Colorado Launches SNAP Produce Bonus Program: Up to $60 Monthly for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

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New USDA-Supported Program Offers Up to $60 in Monthly Incentives for SNAP Participants

Colorado has introduced a new initiative aimed at helping Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Starting on August 1, the SNAP Produce Bonus program offers a dollar-for-dollar match on qualifying produce purchases, up to $20 psuner transaction and $60 per month. This USDA-backed effort, announced by the Food and Nutrition Service, seeks to make healthy food more accessible to low-income families while promoting better eating habits.

The SNAP Produce Bonus program is part of a larger federal initiative to incorporate health-focused incentives into the SNAP system. Colorado received nearly $8 million in funding from the USDA to launch the program, making it the second state, after Washington, to adopt such an initiative. The program partners with local grocers, farmers’ markets, and other local food producers to automatically apply the incentives to participants’ qualifying purchases. No separate registration is required, making the benefits easy for families to access while also supporting local businesses and farmers.

USDA Research Highlights Benefits of Produce Incentives for Food Security

According to USDA research, incentive programs like the SNAP Produce Bonus effectively encourage SNAP recipients to consume more fruits and vegetables. Colorado’s program is expected to improve nutrition security by making it more affordable for families to purchase healthy foods. Similar programs, such as the Double-Up Food Bucks initiative, have also shown success in expanding access to fresh produce.

In addition to food incentives, other financial aid programs are making a difference, including a universal basic income initiative in New York that provides $1,400 per family for two years. These efforts reflect a growing commitment to improving food security and supporting those in need across the country.

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