Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has confirmed the state will rejoin the federal SUN Bucks food assistance program (also known as Summer EBT) for summer 2026, reversing her administration’s earlier decision to opt out. The program provides grocery support to eligible families during school holidays, when children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals.
Reynolds previously launched a state-run alternative called Healthy Kids Iowa, which distributed pre-packed boxes of food at designated pick-up points. That model will now be set aside in favor of a revised version of the federal plan that aligns with the state’s new nutritional restrictions on food purchases made through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Nutritional Focus Drives Program’s Return
According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 259,300 Iowans currently receive SNAP benefits, nearly two-thirds of them are families with children. Starting in 2026, these families will receive an additional $120 per eligible child through SUN Bucks during the summer months, delivered as a one-time benefit on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
Governor Reynolds said the decision to rejoin SUN Bucks was made after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved Iowa’s request to apply the state’s newly adopted Healthy SNAP guidelines to the federal summer benefit. These rules limit purchases of certain foods, including sugary drinks and snack items. “Food assistance programs that are nutrition focused do more to help low-income Iowans by addressing both hunger and health,” Reynolds stated in her announcement.
Previously, Iowa had cited nutritional concerns as the primary reason for opting out of the program for two consecutive years. While the Healthy Kids Iowa pilot aimed to offer healthier options, its execution faced obstacles. According to Governor Reynolds, food banks and pantries encountered “logistical challenges,” and access to distribution sites was limited, especially in rural communities.
Broad Support Despite New Spending Limits
Participation in the updated SUN Bucks program will now mirror Iowa’s new SNAP restrictions, which go into effect on January 1, 2026. According to Iowa’s tax code and administrative rules, families will no longer be able to use their benefits to buy items such as soda, candy, and certain prepared foods. The state is among 18 nationwide implementing similar nutritional modifications.
While some advocacy groups had initially criticized Iowa’s decision to forgo federal aid, the latest move has been welcomed. Luke Elzinga, chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, described the policy shift as “a huge win… for the quarter of a million kids who will now have access to this program.” A recent survey also indicated that 57 percent of families preferred receiving Summer EBT over food boxes.
State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott noted that last year’s Healthy Kids Iowa initiative only reached 30,000 of the 240,000 children who were eligible. She said the return to the federal model is a more efficient solution, adding that “It’s much better to return to the summer EBT program that allows families buy healthy groceries in the communities where they live.” Details on enrollment and eligibility will be released by state agencies in early 2026, according to Iowa Health and Human Services. Until then, officials say preparations are underway to ensure alignment with both state standards and federal oversight.
