| Project Open Hand SNAP Match Nutrition Incentive Pilot (POH SNAP Match pilot) | 1033300 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43716 | 2024 | PROJECT OPEN HAND | Tribett, Erika | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2025 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | CALIFORNIA | Project Open Hand (POH) proposes a SNAP Match Nutrition Incentive program in AlamedaCounty as a complement to our existing medically tailored nutrition intervention, with a goal toincrease consumption of culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables (FV). We aim to develop amore efficient and client-centered intervention, providing increased choice and a transition incare from more intensive medically tailored services that address highest acuity of need toincentives and engagement that facilitate improved food security and long-term behavior changefor managing nutritional health. POH will enroll 150 participants referred through CalAIMCommunity Supports and Ryan White programming and evaluate the impact of providing $70per month for six months to spend on SNAP-eligible fresh, frozen, or canned FV as $2 incentivefor every $1 of SNAP spent on any SNAP-eligible item at one of 32 Albertsons Companiesretailers in Alameda County. Participants will redeem benefits via an iQPay digital purchase card(print card available for those without a smart phone). Participants will receive automatedmessages to encourage participation. We will evaluate program usage through redemption rates,satisfaction, and feasibility of the program as a continuum of care model that provides incentivesin addition to in-house meal and/grocery services and for an extended period. We will also assessparticipant level outcomes around food security, FV intake and overall health. In addition toproviding the incentive, POH will develop a systematic process for screening clients for SNAPeligibility and supporting those eligible but not receiving the benefit by enrolling in SNAP. |
| PowerSNAP SC - a nutrition incentive pilot program for increasing access to affordable vegetables and fruits in a rural, South Carolina grocery store | 1033282 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43717 | 2024 | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY | Johnstone, Mary Beth | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2025 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $83,084.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | SOUTH CAROLINA | Programs pairing nutrition incentives with SNAP benefits are showing promise as an effective strategy to increase access and purchasing of fruits and vegetables (FV) in low-income households. While South Carolina (SC) hosts several FV incentive programs, most are redeemable only at farmer's markets or from food hubs. The goal of thisproject is to increase healthy food access, food and nutrition security, and consumption of fruits and vegetables for limited-income households by expanding FV incentives to conventional grocery stores. Clemson University will partner with Piggly Wiggly, a medium sized grocery store chain prevalent in rural SC communities along the I-95 corridor, to implement a pilot FV nutrition incentive program. The year-long program will take place in the town of Lamar in Darlington County SC and will aim to develop and evaluate two fruit and vegetable FV incentive strategies. The first strategy will implement a 16-week, dietitian curated FV box incentive along with nutrition education including healthy recipes, a grocery store tour, and opportunities to attend monthly food demonstrations. The second strategy will aim to develop and pilot a self-select FV incentive that allowshoppers to choose their FVs and will utilize a fully electronic issuance and redemption mechanism at the point of sale. For both strategies, participants are eligible to redeem the FV incentive by spending $30 on any SNAP-eligible food using their SNAP-EBT to receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to a $60 cap per month for purchasing fruits and vegetables. The project team, in collaboration with supporting state agencies, local coalitions, and other stakeholders, will develop a plan for scaling both strategies based on lessons learned and partner capacity. A major benefit of grocery store-based FV incentive programs is increased flexibility for shoppers in accessing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables year-round while shopping for food and other household items. |
| Dopble Kopble: Double Up SNAP Bucks for Local Produce in Guam | 1033277 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43714 | 2024 | UNIVERSITY OF GUAM | AFLAGUE, TANISHA | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2025 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | GUAM | This pilot project, Dopble Kopble (DK), aims to to increase access to local produce for SNAP participants to promote health and food security by doubling EBT benefits, or a 50% discount,for local produce.The DK program will work with a local community SNAP firm to create the discount EBT electronic systemin eight (8) locations during the program. There will be targeted marketing to promote the pilot program. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed using one-to-one interviews and digital surveys administered on site withSNAP/SNAP-Ed participantsand with Pay-Less Supermarkets staff . |
