USDA invests $21 million to encourage SNAP families to buy healthy food options
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has made available 24 grants totaling $21 million to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has made available 24 grants totaling $21 million to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants increase their purchases of fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at the point of purchase. The funding comes from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
“We are encouraging low-income families to choose affordable and healthy food options to feed their families. NIFA has on ongoing commitment to improve the diet and health of all Americans,” said Tom Shanower, acting NIFA director. “At the same time, the program helps growers take advantage of direct marketing and other opportunities to bolster their sales thereby improving their bottom line.”
Among the grant participants this year, Wholesome Wave Georgia provides fresh local produce to Georgia’s food-insecure families through the Georgia Fresh for Less (GF4L) incentive program. GF4L wants to implement an “e-incentive” technology and expand the program into additional sites throughout Georgia.
Another program participant, The Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, will implement a “Double Up Food Bucks” (DUFB) program that provides retailers a dollar-for-dollar market match for fresh fruit and vegetable purchases by eligible SNAP participants. Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention wants to create a statewide unified DUFB program of matching markets in every region of the state.