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USDA announced today the launch of “SUN Programs: USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids,” to help improve nutrition security during the summer months. Through the suite of SUN programs, families now have more choices and convenient ways to get summer nutrition support for their children and teens with new SUN Bucks, SUN Meals, and previously launched SUN Meals To-Go. 

Para abordar aún más la inseguridad alimentaria en Puerto Rico y proporcionar recursos más equitativos a lugares remotos, el Servicio de Alimentos y Nutrición (FNS) del USDA proporcionará un mayor beneficio a las familias de Puerto Rico, en comparación con el territorio continental de los EE.UU., a través del nuevo y permanente programa de nutrición de verano para niños - conocido como Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios de Verano (EBT de verano).

To further address food insecurity in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to territory families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in Puerto Rico and provide more equitable resources to remote locations, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Puerto Rico families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in American Samoa and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to American Samoa families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer. 

To further address food insecurity in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Guam and CNMI families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer.

To further address food insecurity in Hawaii and provide more equitable resources for island communities, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will provide a higher benefit to Hawaii families, as compared to the U.S. mainland, through the new, permanent summer nutrition program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer.

USDA announced that 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four tribes plan to be the first to launch the new, permanent summer grocery benefits program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer – in summer 2024.

FNS has started receiving official notices from states and tribal nations that intend to operate the new, permanent summer nutrition assistance program for children, known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer — one of many strategies the department is leveraging to tackle child hunger when schools are closed. 

USDA is marking the end of 2023 by highlighting on-the-ground projects and partnerships that are building economic prosperity for farmers, families, and communities nationwide. 

FNS is providing nearly $3 million in grants to community colleges to expand the availability of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training programs, known as SNAP E&T, and nearly $3.5 million in additional funds to state agencies to strengthen E&T program data collection. These moves are part of a larger commitment to advance equity and improve access to SNAP E&T programs nationwide.