NC SUN Meals Programs Offer Free Food, Fitness, Farm to Summer, Fun for Youth

More than 850,000 North Carolina students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the School Breakfast, School Lunch and Afterschool Snack Programs. When school is out, North Carolina SUN Programs provide nutritious meals at no cost for youth ages 18 and under.

Through SUN Meals Programs, youth 18 and under can enjoy meals onsite together at school and community sites. SUN Meals help youth get the nutrition they need all summer long and enjoy time with other kids and teens. In some rural areas, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick-up or delivery. Also called non-congregate meals, SUN Meals To-Go sponsors may provide multiple days of meals at a time to youth 18 and under during the summer break.

To find nearby summer meals at no-cost for kids and teens:

• Use the USDA Site Finder Map at https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sitefinder
• Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish).
• Check your local school district website, social media or other communications.
• Learn more at https://go.ncdpi.gov/ncsummermeals.

In addition to nutritious meals, NC SUN Meals Programs provide fitness and fun through educational enrichment. To learn about activities offered by SUN Meals Programs near you, search #NCSummerMeals on social media. The NC SUN Meals Program mascot, Ray F. Sun, may visit a summer meals event in your community. Follow @Ray4NCKids on social media to learn where Ray will be next. The "F" in Ray's name signifies the food, fitness, fun and farm-to-summer activities that take place across North Carolina as part of NC SUN Programs. Program operators are encouraged to take the NC Farm to Summer Challenge to serve local food as part of meals and snacks, teach about agriculture, nutrition and local food, share about #farmtosummer activities, and sign up to participate in the #NCCrunch for #FarmtoSchool Month. NC SUN Meals Programs, agencies, organizations, and families can all participate in the #NCFarmtoSummer Challenge. More resources are available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's (NCDPI) Office of School Nutrition website.

NC SUN Meals Programs are administered by NCDPI, with federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). SUN Meals Programs are typically located in economically distressed areas to serve the most food-insecure, vulnerable students. Meal sites may be located at schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, medical centers, faith-based facilities, libraries, and other locations. Additional information regarding NC SUN Meals Programs may be found on the NCDPI Office of School Nutrition website. Citizens and organizations interested in getting involved as sites, activity providers or volunteers should contact a sponsor in their area or the NCDPI SUN Meals Team at [email protected].

SUN Bucks, a food assistance program administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), is back this summer. Through SUN Bucks, sometimes referred to as Summer EBT, families will receive a one-time payment of $120 in grocery benefits on a debit-like card per eligible child to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers. Most eligible children automatically qualify for the SUN Bucks program if they have been approved for free or reduced-price school meal benefits during the school year and no further action may be needed. For children who do not automatically qualify but may be eligible, NCDHHS will send an email, text message, or automated call to families with instructions on how to apply. The SUN Bucks application and instructions to apply are also available on the NCDHHS website. Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2026, to be processed for the 2026 summer period. To learn more, visit the SUN Bucks website.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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