Food Service Department – Communications
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COMMUNICATIONS / NOTICES
Important Summer Program: SUN Bucks for Eligible Families**
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to share that Massachusetts has been approved to provide SUN Bucks (formerly known as Summer EBT) benefits for the summer of 2025! This program offers a one-time grocery benefit of $120 per child for families with school-aged children who meet certain income requirements.
Key Information:
- Who is eligible? Families whose children qualify for free or reduced price lunch during the 2024-2025 school year are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. This includes students living in homes identified as homeless, migrant, runaway, or participating in Head Start.
- What is the benefit? Eligible families will receive a $120-lump sum per child to help with grocery expenses during the summer. –
- How to apply: If you are not automatically eligible, you can apply for SUN Bucks through the DTA Connect website or download a paper application. Families of currently enrolled students not matched through streamlined certification may apply for SUN Bucks benefits via the DTA Connect web-based SUN Bucks application. A paper SUN Bucks application can also be downloaded and made available to families.
- Important Note: SUN Bucks can be used alongside the Summer Eats program, which provides free meals for kids and teens throughout the summer.
For additional details and support, please visit the following links: [Massachusetts Summer EBT Program](https://www.mass.gov) [Summer EBT FAQ](https://www.mass.gov)
Thank you for your attention to this important support for our community!
Best regards,
Theresa Vernazzaro
Director of Food & Nutritional Services
FOOD SERVICES IN CARVER WIN NATIONAL USDA AWARD
The United State Department of Agriculture recently awarded the Carver Public Schools Food Service Program with a National Healthy Meals Recognition prize for “Trailblazing Innovative Improvements to make School Meals Healthier!” Cynthia Long, Deputy Under Secretary of USDA, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services sent a letter to our district to acknowledge the incredible work our food service team has done to ensure that all students receive healthy meals. The award recognizes Carver for our implementation of farm to table ingredients and cooking meals from scratch in our kitchens! The USDA honored Food Service Director, Theresa Vernazzaro as well as school kitchen managers Holly Hoffman and Rosanne Carvalho at their national summit in Las Vegas from October 21 – 23. Carver Public Schools is only one of 39 districts in the country to receive an award this year!
More information on the full press release by clicking below:
Press Release: Carver Schools Food Services Win National Award