Summer Food Support for Maine Families: SUN Bucks & SUN Meals
When school wraps up for the summer, keeping your kids fed with healthy, nutritious food shouldn't be a source of stress. To help offset rising grocery and household costs, Maine has brought back two great programs for Summer 2026: SUN Bucks and SUN Meals.
Here is everything you need to know about what these programs are, how your family qualifies, and how to use them.
1. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)
SUN Bucks provides a one-time $120 food benefit per school-aged child to help you buy groceries during the summer months.
Where to use it: Anywhere SNAP EBT is accepted, including local grocery stores and farmers markets. You can buy fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and whole grains.
When it arrives: Benefits are hitting EBT cards during the first week of June 2026.
Do I need to apply?
Most families do not need to apply. Over 99% of eligible children are enrolled automatically. You will automatically receive SUN Bucks if your child attends a school that serves National School Lunch Program meals and your family participates in any of these programs:
SNAP
TANF
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
MaineCare (with a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level)
Families experiencing homelessness or participating in migrant education programs
Missed the automatic rollout? If you didn't receive your benefits in early June but believe you qualify, you can apply online through My Maine Connection or by mail. The application deadline is August 15, 2026.
How will I get my SUN Bucks?
If you already get SNAP: The $120 per child will automatically load onto your existing Pine Tree EBT card.
If you got Summer EBT/P-EBT before (but don't get SNAP now): Funds will load onto your previously issued P-EBT card.
If you are newly eligible: A brand-new card with preloaded benefits will be mailed right to your home.
Need a replacement card? If you lost your previous card, visit pinetreecard.com or call the EBT hotline at 1-800-477-7428.
⚠️ Crucial Deadlines & Card Reminders:
Activate new cards within 45 days of receiving them.
Use your benefits quickly! SUN Bucks expire approximately 4 months after they are issued, whether you've used a portion of them or not. Funds will not roll over indefinitely.
Watch out for scams: EBT scams are on the rise nationally. Never give out your PIN or card details to unverified sources.
2. SUN Meals & SUN Meals To-Go
SUN Meals complements your grocery benefits by offering free summer meals directly to children and teens ages 18 and younger. No paperwork or sign-ups are required.
Traditional Sites: Available statewide in communities where kids need nutrition support.
SUN Meals To-Go: If you live in a rural area where transportation makes it hard to visit a site, look out for convenient pick-up and delivery options.
How to find a site near you: The USDA’s Summer Meals site finder will be updated with Maine-specific locations by mid-June.
For official updates, eligibility checking, or to file an application, log into your account at My Maine Connection.
