SUN Summer Nutrition Programs For Kids
Youth, 18 and under, can enjoy SUN Meals onsite together at community locations when school is out. Summer meal sites offer food, fitness, and fun for kids and teens! Find a summer meal site near you by visiting SummerMeals4NCKids.org/findmeals.
SUN Meals To-Go can be picked up or delivered for youth, 18 and under, during the summer. SUN Meals To-Go can be offered in some rural areas where transportation to a summer meal site may be difficult. Also called non-congregate meals, sponsors may provide multiple meals at a time. Learn if there is a SUN Meals To-Go site near you by visiting SummerMeals4NCKids.org/findmeals.
Families can receive $120 in SUN Bucks grocery-buying benefits per eligible school-aged child on a debit-like card to buy nutritious food during the summer at grocery stores, farmers markets and some online retailers. Learn more and find out if your child is eligible at ncdhhs.gov/SUNBucks.
Our team traveled across North Carolina to visit several sponsors in summer 2025. Watch our playlist below highlighting some amazing programs across our state!
How to Find Meals for Kids Near You:
Use the new NC Site Finder Map: Click Here!
Check your local school’s website or social media for the latest info
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can receive free summer meals?
Children and teens, ages 18 and younger, are eligible to receive free summer meals.
Where are free meals offered?
Free summer meals are available at more than 2,300 locations in North Carolina. Use the NC Site Finder Map, from the NC Department of Public Instruction, to locate summer meal sites near you! Summer meal sites are safe places for kids and teens to go, such as schools, faith-based facilities, camps, parks, libraries, and community centers.
Do I need to apply to receive free meals for children?
Parents and guardians do not need to apply to the Summer Nutrition Program to receive free summer meals for their children 18 and under. For some sites that serve Meals To-Go (non-congregate meals), pre-registration is strongly encouraged to ensure enough meals can be available. See site details for more information.
Are registration or ID required?
No ID is needed for kids to eat meals in person if the sites are open to the general public. However, organizations sponsoring SUN Meals To-Go may ask for parents to register for meal pick up or delivery.
When are free meals offered for children?
Free nutritious meals are available June through August each year when traditional school is out.
Where can I learn more about SUN Bucks?
SUN Bucks is back for 2026! Visit ncdhhs.gov/SunBucks to learn more about SUN Bucks in North Carolina.
Note: Most summer meal site information is only available late-May through August in North Carolina, which is when most K-12 schools are closed for summer break. The meal site list is updated weekly.
Contact Information
This site is a collaboration between the NC Department of Public Instruction and the Carolina Hunger Initiative at UNC-Chapel Hill.
