FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2026
Georgia lawmakers weigh joining SUN Bucks program as budget talks continue
The issue is wrapped into Georgia’s state budget, where House lawmakers have included $2 million to administer the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program.
CONTACT: Abby Kousouris, atlantanewsfirst.com
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — When the last school bell rings for summer, thousands of Georgia children lose something they rely on every day: a guaranteed meal. Lawmakers are debating whether the state should join a federal program aimed at helping families cover grocery costs when school cafeterias close.
The issue is wrapped into Georgia’s state budget, where House lawmakers have included $2 million to administer the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, known as SUN Bucks or Summer EBT. That state funding would allow Georgia to access about $143 million in federal grocery benefits for eligible families. The budget still must clear the Georgia Senate and be signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.
SUN Bucks provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible child for the summer. Children whose families already receive benefits such as SNAP, TANF, or free or reduced-price lunch programs.
More than 1.1 million Georgia children could qualify under USDA eligibility guidelines.
“That really also sets us up well for the school year. Kids who don’t have consistent access to food in the summertime don’t come to school prepared to learn. And so this is exciting to think about opportunities for educational outcomes as well,” said Kate Goodin with No Kid Hungry.
Jejuan Stewart, who runs a youth nonprofit working with families across metro Atlanta, said the need is clear when school is out, and grocery bills rise.
“We need more programs like this. The appetites don’t stop,” Stewart said.
After two years of Georgia opting out of the program, House lawmakers in both parties said the pressure on families is becoming harder to ignore.
“As a father myself, I know how much families struggle, especially with everything being more expensive these days,” said state Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican. “And to be able to help these families goes a long way.”
State Rep. Imani Barnes, a Democrat, said the federal dollars are too significant to leave on the table.
“Like most of this is paid for by the feds,” Barnes said. “We should take advantage of it while we can and take some kind of stress off of our parents during the summer.”
Kemp’s administration previously said Georgia opted out because the program lacked nutritional requirements. Asked whether that position has changed, the governor’s office said it does not comment on pending legislation.
“It is our office’s practice not to comment on pending or proposed legislation out of respect for the legislative process, but we remain committed to supporting students in need through programs such as the State’s Seamless Summer program that has provided millions of meals in past summers,” Kemp’s office said in a statement.
Stewart said she hopes the governor ultimately supports keeping the funding in the final budget.
“This is a really great way to be able to leave a mark of support as this is your last term in office,” Stewart said. “It really can change the trajectory for many children.”
The proposed funding is one line item in a budget that runs more than 200 pages. The decision now moves to the Georgia Senate, where lawmakers will determine what stays in the final budget before it reaches the governor’s desk.
About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.
