In Louisiana, summer meals are now more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the needs of families. Thanks to strong community partnerships and innovative strategies, families have more options to access the food they need during the summer months.
When schools close for the summer, thousands of children can lose access to the nutritious meals they depend on during the school year.SUN Bucks, helps bridge this gap by providing families with additional resources to keep children fed when school is out. The program can complement free summer meals in communities or be a support for families that live in areas that don’t have access to free summer meals.
SUN Bucks has added a critical layer of support to summer nutrition efforts. Launched nationwide in 2024, the program served approximately 21.3 million children across 37 states, the District of Columbia, all five U.S. territories, and two Indian Tribal Organizations. This year, participation has expanded to 37 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, all five U.S. territories, and five Indian Tribal Organizations.
No Kid Hungry Louisiana applauds our leaders in making child nutrition a priority and ensuring SUN Bucks helps eligible children access meals during the summer months.
In Louisiana, eligible families will receive $120 in grocery benefits, benefiting over 600,000 children statewide. The deadline for families to apply for benefits is August 8th.
Help families in your community access these critical summer grocery benefits! Encourage families to visit nokidhungry.org/help to learn more about the SUN Bucks program and find summer meal resources in their area.
No Kid Hungry Louisiana is committed to continuing this momentum. We’re partnering with schools, local community-based organizations, and state agencies to provide support, expand program reach, and ensure every child Louisiana has access to the nutrition they need this summer.
Expanding Access to Summer Nutrition: No Kid Hungry Louisiana Supports Families Through SUN Bucks
In Louisiana, accessing nutritious meals during the summer months has become more flexible, responsive, and equitable—thanks to the power of strong community partnerships and forward-thinking strategies. When schools close for the summer, many children lose access to the daily meals they rely on throughout the academic year. No Kid Hungry Louisiana, in collaboration with state leaders and local organizations, is helping to bridge this critical gap.
One of the most impactful solutions is SUN Bucks, a groundbreaking summer nutrition program launched nationally in 2024. Designed to complement free summer meal sites or support families in areas where those sites are not available, SUN Bucks provides eligible families with grocery benefits to ensure children have access to healthy meals even when school is not in session.
In its first year, SUN Bucks served approximately 21.3 million children across 37 states, the District of Columbia, all five U.S. territories, and two Indian Tribal Organizations. This year, the program’s reach has expanded to include five Indian Tribal Organizations and Puerto Rico, reinforcing its role as a vital layer of support for families nationwide.
In Louisiana alone, over 600,000 children are expected to benefit from SUN Bucks in 2025. Eligible families will receive $120 in summer grocery benefits per child, providing meaningful support during a time when food budgets can be stretched thin. The deadline to apply for benefits is August 8, and families are encouraged to act quickly to ensure they don’t miss out.
No Kid Hungry Louisiana applauds state leaders for making child nutrition a top priority and for implementing this essential program with care and urgency. The success of SUN Bucks highlights what’s possible when public policy, community outreach, and a shared commitment to children’s well-being come together.
To support this effort, we urge community members, educators, and advocates to help spread the word. Encourage families to visit nokidhungry.org/help to learn more about the SUN Bucks program and find local summer meal resources.
No Kid Hungry Louisiana remains steadfast in our mission to end childhood hunger. We are actively partnering with schools, community-based organizations, and state agencies to expand the reach of summer nutrition programs, strengthen awareness, and ensure that every child in Louisiana has access to the food they need to grow, learn, and thrive—this summer and beyond.