Office of Governor release/Hunter
12/23/25
Governor Reynolds and Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced the state will participate in the federal SUN Bucks program (also known as Summer EBT) beginning in 2026 after being notified Friday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had approved the state’s waiver to align the summer feeding program for children with Iowa’s new Healthy SNAP program.
Iowa is one of a few states to request permission from the USDA to align allowable SUN Bucks purchases with the state’s new Healthy SNAP guidelines which go into effect January 1st. SNAP and SUN Bucks participants will be able to use the benefits to purchase healthy foods like grains, fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy to supplement families’ nutritional needs. Iowa’s guidelines will exclude the purchase of taxable foods such as candy, soda and some store prepared foods. The new guidelines support the state’s goal to combat food insecurity and support child health and development during the summer months.
SUN Bucks eligible families will receive $40 per child per month on an EBT card in grocery benefits over the summer to help ensure children have access to nutritious food while school is out.
Eligibility for SUN Bucks will be based on household income and participation in programs such as SNAP, FIP, or eligibility for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Most eligible children will be automatically enrolled. Children who aren’t automatically enrolled in the program may still be eligible for SUN Bucks based on household income and other requirements.
The SUN Bucks program builds upon the established USDA SUN Meals and SUN Meals To-Go Programs administered by the Iowa Department of Education, which provide children with healthy meals and snacks during the summer months. Additional enrollment and eligibility information will be available on the Iowa HHS website in early 2026.
The Gazette reports that Iowa’s decision to opt out of the federal program this year to establish the “Healthy Kids Iowa” pilot program reached far fewer kids than the SUN bucks program. Families were provided with $40 worth of “fresh and nutritious food” in pre-made boxes that were made available to pick up at several meal sites across the state.
From June through August, nearly 67,000 children received food packages. That number is less than a third of the estimated 220,000 Iowa children who will be eligible for federal Summer EBT benefits in 2026.