Free summer meal program ensures children have adequate nutrition

"San Bernardino County Update", yellow arrowhead and "SBCounty.gov

A young girl smiles, wearing a blue T-shirt and holding a bowl with an apple and a slice of bread in it. — *The SUN Bucks program is back, helping families keep children fed and healthy with access to nutritious food while school is out.*

The SUN Bucks program returns this summer to combat childhood food insecurity. Low-income families can help ensure their children have access to nutritious food this summer through California SUN Bucks, a federal meal program administered by the California Department of Social Services.

The program helps families purchase groceries during the summer months, when children may have limited access to school meals. For summer 2026, eligible children will receive SUN Bucks benefits for June, July and August 2026.

Children automatically qualify for SUN Bucks if they are:

Ages 6 to 18 and receive CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level), including homeschooled children; or
Ages 0 to 22 and:
- attend schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program;
- are determined eligible for free or reduced-price meals; and
- meet income eligibility requirements.

Parents and caregivers should confirm a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application (UBA) is on file with their child’s school. Families who have not submitted an application must do so by Aug. 31, to determine eligibility for Summer 2026 SUN Bucks benefits.

SUN Bucks cards, which work just like CalFresh benefits, will be mailed to approximately 5.4 million eligible children beginning at the end of May and will continue to be delivered through this fall.

Each eligible child will receive a total of $120 in grocery food benefits — equal to $40 per month for June, July and August. Benefits can be used like a debit card to buy eligible food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains and dairy products, at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers that accept CalFresh EBT.

Children receiving SUN Bucks may still participate in other summer meal programs.

Families should set up a PIN immediately upon receiving their S-EBT card by using the free ebtEDGE mobile app by visiting ebt.ca.gov/cardholder/ or calling the SUN Bucks Helpline at 877-328-9677.

SUN Bucks benefits must be used within 122 days of being loaded onto the card. Unused funds remaining after 122 days will expire and cannot be restored once expunged.

Families are encouraged to update their mailing address to ensure benefits are delivered correctly.

Those receiving CalWORKs, CalFresh or Medi-Cal may update their address by:

visiting BenefitsCal.com.
calling 877-410-8829.
visiting a local San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department office.

Parents of children approved for free or reduced-price meals should update their address directly with their child’s school.

For more information about SUN Bucks, visit the California Department of Social Services SUN Bucks website at cdss.ca.gov/sun-bucks.

Additional County Update News – May 28, 2026