SUN Bucks is a grocery benefit program to help families buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Each eligible school-age child receives a one-time payment of $120. When you spend your SUN Bucks at a Maine Harvest Bucks farmers’ market, we’ll match your SUN Bucks with Maine Harvest Bucks! That means you’ll have $120 to spend on any SNAP-eligible food, plus another $120 just for fresh fruits, raw unprocessed vegetables, and plant seedlings that will produce food.
How does SUN Bucks work?
SUN Bucks benefits are loaded onto an EBT card (also called a Pine Tree Card) and can be used to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other places that accept EBT benefits. If your child already has a Pine Tree Card, the benefits will be loaded onto it automatically.
SUNBucks is a nutrition program that has an impact beyond simple income qualifications: Most of the Maine kids receiving SUNBucks are getting it because their school participates in Maine’s wonderful universal school meals program. It’s for any kids, regardless of economic class! We know there was a bit of SUN Bucks confusion among parents and guardians who don’t qualify for income-based food assistance last year, likely tied to stigma around nutrition programs. Let’s break down that stigma together by participating in this great program and learning about Maine Harvest Bucks firsthand, because goodness knows we could ALL stand to eat more fresh Maine produce, and farmers can always use a boost in sales!
How do I get SUN Bucks?
Your child will be automatically enrolled for SUN Bucks and does not need to apply if:
They completed an application for school meal benefit and were found eligible ( all students at schools that participate in Maine’s universal school meal program have done this already)
or
Age 6-16 and part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL or identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS.
Keep an eye out! Automatically enrolled households will receive benefits starting in June on an existing Pine Tree card or on a new EBT card in the mail.
Most families will be automatically enrolled. If you haven’t received a letter in the mail by June, consider applying for SUN Bucks before August 15 if:
Your child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program, and
Your household meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meal benefit.
For more information: Maine.gov/dhhs/ofi
To apply: Go to MyMaineConnection.gov or fill out a paper application at Maine.gov
Questions? Call OFI at (855) 797-4357 option 5
Don’t wait to use your benefits! SUN Bucks expire after 122 days
