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SUN Programs: USDA's Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids

SUN Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids
More summer food options for families

Families now have more ways to get their kids the nutrition they need in summer when school meals aren’t available. USDA’s SUN programs offer convenient, flexible options to help kids reach their full potential!

Get shareable materials about SUN programs for your community.

  • SUN Meals | Free meals at neighborhood locations

    SUN Meals logo on a light orange background with an image of a girl eating an apple in the upper right hand corner

    Free meals and snacks are available to all kids 18 and under at schools, parks, and other eligible locations. No application needed! Find meal sites in your community.

    Let's Eat!

  • SUN Meals To-Go | Meals for pick-up or delivery

    SUN Meals To-Go logo on a light yellow background with an image of a brown lunch sack being handed off in the upper right hand corner

    Some rural communities now offer SUN Meals To-Go, which you can pick up or have delivered to your home. See where it’s available.

    Let's Go!

  • SUN Bucks | New grocery benefit

    SUN Bucks logo on a light blue background with an image of a mother and daughter shopping in the produce aisle in the upper right hand corner

    SUN Bucks is a new grocery benefit that offers families $120 per eligible child in the summer. Find out if SUN Bucks is available where you live and learn more.

    Let's Shop!
Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids white logo on an orange background with a father and daughter shopping on the left and two kids eating lunch on a picnic table on the right
Spotlights
a colorful poster against a wooden background
SUN Programs Communications Toolkit

This communications toolkit contains materials for use by agencies implementing the SUN programs – SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go, and/or SUN Bucks. Many are customizable so you can tailor them to your specific state, Tribe, or territory.

Caregiver picking up their child’s meal and snacks from a SUN Meals To-Go sponsor.
2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service Sponsor Survey

Beginning in summer 2023, families in certain rural areas could get meals and snacks for their kids picked up or delivered at no cost with SUN Meals To-Go. This flexible approach helped sponsors get more meals to more children! 

In a recent survey, many of our sponsors (86%) said they plan to continue offering SUN Meals To-Go for future summers.
 

SUN Programs Style Guide
SUN Programs Web Graphics
SUN Programs Videos
SUN Programs Social Media Posts
SUN Programs Virtual Meeting Backgrounds

Information for Program Operators and Professionals

  • Request for Information: Tribal Pilot Projects

    Share your thoughts! FNS is requesting public input on pilot projects that will allow Tribes to administer child nutrition programs, such as summer meals.

    Learn More
  • SUN Meals and To-Go Programs Resources

    Tribal nations, state agencies, site sponsors, and program operators can use these resources to help administer the programs.

    Learn More
  • SUN Bucks Program Resources

    Tribal nations, territories, and state agencies can use these resources to help administer the SUN Bucks programs.

    Learn More
  • Turnip the Beet Awards Program

    Recognizes outstanding SUN Meals program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious during the summer months.

    Learn More
Page updated: January 23, 2025