November 8, 2024

Summer 2024 marked the inaugural year of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (Summer EBT). The program, also known as SUN Bucks, provides families with $120 in grocery benefits for each school-age child who is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.  A total of 37 states, two Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), and all five U.S. territories participated in the first year of implementation. 

When schools close for summer, millions of children miss out on nutritious meals they rely on during the school year. Although traditional summer meal programs aim to support children’s health and learning, challenges like transportation, location, and availability often hinder participation, leading to increased hunger during the summer months. In a 2024 report, the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) found that participation in the Summer Nutrition Programs decreased overall in July 2023 compared to July 2022. While advocates continue to push for policies and practices that increase summer meal participation, supplementing these programs with Summer EBT is one way to ensure that children have access to the nutrition they need during the summer months. 

The deadline for states to opt in to Summer EBT for summer 2025 is fast approaching. In 2024, 13 states elected not to participate in Summer EBT, leaving federal benefits on the table and limiting children’s access to nutritious food. While two of these states — Alabama and Utah — have committed to participating in 2025, there are still 11 states that did not participate in 2024 that have yet to indicate they will participate in 2025. While Tennessee participated in the program in 2024, it has yet to commit for 2025. This means that approximately 8.8 million children will miss out on these critical benefits for a second summer.   

Key Dates to Operate Summer EBT 

  • January 1, 2025: States, territories, and Indian Tribal Organizations must submit a Notice of Intent by January 1 to operate the program in summer 2025. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) notice of intent template makes it easy for states to commit on or before January 1. If a state meets this deadline in 2025, it is also eligible to apply for a $1.1 million non-competitive technology grant, which is a one-time grant through USDA for Summer EBT.  
  • February 15, 2025: States, territories, and Indian Tribal Organizations, must submit a final Plan for Operation and Management (POM). After approval of the POM, states can begin drawing down benefit funds. 

Encourage Your State to Participate in Summer EBT in 2025 

Now is the time to encourage your state to participate in Summer EBT. Twelve states — Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming — have not yet indicated that they will participate in 2025. If you live in one of these states, here are some ways to encourage your state to participate:  

  • Call your state Representatives and urge them to support Summer EBT implementation. 
  • Call your Governor’s office and urge them to support and adopt the program. 
  • Reach out to your state anti-hunger organization to share your story and see how you can get involved. 
  • Submit a Letter to the Editor on the importance of this program and how it reduces summer hunger. 
  • Raise awareness through social media of the program and how it could support families.  
  • Launch a sign-on letter and collect signatures in support of Summer EBT and send it to your Governor. 

Examples of many of the materials above and more can be found on FRAC’s Summer EBT Communications Resource Center. FRAC is available to connect and support your Summer EBT advocacy efforts.  

To find out more about Summer EBT, visit FRAC’s Summer EBT website.