| FRESH FOOD FUNDS | 1033270 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43713 | 2024 | Royten`s Enrichment Academy Community Hope | ROYTEN, SHAUNA | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2025 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | CALIFORNIA | The "Fresh Food Funds" project is designed to address the critical issue of food insecurity in California City, which is exacerbated by its designation as a food desert. Residents, especially those who are economically disadvantaged, face significant challenges in accessing fresh, nutritious foods due to the lack of nearby grocery stores and unreliable delivery of fresh produce. The project aims to bridge this gap by providing culturally sensitive fresh fruits and vegetables through the Cal City Farmer's Market, supported by a pilot nutrition incentive program specifically targeting SNAP recipients. A key component of the initiative is a $1-for-$1 incentive match, up to $50 a day, for eligible SNAP purchases. This initiative is crucial not only for improving individual health outcomes but also for fostering community well-being, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability.To achieve these goals, the project will implement a variety of methods to ensure broad community engagement and effective program delivery. Key activities include partnering with local farmers to secure a steady supply of fresh produce, developing a system for distributing nutrition incentives to SNAP shoppers, and offering culturally tailored nutrition education and fitness workshops. The project will also involve regular assessments of community needs, cultural sensitivity training for staff and volunteers, and ongoing evaluation to measure the program's effectiveness and impact.The ultimate goal of the "Fresh Food Funds" project is to enhance food security, improve dietary habits, and promote holistic wellness within California City's diverse population. By increasing access to fresh produce and fostering healthier eating and lifestyle choices, the project aims to create lasting positive changes in the community. These efforts are expected to lead to significant improvements in public health, reduce food insecurity, and empower residents to advocate for their nutritional needs, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and vibrant community. |
| Banco de Alimentos- 2024 GusNIP Product Incentive FLSP Program | 1033255 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43749 | 2024 | BANCO DE ALIMENTOS PUERTO RICO, INC | Laborde, María | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2027 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $2,100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | PUERTO RICO | Puerto Rico has the highest poverty rate of any US jurisdiction at 42%: three times higher than the US average of 12.6%[1]. The island imports 85% of the food consumed, using a strictly federally regulated maritime transportation system, resulting in significantly higher food prices than the US mainland. This "triangle of food insecurity" results in food insecurity levels that triple the US average, and even higher in remote rural areas.Puerto Rico's version of the SNAP program, NAP (or PAN in Spanish), is a block-grant. Unlike SNAP, which allocates state funds according to population needs, Puerto Rico's NAP program is allocated a set block amount regardless of need. This prevents NAP from effectively responding to the nutrition assistance needs of the Island's population. Since its introduction in the 1980s, block granting has reduced participation rates and average per-household monthly allocation by a staggering 50%. On average, a 1-person NAP household receives $189/mo, while an equal household would receive $291/mo. with SNAP.These elements have resulted in food insecurity levels that are twice as high as the next highest US State (31% vs. Mississippi at 17%), and three times the US National average of 10% (Feeding America, "Map the Meal Gap, 2023.The new, proposed 2024 BAPRs GusNIP FLSP (large scale) program seeks to expand its current pilot program to communities across Puerto Rico. The program will have a 2-prong redemption approach for reaching participants:In-Person: BAPR will work with partner organizations in 9 communities across the island that are geographically distributed and were chosen due to the: higher levels food insecurity and PAN participation, geographical location (urban and rural areas), and compliance and good-standing with the BAPR. These agencies will serve as redemption hubs for nearby communities to ensure the program is made available to the most participants. They will collect purchase receipts, deliver product incentives to participants, and register data using our Feeding America neighbor intake platform "Insights". This will ensure access to participants that do not have easy access to online sources.Online: For participants with limited or no transportation, we have partnered with CPE to provide an online ordering platform, where participants can place their order, receive incentive boxes, and have everything home-delivered free of charge. Payment will be done in person through PAN EBT terminals (CPE is a PAN-approved vendor).The project includes nutrition education that will be included in all incentive boxes and will rotate monthly. We have also incorporated home agriculture education through our "Caja Verde" program. These series of seminars will educate participants on home agriculture to drive food self-sufficiency and help achieve long-term sustainability. Our fresh products Mobile Pantry program, targeted to launch 2025-26, will also provide continuity and sustainability to the purchasing behavior changes we will achieve through the 4-year grant period.Our main goal is to ensure NAP participants in Puerto Rico purchase and consume more fresh fruits and vegetables. During theprogram period we plan to distribute provide incentives to 1,000 NAP participants monthly in communities throughout Puerto Rico, including Vieques, ensuring a minimum of $1MM in purchases of fruits and vegetables with NAP dollars. This will be achieved with monthly community impacts throughout the communities and online and telephone purchases through our online portal. |
