Policy & Practice | Summer 2025

By Zahava “Zee” Zaidoff and Kara Williams

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aunching Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), also known as SUN Bucks, in 2024 was nothing short of a bold leap forward in expanding food access. A rollout of this scale, in just 18 months, required incredible coordination, problem solving, and determination. In its very first year, Summer EBT provided a lifeline to millions of families, giving school aged children increased access to nutritious food during the summer months. With $120 in grocery benefits per eligible child, the

program helped bridge the gap left by the absence of free school meals during the summer months. The numbers speak to the impact: more than 19 million children (and counting) across 37 states, the District of Columbia, all five U.S. territories, and two Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) received more than $25 billion in benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Rolling out Summer EBT at this scale was no small feat, and it’s a big win for families across the country. Building the ProgramTogether Nothing short of a team effort, one of the first major milestones came in March 2024 when the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and Share Our Strength launched the National Summer EBT Community

of Practice for government agency leaders. This initiative brought together practitioners from across 41 states, the District of Columbia, five Tribes, and one territory. Monthly virtual meetings became a platform for sharing knowl edge, strategies, and insights, which helped guide the program’s progress. Thanks to the support of key partners and their subject-matter experts on specific communities, data and technology solutions, and research, we stayed focused on best practices to strengthen the program. Bringing the Conversation In-Person But it wasn’t all virtual collaboration. Throughout 2024, three in-person events were held to provide invaluable opportunities for Summer EBT agencies to connect, collaborate, and ask questions. The year kicked off with Share Our Strength’s Summer Nutrition Summit, and in August, the program implemen tation momentum continued with an agency convening at APHSA’s Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference. To close out the year, Share Our Strength hosted a second Summer Nutrition Summit with support from APHSA. The two-day event, held in Dallas, TX, brought together more than 500 attendees, including state and Territorial agency staff, Tribes, national partners, nutrition program operators, and USDA officials that work on Summer EBT and rural non-congregate summer meal programs. The event offered a platform for agencies to share lessons and

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