Community Food Bank Applauds USDA’s New Summer Nutrition Initiative

Parents Facing Food Insecurity Are Encouraged to Take Advantage of Additional Summer Assistance

The Community Food Bank (CFB) applauds a new summer nutrition initiative being rolled out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Summer is always a challenge for families facing food insecurity because of the unavailability of free and reduced school breakfast and lunch programs. The CFB works each summer to bridge that gap. This year, the USDA is taking a giant leap in helping struggling families through a new ‘SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Program for Kids” initiative.

According to a press release from the USDA:

“Through the suite of SUN programs, families now have more choices and convenient ways to get summer nutrition support for their children and teens with new SUN Bucks, SUN Meals, and previously launched SUN Meals To-Go. Collectively, these programs continue the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in promoting food and nutrition security.”

SUN Bucks, the new evidence-based Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program, provides a grocery benefit of $120 per eligible school-aged child this summer.

SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go are both existing USDA summer programs that serve children 18 years of age and younger.

“The is great news for struggling families,” says Barbara Sprague, CEO/Executive Director of the CFB, “The USDA’s new SUN Bucks program provides families with funds to purchase groceries, the perfect complement to the food they receive at one of our 60+ food distribution agencies. We are extremely thankful and supportive of this new program. It’s a true win-win for our community.”

For more information on the USDA’s Summer Nutrition Program for Kids, please visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer.