California Expands Summer Meal Access for Children

California Expands Summer Meal Access for Children

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Newsom June 4 announced that the California Department of Social Services or CDSS is launching SUN Bucks in California, a federal food program designed to ensure that children in families with low incomes have adequate nutrition while school is out for the summer. 

SUN Bucks will provide $120 per child, which is equivalent to $40 per month, during the three months schools are typically closed during the summer – to help reduce food insecurity and making nutrition more reliably available to families and kids who need support.

Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through a school meal application or an alternative income form, or who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, are automatically enrolled. California is one of the first states in the nation to launch this new food program and get money to families.

In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which created a new, permanent Summer EBT program for states to provide food benefits to families with school-age children and low-incomes, beginning in 2024. In July 2023, California passed Assembly Bill 120, establishing the CDSS as the lead implementing agency, in partnership with the CDE, to maximize Summer EBT program participation for summer 2024. 

In addition, families can locate summer meal sites in their communities using the CA Meals for Kids App or by visiting the Summer Meal Service Sites webpage.