The SUN Bucks food program is back for 2025 and is expected to provide benefits to more than one million school children in North Carolina this summer. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction are partnering again to administer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program known as "SUN Bucks."
SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food at retailers and farmers markets that accept EBT, including most major grocery stores in North Carolina. SUN Bucks is one of three NC Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs for Kids that keep children fueled during the summer while schools are out.
Most eligible children will automatically qualify for the program and were auto enrolled by May 2, 2025. Children automatically qualify if they are eligible for any of the following programs:
- Free and reduced-price (FRP) meals at schools by approved FRP application
- Food and Nutrition Services (also called FNS or food stamps)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program (CTFDP)
- Child is in Foster Care
- Child is enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program (experiencing homelessness or runaway)
- OR if they receive NC Medicaid benefits and have a household income below 185% of the federal poverty level
Families with children who qualify will receive a new 2025 SUN Bucks card in the mail.
Families with questions can visit the website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks or call the NC SUN Bucks Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select a language, then select option 2 to speak with a SUN Bucks representative.
See the full Press Release from NCDHHS to learn more.
