Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Health and Human Services announced Monday the state will participate in the federal SUN Bucks program, also known as Summer EBT, beginning in 2026 after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the state’s waiver to align the federal summer food program for children with Iowa’s new Healthy SNAP program.

SUN Bucks eligible families will receive $40 per child per month in grocery benefits to help ensure access to nutritious food over the summer. Reynolds has declined to participate in the federal food program due to concerns around nutrition. Iowa HHS this summer launched Healthy Kids Iowa, a pilot program that funded summer meal boxes for children through existing food sites. An initial evaluation found distribution partners faced operational challenges with the program. Reynolds said this approach helps address both “hunger and health.”

“The SUN Bucks program has lacked a focus on nutrition, which was the reason we launched the Healthy Kids Iowa pilot program last summer. The response to the healthy, fresh foods that were available for families was overwhelmingly positive, but operating the program was challenging for some food banks and pantries,” Reynolds said in the news release.

The Healthy SNAP guidelines, which go into effect Jan. 1, will exclude the purchase of taxable foods such as candy, soda and some prepared foods. 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.