Sacramento program helps families pay for groceries. How it works, who’s eligible
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- SUN Bucks cards deliver $120 in summer grocery aid per child to Sacramento homes.
- Eligible families automatically receive cards by mail based on children's last names.
- Benefits work at 284 SNAP retailers, online platforms, and local farmer’s markets.
Sun Bucks, a grocery benefit program, is now available for California families with school-age children to purchase essentials during the summer months.
The Sun Bucks program offers Sacramento families $120, or $40 a month, for each school-aged child in a household for use at grocery stores, convenience stores, farmer’s markets and even online on platforms such as Amazon or Walmart. Benefits can be used to purchase healthy groceries and items such as milk, bread, fruits, and vegetables.
Kathy Saile, California director at No Kid Hungry, said that the benefits will help prioritize children’s wellbeing and limit learning loss they might experience if they lack proper nutrition.
Five million cards will be mailed in June and July, Saile said.
“Families don’t have to do anything,” Saile said. “The card’s going to show up in a plain envelope, and families should take advantage of this and see this as a full package during the summer.”
Three years ago, Congress approved a permanent summer EBT program for states to provide food benefits the following year.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last year that the programming would come in the form of Sun Bucks. Last year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made by California families and caregivers under the program, according to the governor’s website.
Children and families in the county currently receiving CalFresh, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, experiencing homelessness, living in foster care or attending Head Start are automatically enrolled for benefits. Those who are not are still eligible to apply until Sept. 2.
For enrolled children, the delivery of Sun Bucks cards will be based on last names alphabetically, with the first group listed under A-C receiving theirs in early June and the final group, T-Z, in late July. There are more than 61,000 children in Sacramento County eligible for the program.
Allison Harris, senior public information officer for the county, said the benefits can better address food equity gaps in the area.
“For many families in Sacramento County, summer marks the loss of the school meals that kids rely on,” Harris said. “Programs like Sun Bucks step in exactly where that gap forms, providing consistent, nutritious support. Stable access to balanced meals during summer supports healthy physical growth, strengthens immunity and reduces stress for children and families facing economic strain.”
This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
