For many kids, summer means a break from school–but for too many families, it also means a break from the consistent, nutritious meals schools provide every day. For many families, school meals help them stretch their budgets to keep food on the table, despite rising grocery bills. Thankfully, schools and community partners across Florida offer a fantastic program called Summer Breakspot, which provides families with access to meals while school is out. While Summer Breakspot meets a great need amongst Florida’s families, it is not designed to meet the needs of all families. Many families face challenges when it comes to accessing these sites, such as transportation barriers.
That’s where SUN Bucks comes in. SUN Bucks puts a $120 summer food benefit per child directly in the hands of parents to spend at farmers markets and local grocery stores. It’s designed to work in tandem with SummerBreakspot, giving families more options to ensure their kids have enough to eat when school is out.
In a recent survey conducted by Propel, parents across Florida have shared just how critical this support would be. From the struggle to afford fresh fruits and vegetables to the impossible choice between paying bills or buying groceries, families are being forced to make sacrifices no parent should have to make. Many rely on school meals during the year, and while summer meal sites help, gaps remain—making programs like SUN Bucks essential.
Yet, Florida has not opted into SUN Bucks, leaving 2.1 million children without this essential support. By adopting this program, Florida could bring millions of federal dollars into our communities, support local businesses, and most importantly, ensure kids have the nutrition they need to thrive.
Join us in advocating for SUN Bucks! Educate your community, business leaders and elected officials on the program and the ensure Florida opts in for the summer of 2026. Let’s ensure Floridians have the resources they need to raise strong, healthy families. Learn more here and take action today.