| D`Youville University Nutrition Empowerment Program | 1033253 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43721 | 2024 | D'YOUVILLE COLLEGE | Laster, Rachel | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2026 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $460,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FIP] FINI Project | NEW YORK | This GusNIP Nutrition Incentive grant proposal outlines a project led by DYU is aimed at enhancing the accessibility and affordability of healthy, local produce in Buffalo and surrounding Erie County communities, while simultaneously expanding the market for local food producers. The project's primary focus is to address food insecurity and improve health outcomes by encouraging the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among low-income residents, particularly SNAP participants. |
| Utah Double Up Food Bucks Program | 1033249 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43707 | 2024 | UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | Loots, Natalie | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2027 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $1,113,783.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | UTAH | The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Community Food Security Program (CFSP) requests $1,674,750 over a 4-year project period for the expansion and enhancement of the Utah Double Up Food Bucks Program. The goals of this proposal are 1) increase the amount of qualifying fruit and vegetables purchased by SNAP recipients using the Double Up program, 2) increase the number of Double Up participants, 3) increase the number and diversity of redemption sites, and 4) develop and employ novel and innovative strategies to facilitate efficient implementation of the program. These directly align with the USDA goals to make safe, nutritious food available to all Americans and bolster nutrition security and health.These goals will be achieved through carefully selected activities that focus on four priority populations at the highest risk of food insecurity, related chronic disease, and are the most underserved. These populations are: veterans, refugees/new Americans, indigenous communities, and the underrepresented GusNIP geography of Idaho. Recognizing the vital importance of collaboration, CFSP will deepen and expand relationships with stakeholders in these communities. These partnerships will foster the expansion of Utah Double Up direct market locations and the advent of a new Utah Double Up grocery program. CFSP will conduct rigorous evaluation to measure the impact of the program and improve program implementation in the years to come. |
| Increasing Access to Local Fruits and Vegetables in Spartanburg County, SC | 1033210 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43715 | 2024 | PARTNERS FOR ACTIVE LIVING | Farrell, Nora | 09/15/2024 | 09/14/2025 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $60,880.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | SOUTH CAROLINA | The Pal's Food Hub SNAP-Incentive project aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption of SNAP Participants in and around the City of Spartanburg. Our overall goal is to decrease chronic health conditions and give residents the opportunity to access healthy, local and fresh food. This project will increase the amount of money SNAP participants have when buying fresh produce from the Food Hub and the Farmer's Market; thus increasing access to healthy food making people healthier and decreasing chronic conditions. This project will improvethe local economy supporting a more sustainable food system. The PAL and HCR Snap incentive program will stretch $40.00 in SNAP benefits to $95.00 each week at each retailer. The customer's first $40 can be used for any SNAP-approved food, while their remaining $55 in matching funds will be spent on fresh local fruits and vegetables. This includes South Carolina's Healthy Bucks program.This pilot program will includes evidence-based practices as well as a promotional and community outreach plans. |
| Leveraging Community-Based Partnerships to Enhance Hawai'i's DA BUX SNAP Nutrition Incentives | 1033203 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43710 | 2024 | THE FOOD BASKET INC | Albrecht, Kristin Frost | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2027 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $8,405,085.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | HAWAII | The Food Basket (TFB) launched DA BUX in 2017 as a pilot SNAP nutrition incentive programin Hawaii County. Since its statewide expansion in 2020 to all four counties, DA BUX has been available year-round, offering a 50% discount on Hawaii grown fruits and vegetables (FV) for SNAP households. While DA BUX has expanded rapidly since our pilot, several assessments surveying SNAP participants show there are several barriers to participation. The following project goals and objectives were strategically crafted to respond to SNAP participant feedback. Goal 1-ACCESS: Increase SNAP participant access to affordable Hawaii grown fruits and vegetables by (1) expanding DA BUX to 19 new food retailers, and (2) supporting Food Hubs to accept SNAP payment online. Goal 2-AWARENESS: Increase purchasing of Hawaii grown fruits and vegetables among SNAP participants by increasing promotion and awareness of DA BUX through implementing (1) new online cashier training modules, and (2) a SNAP-participant informed public marketing campaign. Goal 3-USAGE: Increase consumption of Hawaii grown fruits and vegetables available through DA BUX by delivering free farm-to-table, nutrition education through (1) distribution of culturally-relevant, child nutrition education activity books, and (2) delivery of "Na Kuke Opio" cooking classes. TFB is uniquely positioned to execute a successful project as we are working with community-based partners to achieve each project objective, including SNAP participants, our State SNAP Agency, Hawaii Good Food Alliance, and University of Hawaii SNAP-Ed program. The outcomes achieved from this project aim to enhance the long-term viability of DA BUX implementation. |
