting Friday, June 14. Families currently receiving FNS will see their benefits loaded onto existing EBT cards; other eligible children will receive a SUN Bucks card by mail.

For those who do not automatically qualify but may be eligible for SUN Bucks, NCDHHS will send emails and text messages with application instructions. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2024.

For more information about eligibility requirements or how to apply, visit the updated SUN Bucks website or contact customer service at 1-866-719-0141 (option 2). Additional details about summer nutrition programs can be found on NCDPI’s Summer Meals webpage.

Quotes from philanthropic partners highlighted their commitment:

“School food plays such a critical role in the lives of North Carolina children... The significance of SUN Bucks cannot be overstated,” said John Lumpkin, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

“Fighting food insecurity and hunger is a top priority for Smithfield,” said Steve Evans, vice president of Community Development for Smithfield Foods.

“We are proud...to ensure the launch of SUN Bucks this summer so that families with children will have access to nutritious food while school is not in session,” said Tom Lawrence, president & CEO of The Leon Levine Foundation.

“Availability of healthy nutritious food is an important social driver...particularly during summer months,” said Susan Shumaker, president of Cone Health Foundation.