Governor Stein Highlights State Budget’s Investment in SUN Bucks Program at Durham Farmers’ Market
Today during National Farmers Market Week, Governor Josh Stein and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai visited the Durham Farmers’ Market to highlight the SUN Bucks program, which provides nutritious food for more than a million North Carolina children throughout the summer. While private philanthropies have stepped in during past years to help the state cover its share to activate the federal program, this year’s budget includes state funding to operate SUN Bucks in the summer of 2027.
“Every child in North Carolina should have access to nutritious food, no matter the time of year,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I’m proud that our state budget funds SUN Bucks next summer and puts food on the table for more than one million kids across North Carolina. This is a critical investment in our children and families, and it helps us continue building a stronger, healthier North Carolina for all.”
“Access to nutritious food is key to a child’s health and well-being,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “SUN Bucks gives families resources to provide healthy meals for their children when school meals are not available during the summer. We are proud to work alongside our federal, state, and philanthropic partners to reach more than one million children and help ensure North Carolina families have the support they need.”
“We are proud to support SUN Bucks because every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy and ready to succeed,” said Damon Circosta, Executive Director of the AJ Fletcher Foundation. “SUN Bucks strengthens children, families, and communities across North Carolina.”
Last month, Governor Stein signed into law North Carolina’s first full state budget in more than two years, and the budget fully funds SUN Bucks for the summer of 2027. The SUN Bucks program delivers a 25:1 return on investment, with the state receiving $25 from the federal government for every dollar contributed, ultimately bringing about $125 million to North Carolina families with children for food each summer.
In January, because the state did not pass a budget last year, Governor Stein announced that SUN Bucks for the summer of 2026 would be funded by a public-private partnership including a cross-sector collaboration among the USDA, NCDHHS, and the NC Department of Public Instruction. Organizations that supported the State of North Carolina in offering SUN Bucks include:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
- The Duke Endowment
- Coca-Cola Consolidated
- Dogwood Health Trust
- Bryson Foundation
- New Hanover Community Endowment
- AJ Fletcher Foundation
- Brighthouse Financial
North Carolina families eligible for SUN Bucks receive a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child that can be used to purchase nutritious food at retailers and farmers markets that accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, including most major grocery stores in North Carolina. SUN Bucks is one of three NC Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs for Kids, ensuring children have access to healthy meals during the months school is out. One in five North Carolina children live in households without consistent access to food.
Families can learn if a child is eligible for SUN Bucks by taking the interactive eligibility quiz here. Families can check household income eligibility for SUN Bucks here.
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