Thousands of families are once again confronting a familiar problem as summer vacation starts and school cafeterias remain closed across the state. These families ask: how to ensure food access outside the academic calendar. To help address the shortfall, New Mexico is expanding its involvement in the federal SUN Bucks program.
SUN Buck is a summer grocery benefit, giving eligible families with $120 per child to buy food while school is out. State officials say the program — also known nationally as Summer EBT — supports more than 270,000 students statewide this year. The initiative is funneling millions of dollars into households coping with rising grocery prices and inflation.
“Summer should be a time when children can rest and grow, not a season of hunger,” the state’s Health Care Authority said in announcing the program.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham wrote on her social media post: “Know a family who could use a little help this summer?
Most families, however, need not apply. Children who already qualify for the free or discounted student meal program are enrolled automatically. Automatic enrollment will also cover those who receive benefits through programs such as SNAP or TANF. Foster youth, homeless children, migrant students, and some Medicaid recipients may also qualify with no additional paperwork.
The state has also opened an online application portal for the 2025–2026 cycle for families who do not qualify for automatic enrolment to the program.
The subsidies come at a moment when food insecurity is having an ongoing impact on working households across New Mexico, especially in rural communities. Officials say most parents are still unaware that the benefit exists.
SUN Bucks specifically replaces the school meals children lose during summer break, unlike conventional welfare programs. The state released the money via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. Recipients can use the cards to purchase groceries at authorized retailers.
State officials are encouraging schools, churches, nonprofits, and community organizations to help the information dissemination campaign before summer deepens. They also reminded families that unused benefits expire after 122 days.
The official SUN Bucks information page is available through the New Mexico Health Care Authority website. Families can submit their applications through YES New Mexico.