North Carolina program provides free summer meals for students who depended on school lunch

North Carolina’s SUN Programs provide free summer meals for students, impacting 900,000+ kids, featuring nutrition, activities, and new $120 SUN Bucks food assistance cards.

As schools across North Carolina prepared to close their doors for summer break, a vital nutrition program stepped up to ensure no child goes hungry.

The North Carolina Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs are expanding their services to provide free, North Carolina summer meals to youth 18 and under, addressing a critical need affecting more than 900,000 students who typically depend on school meal programs during the academic year.

The initiative combines meal service with educational and recreational activities, offering children not just nutrition but also opportunities for summer enrichment and social interaction. Sites are strategically located across the state, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas where food insecurity is most prevalent.

How the program works

The SUN Meals Program operates through various locations, including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, and faith-based facilities. In rural areas, the program offers a flexible “SUN Meals To-Go” option, allowing families to pick up multiple days’ worth of meals at once.

To add to this year’s offerings, the program introduces “SUN Bucks,” a supplemental food assistance initiative administered by the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Eligible families can receive a one-time payment of $120 per child on a card to purchase nutritious foods at grocery stores, farmers markets, and select online retailers.

Beyond just meals

The program features Ray F. Sun, the official mascot who promotes food, fitness, fun, and “farm-to-summer” activities across North Carolina. The NC Farm to Summer Challenge incorporates local food into meals and teaches children about agriculture and nutrition.

Families can find nearby summer meal locations through several methods:

• Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304
• Call 1-866-348-6479
• Visit the USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder

Those interested in getting involved as sites, activity providers, or volunteers can contact the NCDPI SUN Meals Team at [email protected]. For SUN Bucks information and applications, families can visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks before the August 31, 2025, deadline.