How to get free summer meals for your kids in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports more than 900,000 students in the state rely on school meal programs. When school is out, those children then turn to the Summer Meals Programs for no cost meals.

Families in need of summer meals at no cost for their young children and teens can:

• Text “Food” to 304-304 for information in English or “COMIDA” to 304-304 for information in Spanish.
• Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) (Spanish)
• Visit the N.C. Site Finder Map, by clicking here.
• Or learn more at DPI’s Summer Meals site.

In addition to nutritious meals, N.C. Summer Meals Programs provide fitness and fun through educational enrichment.

N.C. Summer Meals Programs are administered by NCDPI, with federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Summer Meals Programs are typically located in economically distressed areas to serve the most food-insecure, vulnerable students.

Meal sites may be located at schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, medical centers, faith-based facilities, libraries and other locations. Meals are served to eligible children at no cost. Registration and ID are not required.

A new food assistance program, SUN Bucks is available this summer. Through SUN Bucks, sometimes referred to as Summer EBT, families will receive a one-time payment of $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-aged child to purchase nutritious foods.

Most eligible children automatically qualify for the SUN Bucks program if they have been approved for free or reduced-price meal benefits during the school year and no further action may be needed. For children who do not automatically qualify but may be eligible, NCDHHS will send an email, text message or ROBO call to families with instructions on how to apply.

The SUN Bucks application and instructions to apply are also available on the NCDHHS website. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2024, to be processed for the 2024 summer period. To learn more, visit the SUN Bucks website.