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SUN Programs: USDA's Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids

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

USDA's SUN programs give kids the nutrition they need in summer when school meals aren’t available so they can reach their full potential!

  • 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 offer SUN Meals To-Go for pick up or delivery to eligible children. 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 provides $120 in grocery benefits 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, sponsors in certain eligible rural areas could provide meals and snacks for kids to be picked up or delivered at no cost with SUN Meals To-Go. This flexible, cost-effective approach helped reach more children. In a recent survey, many sponsors (86%) said they plan to continue offering SUN Meals To-Go in future summers.
 

SUN Programs Brand Guidelines
SUN Programs Web Graphics
SUN Programs Videos
SUN Programs Social Media Posts
SUN Programs Virtual Meeting Backgrounds

Information for Program Operators and Professionals

  • SUN Meals Program Operator Resources

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

    Learn More
  • SUN Meals To-Go Program Operator Resources

    Approved program operators in low-income, rural areas can use alternate service models that are tailored to the needs of the children and communities they serve.

    Learn More
  • SUN Bucks Program Operator 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: March 28, 2025