| Deepening Double Up Food Bucks Oregon: Reaching Diverse, Underrepresented Communities at Farmers Markets, Farm Stands, CSAs and Grocery Stores | 1033196 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43718 | 2024 | FARMERS MARKET FUND | Ward, Rachael | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2026 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $5,358,439.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | OREGON | Farmers Market Fundand partners will increase Oregon SNAP participants' purchase and consumption of local fruits and vegetables by expanding the successful Double Up Food Bucks(DUFB). SNAP participants at 101 farmers markets, 26 farm stands, 55 grocery stores, and 70 CSAs in all 36 of Oregon's counties will receive a dollar for dollar incentive at the point of purchase in 2025 and 2026. The expansion targets diverse outlets in high need areas to support families and farmers statewide.This project will: 1) Sustain and grow one of the largest and most successful nutrition incentive programs in the country; 2) Increase purchase and consumption of locally grown produce and culturally relevant foods at a diverse selection of retailers by incorporating education around food waste reduction, food preservation, and nutrition; 3) Provide tailored support to retailers to reduce barriers to DUFB participation, especially in high need areas including rural and tribal communities; 4) Coordinate with multiple stakeholders including state, regional, and grassroots organizations to increase program participation in underrepresented communities, especially racially and ethnically diverse populations. 5) Test innovative outreach strategies including four community led regional advertising campaigns to contribute to broader understanding of how to reach low-income populations; and 6) Explore and pilot efficient incentive redemption models to increase DUFB participation and usability.This program is led by Farmers Market Fund, a nonprofit who has coordinated Oregon SNAP matching programs since 2012. It builds off of the groundwork laid by their previous FINI and GusNIP grants |
| New Jersey Statewide Good Food Bucks SNAP Nutrition Incentive Program; A GusNIP Large Scale Projects (FLSP) | 1033191 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43708 | 2024 | CITY GREEN INC | Papa, Jennifer | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2027 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $2,048,422.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | NEW JERSEY | City Green's NJ Statewide Good Food Bucks SNAP Nutrition Incentive Program, in operation since 2011, currently offers nutrition incentives reaching over 15,000 NJ-SNAP beneficiaries each year, who redeem an average of $175,000 in SNAP incentives annually. The program is operated out of 40+ farmers market and grocery store partners across 20 New Jersey counties. City Green's Large Scale GusNIP (FLSP) project aims to increase the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants by providing nutrition incentives at the point of purchase. Our proposed project will build on City Green's 13+ years of successful incentive program implementation and scaling in New Jersey. We will: deepen the program's reach in New Jersey's food desert communities by adding additional farm and retail partners; improve customer experience, nutrition education, and program usage through targeted marketing and enhanced point of sale technologies; and poise nutrition incentives for long-term sustainability in New Jersey through research exploration of an electronic EBT-integration program model in partnership with the Department of Human Services. Through these efforts, more New Jerseyans in every county will have increased access to healthy fresh fruits and vegetables resulting in improved health outcomes for individuals and communities, farmers and grocers will earn additional income, and New Jersey's food system will be more equitable and resilient. |
| Double Up Texas: Expanding Reach, Deepening Impact | 1033184 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43711 | 2024 | SUSTAINABLE FOOD CENTER INC | Thornton, Hannah | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2028 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $8,699,885.