Information for NC Educators:

We are amplifying these messages from the NC Department of Health and Human Services about SUN Bucks, which provides grocery-buying benefits for families to purchase nutritious foods during the summer. We are excited to share that SUN Bucks is back in 2025, providing critical nutrition support to eligible students across North Carolina.

In 2024 in our state, SUN Bucks provided essential nutrition to 1.1 million children through the distribution of nearly $130 million in grocery-buying benefits for the summer months. This initiative has not only met the critical needs of our youth but has also energized North Carolina’s economy with an estimated $200 million boost. These outcomes underscore the profound impact of our collective efforts.

What is SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits to qualifying families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are out. Qualifying families will receive a one-time payment of $120 in food assistance benefits per eligible child. Benefits will be issued on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers. Benefit amounts may vary year to year.

SUN Bucks aims to promote physical and mental well-being by increasing access to nutritious foods and alleviating economic strain faced by families when school is out for the summer.

Stay Tuned!

Please visit North Carolina’s SUN Bucks website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for more information, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and updates. You can also monitor the NCDHHS Instagram, Facebook page, and X account for SUN Bucks announcements.

How May Educational Stakeholders Get Involved?

Families can submit a 2025 SUN Bucks application by visiting www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucksapplication. We encourage families to apply online, but 2025 paper applications can be requested by emailing [email protected].

Please direct families to the SUN Bucks website ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks to find out if they are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks benefits or if they can apply. Families can take the interactive eligibility quiz by going to the chatbot icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the website, ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks, select their language, then select “Take Eligibility Quiz.”

Helpful Resources

2025 SUN Bucks Paper Application and Instructions

Purpose: This is the paper application and instructions on how to fill out the application for the 2025 program year.

SIS Coordinators Flyer

Purpose: This flyer includes important information for Student Information Services (SIS) Coordinators, who play a critical role in pulling the necessary data to determine student eligibility for SUN Bucks.

Social Media Toolkit

Coming Soon!

Purpose: School stakeholders may utilize the social media stock images and content to share information about the SUN Bucks program on their Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) pages.

SUN Bucks Flyer

Coming Soon!

Purpose: This flyer provides more information about the SUN Bucks program.

Eligibility Flyer

Coming Soon!

Purpose: This flyer provides information for families about eligibility for SUN Bucks benefits.

SUN Programs Flyer

Coming Soon!

Purpose: In addition to SUN Bucks, youth under 18 can also access free summer meals through SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go programs during the summer months. This flyer provides more information about all SUN Meals programs.

Other ways to fuel youth during the summer 

In addition to receiving SUN Bucks, families also are encouraged to have their children, ages 18 and younger, participate in other federal Summer Nutrition Programs available at no cost to them. 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 find more information at SummerMeals4NCKids.org