SUN Bucks, also known as Summer-EBT, is a new benefit that many California families will soon be able to use.
“It’s basically free money to buy food,” said Maritza Pérez, health education specialist with the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health.
The program will help families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals or who receive CalFresh, CalWORKs or Medi-Cal.
District officials tell me that more than 5,000 students are eligible within the Lucia Mar Unified School District.
In San Luis Obispo County, Public Health encourages those who qualify to visit certain farmers markets that will offer up to a $20 match for anyone who uses SUN Bucks or another EBT card to purchase their groceries.
“You can use this new program, Sun Bucks, at farmers markets and get healthy food on your plate and also support local farmers,” Perez said. “So it’s a win-win for his family and also for the local farmers.”
I spoke with some farm stand owners at the Arroyo Grande Farmers Market on Wednesday, who say it’s been a slow year for business.
“Most of the past years, I feel like we sold more than we do now,” said Norma Romero of Bautista Farms.
“So far, business has been up and down,” added Freddy Andrés of Three Brothers Farm.
The program supports local farmers such as Romero, who says visiting the farmers’ market is also a great opportunity for parents to encourage healthy diets.
“I see a lot of people who come with their kids and they like peas and then they like carrots,” Romero said. “And most of the time you don’t see it because, like at grocery stores, they like candy and they want candy instead of strawberries or peas.”
Regular shoppers like Ren Jolly say they prefer to shop at farmers markets.
“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve gotten to go to farmers’ (markets) and just taste the difference,” Jolly said. “There’s a stigma that farmers’ markets cost more and they don’t. “I spend less at farmers markets.”
Qualifying families will receive $120 in SUN dollars per child while school is out over the summer.
“We really want to make sure families don’t waste this fantastic new program that will save them money this summer,” Perez explained.
Families with children ages 0-22 who qualify for free or reduced-price meals but do not receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or CalWORKs benefits can apply for SUN Bucks by completing a school meals application or alternative income form by August 31. August 2024. For more information about benefits, click here.
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