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | TEXAS | Between 2022-2023, Double Up Texas (DUTX), the statewide nutrition incentive program led by Sustainable Food Center distributed $889,115 in incentives to an average of 41,807 SNAP households supporting over 500 Texas producers. The proposed project supports the next phase of DUTX, aiming to:1) Increase nutrition security among Texas SNAP participants by expanding DUTX nutrition incentives into at least two grocery stores in all 11 Texas public health regions;2) Increase produce sales of Texas farmers by expanding DUTX nutrition incentives into at least three farm direct sites in all 11 TX HHSC public health regions; and increasing local sourcing in at least two DUTX grocery partners;3) Increase participation across all DUTX sites through novel, regionally relevant, direct-to-consumer marketing tactics; and4) Increase consumption of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables among SNAP households by providing culturally relevant nutrition and cooking education to DUTX participants.During the 48-month project period, SFC and its partners will provide more than $5.2 million in nutrition incentives to Texas SNAP households, with intentional efforts to expand the program to currently underserved areas, including East TX (Regions 4-6), West TX (Regions 1,2,9), and the Rio Grande Valley (Region 11).The proposed project supports the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program purpose and priorities by increasing SNAP household participation in nutrition incentive programs at participating firms through proven and effective direct-to-consumer marketing and building the operational capacity of participating firms, Texas farmers, and partners to implement successful incentive programs for underserved and/or underrepresented communities in Texas. |
| Closing the Gap: Equitable Approaches to Statewide Nutrition Incentive Program Expansion and Impact in Ohio | 1033181 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43712 | 2024 | PRODUCE PERKS MIDWEST INC | Foreman, Tevis | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2026 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $2,852,190.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | OHIO | Produce Perks Midwest and the Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network will complete a two-year nutrition incentive project aimed at developing equitable approaches to statewide expansion and impact of Produce Perks, Ohio's SNAP-matching nutrition incentive program. Losses in SNAP benefits and a significant rise in food costs have affected Ohio's 1.3 million SNAP recipients. In response, this project aims to deepen the impact within underserved communities, ensuring equitable access and participation.The project will generate $2.7M in fruit and vegetable purchases, engage 15 BIPOC-owned food businesses, expand to 25 new sites, increase incentive transactions by 20% and redemption rates by 45%, and establish community engagement practices.Goals include:1) Develop community engagement practices to nurture lasting, authentic community relationships and increase beneficiary satisfaction;2) Equitably deepen impact within underserved communities and underutilized sites;3) Increase equity within program impact, with a specific focus on enhancing racial equity and improving access to programming for underserved communities; 4) Increase cross-agency collaboration and resource sharing for statewide infrastructure development and eventual transition towards technology advancements.Activities include establishment of a Community Advisory Group, development of a Steps-To-Success tool to boost program utilization at lower performing sites, implementation of community-informed outreach strategies to increase awareness and repeat users, partnership building with BIPOC-owned food businesses, and state agency partnership building and joint needs assessments.This project represents a concerted effort among Ohio stakeholders to address food insecurity and build a more equitable food system for all Ohioans.? |
| Iowa Double Up Food Bucks | 1033166 | NIFA Non Formula | 2024-70415-43709 | 2024 | IOWA HEALTHIEST STATE INITIATIVE | Brooks, Jazzmine | 09/01/2024 | 08/31/2027 | 2024 | ACTIVE | $4,820,792.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | IOWA | The proposed large-scale, GusNIP program, Strengthening Double Up Food Bucks Utilization in Iowa (I- DUFB) fully aligns with GusNIP goal to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in SNAP by providing incentives at the point of purchase.To increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants, I-DUFB will provide SNAP participants with a dollar-for-dollar match incentive, up to $15 per visit for fresh fruits and vegetables purchased at the point of sale at 96 participating locations including Iowa farmers' markets/stands, and retail grocery stores. I-DUFB aims to address Iowa's SNAP participants' barriers to purchasing/consuming fruits and vegetables by providing the financial incentive to purchase more fruits and vegetables using innovative incentive redemption, engaging with independent grocers to increase access to culturally relevant produce, and enhancing outreach and education through the creation of a food navigator program. |
| Double Up Oklahoma | Expanding access to fruits and vegetables for low-income Oklahomans | 1031725 | NIFA Non Formula | 2022-70415-41628 | 2024 | HUNGER FREE OKLAHOMA INC | Comeau, Richard | 06/01/2023 | 08/31/2026 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $13,841,590.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | OKLAHOMA | Oklahoma is one of the most food and nutrition insecure states in the U.S., ranking 49th in fruitand vegetable consumption, combined with some of the poorest health outcomes nationwide.Over 816,000 individuals utilized SNAP benefits in 2021, or just over 21% of the poulation.The proposed four-year Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) project seeks to increase produceconsumption and improve nutrition security for SNAP participants by incentivizing fruit andvegetable purchases, as well as improve community access to local produce, at the point-of-sale.Hunger Free Oklahoma will achieve these goals by increasing the number of firms participatingin DUO, expanding to sites in urban and rural low-income low-access areas, increasing DUOredemption rates, increasing the amount of local produce purchased by DUO participating brick-and-mortar firms, expanding program awareness, and engaging SNAP participants in programevaluation.These project goals align with the GusNIP program priorities of using direct-to-consumer salesmarketing; providing locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables; demonstrated ability toprovide services to underserved communities, including communities where the majority ofresidents are racial/ethnic minorities, living below the federal poverty line and in ruralcommunities; including coordination with multiple stakeholders; including firms that are openfor extended hours and most or all days of the year; testing innovative or promising strategies;and involving a diversity of types of firms.The DUO program is administered by Hunger Free Oklahoma which has a track record ofsuccess, including growing the DUO program more than 1,564% over the last three years ofoperation. |
