As school cafeterias close for the summer, children’s advocates are reminding Colorado parents that they may qualify for a program that helps ensure kids continue to have access to nutritious food.

The Summer EBT program provides money to help families stretch their food budgets on a card that can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets.

Graciela Guillen, applied policy and economic justice coordinator with Hunger Free Colorado, said most eligible kids will be automatically enrolled, but families still have time to apply if they are not.

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“Colorado’s Summer EBT program gives families a one-time $120 grocery benefit for each eligible child over the summer, for when kids aren’t getting the meals that they would usually eat at school,” Guillen said.

Families earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level — slightly more than $59,000 a year for a family of four — are likely to qualify.

Parents can find out if their child is automatically enrolled, or if they should apply for 2026 benefits, by using a new Summer EBT Enrollment Checker on the Colorado Department of Human Services website. Help is also available by calling the Summer EBT support center at 800-536-5298.

Guillen said children who eat healthy meals throughout the summer arrive back at school in the fall ready to learn. She pointed to studies showing that access to nutritious food when school is out can prevent summer learning loss, lead to higher graduation rates and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

“Investing in children’s nutrition helps them be successful in their education," she said, "and they’ll be able to get a higher-paying job and hopefully, in the future, not have to depend on benefits like this.”

All children 18 or younger can eat for free at recreation centers, churches, day camps and other sites participating in the USDA’s Summer Meals Program. People can find a site nearby by visiting kidsfoodfinder.org.

Guillen said no application or proof of income is required.

“Summer tends to be one of the hungriest times for families because kids are home,” she said. “Summer is high activity time, and they’re playing, and kids are growing, and they’re eating a lot.”