Gov. Reynolds Says Iowa will Join SUN Bucks Program in 2026

Starting in the summer of 2026, low-income Iowa families will have a new tool to fight hunger during the summer months. Governor Kim Reynolds and the Department of Health and Human Services announced today that Iowa will officially participate in the federal “SUN Bucks” program, also known as Summer EBT. The move comes after the USDA approved a specific waiver for the state. This waiver allows Iowa to align the federal program with its own “Healthy SNAP” guidelines. That means beginning in 2026, families will receive 40 dollars per child, per month, in grocery benefits during the summer. But there is a catch that sets Iowa apart. These benefits are strictly for “healthy foods.” Think grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Under the new state guidelines, these funds cannot be used to buy taxable items like candy, soda, or certain prepared foods. Governor Reynolds previously opted out of the program due to concerns over a lack of nutritional focus. In a statement today, she said, “Food assistance programs that are nutrition-focused do more to help low-income Iowans by addressing both hunger and health.” She noted that a pilot program last summer showed a high demand for fresh foods but proved difficult for local food banks to manage. HHS Director Larry Johnson says this move provides families with much-needed flexibility while ensuring children have access to healthy meals year-round. Most eligible children—those already in SNAP, the Family Investment Program, or receiving free and reduced-price school meals—will be enrolled automatically. This EBT program will run alongside the existing “SUN Meals” program, which served over 3 million meals at 500 sites across Iowa last summer. For those not automatically enrolled, applications will open in early 2026. You can find more details on the Iowa Health and Human Services website.