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ORLANDO, Fla. – Groups across Florida are hoping the state will apply for next year’s summer federal food assistance program ahead of the upcoming deadline.
The program, known as SUN Bucks provides eligible families $120 per child for food during summer break.
Deputy Under Secretary for the United States Department of Agriculture, Cindy Long, said they are big believers in SUN Bucks.
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“It provides the families of children with free or reduced prices, eligible students with a grocery card with benefits that they can use at the store to buy food help make up for those meals their kids aren’t receiving at school,” Long said.
For 2024, 35 states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer EBT Program.
Florida is one of 14 states that chose not to participate in 2024.
News 6 reached out to ask why Florida did not apply for the 2024 year. The Florida Department of Children and Families sent a response which said:
“As a state, we are dedicated to making sure children have access to nutritious meals. This takes a whole of government approach that includes free and reduced lunch programs at school, providing SNAP benefits to families who qualify, and through summer break spot programs administered by FDACS. Over the past ten years, these programs have been remarkably successful. We anticipate that our state’s full approach to serving children will continue to be successful this year without any additional federal programs that inherently always come with some federal strings attached.”
Florida Department of Children and Families
The deadline is approaching to apply for the program in 2025 and organizations across the state are calling on Governor Ron DeSantis and state legislatures to do so.
“This program’s a real game changer when it comes to having all the tools in the toolbox for tackling child hunger over the really important summer months,” said Director of No Kid Hungry Florida, Sky Beard. “We had at No Kid Hungry as well as other partners a number of conversations with the folks in the Governor’s office, with House and Senate staff, and I have to say all of those conversations have been very promising.”
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According to No Kid Hungry Florida, the program would benefit an estimated 2,158,000 eligible kids.
The benefits of the program are covered 100% by the USDA. But, Florida would need to split the cost of the administrative side of the program with the federal government. No Kid Hungry said it would cost the state an estimated $12.5 million for the administrative costs.
No Kid Hungry is one of several organizations in Florida that supports the SUN Bucks program.
The Audubon Park Covenant Church signed its name at the bottom of the letter of support for the program sent to state leaders back in May.
Pastor Sarah Robinson said it was heartbreaking when the state did not apply for the program for 2024.
“We know on the ground that the demand is so much higher than it has been for food banks and for families who just need to make ends meet,” Robinson said.
Robinson said the extra money would help families during the summer.
“That can be just that little extra that helps make sure they can make it to the end of the month and provide you know young kids, growing minds, growing bodies, futures you people to fill these important jobs and roles, to make sure they have what they need to keep growing healthy,” Robinson said.
According to the USDA, the state would have to send a preliminary plan of operation by August 15.
However, Long said that plan does not have to be perfect, and they would be able to work with any state to help them get to a finalized plan.
“It really serves as much as an indication of intent to operate the program and kicks off that process of us working,” Long said.
News 6 reached out to officials to see if Florida plans on applying for the 2025 benefits, so far we have not heard back.
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Emily McLeod
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