| Fresh5x Nutrition Incentive Program Expansion & Ready-To-Eat Produce Packs Pilot | 1031544 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41204 | 2023 | INADVANCE | ghanem, lina | 09/15/2023 | 09/17/2024 | 2023 | COMPLETE | $500,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FIP] FINI Project | CALIFORNIA | Geographically, this project focuses on West Oakland where more than half of residents live in High and Highest Priority Neighborhoods as stated by the City of Oakland Department of Transportation - Racial Equity Team. Many of West Oakland's community members face barriers to accessing produce, including but not limited to; lack of produce availability in food deserts; lack of affordable, quality produce; lack of culturally relevant varieties; lack of cooking facilities, equipment, culinary knowledge and skills; lack of physical abilities and time to prepare foods from raw ingredients. All these factors contribute to Oakland residents' higher risk for diet-related diseases. Black and Latinx children, in particular, have higher than average rates of obesity that can lead to health problems that persist into adulthood. The impact of food desert conditions on the health of children is detrimental anywhere, and the burden is heavily rested upon neighborhoods without a grocery store within walking distance. Through our work at Saba we know that corner stores are assets located within these communities. Store owners in fact want to provide healthier products, but existing hurdles are costly for them to amend single-handedly. Our organization's 120 partner stores have committed to carrying produce if systematic supply chain barriers are addressed. Our mission is to close this gap by offering produce distribution to corner stores and to provide financial assistance for residents to purchase fruits and vegetables. We intend to expand our organization's offering of Fresh5x, our nutrition incentives program, from five to ten corner stores in our produce distribution network. Open to any SNAP recipient 18 years old and older, a participant earns $5 in incentives for every $1 SNAP benefit used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the point of sale, thereby multiplying their produce purchasing power by 5x and stretching their monthly SNAP budget further. We will be using a suite of technological platforms to deliver the incentive earning and redeeming electronically and in real time. By the end of the project, we estimate Fresh5x will benefit up to 2,000 previously underserved SNAP households. By having increased dollars to purchase fresh produce, Oakland residents have a healthier alternative to processed foods, which can mitigate or lessen the impacts of diet-related diseases.Making fresh produce available for sale at SNAP recipients' local corner store meets the needs of the majority of SNAP recipients, but not all. Through our survey efforts in our participating Fresh5x corner stores, we learned that specific populations experience the barriers mentioned above more acutely; unsheltered individuals, youth who have not been exposed to fresh produce at home, and working parents who do not have time to prepare meals from scratch for their families. This provides an opportunity for us to innovate solutions that would lower some of these barriers. Through collaboration with community-based organizations that work directly with Oakland's entrepreneurs of color, we intend to test the feasibility of manufacturing two produce packs that consist of raw fruits or vegetables that have been processed and packaged into readily consumable units. The packs will be distributed through our corner stores and available to purchase by all customers. These products serve as a realistic stepping stone to incorporating fresh produce into the diet of a person experiencing barriers to accessing and consuming whole fruits and vegetables.Finally, as an intervention is more sustainable when coupled with reinforcing messages from a trusted source, we intend to recruit a team of five Community Ambassadors drawn from residents of the neighborhoods of participating firms who will conduct peer-to-peer marketing and outreach support to boost the effectiveness of Fresh5x. This hyper-local approach of engagement not only builds value to the program, it also builds a sense of pride and a commitment to collectively increase the overall wellbeing of communities that will last beyond the duration of the project. |
