SUN Bucks, previously known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a summer benefit program from the US Department of Agriculture. It helps income eligible qualifying children to receive an additional $40 per month for three (3) months during the summer. This allows their parent(s) or guardian(s) to purchase additional groceries when school is out.

This program has been created to help boost access to nutritious food in response to the increased need seen once school meals end. Not only would SUN Bucks ensure approximately 107,000 children in Idaho access to nutritious food during the summer, but it also would help prevent some of the learning loss low-income children experience during the summer related to inadequate nutrition. SUN Bucks would also help children in rural Idaho when they are not close to a SUN Meals or SUN Meals-To-Go site.

The IHRTF is committed to pushing for the state of Idaho to pass SUN Bucks.

Six things to know about Summer EBT

Frequently asked questions

A Medicaid 1115 waiver is funding authorized by the Social Security Act for experimental, pilot, or demonstration projects that may help these national health insurance programs better achieve their objectives.  

IHRTF is dedicated to ensuring the utility and sustainability of the Produce Prescription Programs in Idaho by advocating for Medicaid and Medicare 1115 Waivers.

California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Oregon are using Medicaid 1115 waivers to cover the costs of PRx for individuals on that healthcare plan.

IHRTF is adamant about increasing the SNAP eligibility criteria from 135% to 150%, making it easier for populations at high risk for food insecurity to access SNAP:

• College students

• Active-duty military families

• Legal immigrants, DACA participants, and asylum seekers

• Eliminating the assets requirement for SNAP.

We also feel the window of time in which states must process SNAP applications needs to be shortened from 30 days to 14 days and stringently enforce this rule with penalties for states that don’t.

An exciting program the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force is in the process of exploring and developing is I-CAN (Idaho Community Action Network).

The goal of the I-CAN program is to empower community members with lived experience and expertise to develop the leadership, advocacy, and community organizing skills to stand up for their rights and speak out on their own behalf.

I-CAN members will play leadership roles in the effort to promote food security by:

• Visiting and educating elected officials as well as advocacy;

• Speaking out to the national and local news media; and

• Presenting at and attending community events.

These efforts push to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food and fresh produce. I-CAN members will meet to train and take action. The Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force offers a series of trainings and leadership development opportunities including:

• Help through emergency food;

• Basics of government and the legislative process;

• Economics, poverty, and food insecurity;

• Communication techniques and public speaking; and

• Letter writing and phone banking.

In Idaho, 1 in 4 Native Americans are classified as food insecure. We are dedicated to reducing this number. Our top priority is to ensure that our Idaho Tribes have sustainable access to healthy food. So far, we have helped integrate SUN Meals and SUN Meals to-go (summer meals programs), coordinated with local partners to donate food, and expanded food pantries. We are continuing to support the expansion of food pantries and health clinics.

Nearly half (45%) of college students are experiencing food insecurity. In Idaho there are 15 institutes of higher education, 11 offering 4-year degrees. With rising rates of tuition, meal plans, books, and so much more, college students are experiencing a consistent and immense financial burden.

IHRTF is dedicated to combating this issue. The University Food Security partnership brings together college staff and faculty of Idaho colleges and universities to address food insecurity on their campuses.

Interested in joining this group? Email us at info@idahohunger.org

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is a competitive grant program authorized through the 2018 Farm Bill, allocating funding that is to be appropriated over a 5 year period. Since 2019, GusNIP have allocated over $270M to fund 197 projects throughout the U.S.

GusNIP allows funding opportunities for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables.

IHRTF is in the process of applying to expand our RxFFV program, however due to the sales tax on groceries in Idaho we are currently unable to submit. GusNIP stipulates that sales tax must not be charged on purchases using incentives. The Task Force is educating key decision makers in Idaho on the benefits of eliminating the grocery sales tax, and discussing at the federal level how states lack control over this policy.

The Universal School Meals Program Act provides funding to ensure access to breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner year-round for daycare and school children. It, thus, prevents kids living in poverty from going hungry. IHRTF believes all Idaho kids deserve nutritious meals that help them be healthy and do their best in school. The current School Meals Programs are inadequate and passage of universal school meals legislation is needed to resolve this issue.