| WNC Farm Fresh Double SNAP Network | 1031543 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41207 | 2023 | APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT | Nicholie, Molly | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2026 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $1,091,135.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | NORTH CAROLINA | WNC Farm Fresh Double SNAP Network will improve food security and access by connecting people to local food- and farm- centered environments in Western North Carolina (WNC), a region in the Southern Appalachian Mountains where residents grapple with high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and poor health outcomes. By creating a regional Network for implementing SNAP incentive programs across WNC, the Network will test an innovative "community adaptive model" for existing and new local firms that centralizes technical assistance, outreach and promotion efforts, and data tracking and management but can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each community. The model will ensure new processes can be built into existing community-based initiatives by optimizing connections for expanded engagement/impact. Lead applicant Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has two decades of experience understanding WNC's food economy; ASAP and partners MountainWise and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture have demonstrated success operating SNAP incentive programs at a combined 26 WNC firms. Objectives: 1) Implement Double SNAP incentives across 38 firms to increase consumption of local fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients; 2) Support firms to be positive food environments that foster direct connections between farmers/consumers; 3) Develop and implement a regional outreach/promotion plan to bolster program participation and positive behavior changes. The Network Advisory Council, which includes community partners representing vulnerable populations, will play a key role in supporting successful implementation of the community adaptive model. This will ensure Network processes, outreach, and engagement align with community needs. |
| Fresh Access to Puerto Rico: increasing fruit and vegetable purchases for NAP participants | 1031542 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41190 | 2023 | FUNDACION MMM INC | Haeussler, Carla | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $500,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FIP] FINI Project | PUERTO RICO | Puerto Rico imports 88% of its food and produce. Food insecurity, as recently evidenced after Category-5 Hurricane Maria, is a real issue impacting 3.2 million US citizens in the waterlocked Island. The transportation and distribution of food can be impacted by factors such as weather events and infrastructure limitations. in recent years, the Island has faced a range of environmental and economic challenges, including devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, and COVID-19, as well as a long-standing debt crisis that has limited investment in local agriculture and food systems. Despite the Island's tropical climate and fertile soil, the aforementioned environmental and economic challenges have caused significant difficulties in accessing healthy and affordable food options, particularly among NAP participants. According to the Puerto Rico NAP State Plan of Operations FY 2023 from the Administration for the Socioeconomic Development of the Family Department of Family Affairs, there are currently 836,816 households participating in the Food and Nutrition Act program (NAP). These households are comprised of 1,482,295 individuals who are receiving essential support through the NAP program representing a staggering 46.03% of Puerto Rico's population. The goal of the program is to implement an incentive program to encourage the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables, thereby increasing access to healthy food options for NAP participants on the Island, while also supporting the local food economy.Foundation MMM in partnership with key stakeholders including NAP approved online grocery store Fresh House, LLC, will implement a Nutrition Incentive Program throughout the Island of Puerto Rico integrating traditional outreach efforts with digital mechanisms to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by NAP participants whereas electronic incentives are provided at the points of purchase. The Fresh Access to Puerto Rico project will offer an electronic incentive program for NAP participants to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The incentives will take the form of electronic coupons that can be redeemed through Fresh House online ordering system. Participants who purchase fruits and vegetables will receive a $1 match incentive to purchase other eligible food under NAP.To ensure effective data management, our digital platform will allow us to collect purchasing data, feedback, and participant details. Purchase data will be analyzed to understand the popular products, purchasing patterns, and the effectiveness of the incentive through time. Post-purchase, participants will receive a short survey, with incentivized completion, to understand their satisfaction rate, the ease of using the incentive, produce consumption patterns and suggestions for improvements. These evaluations will be conducted periodically, allowing us to pivot our efforts, if necessary. They relate directly to our desired outcome of increased produce purchases among NAP participants, ensuring they gain maximum benefits from the program. |
| Financial incentive provided with the purchase of fruits and vegetables from local NAP approved vendors to be used in the acquisition of food products in Banco de Alimento Puerto Rico. | 1031539 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41194 | 2023 | BANCO DE ALIMENTOS PUERTO RICO, INC | Laborde, María | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2024 | 2023 | COMPLETE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | PUERTO RICO | Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico ,Inc.'s (BAPR) mission is to distribute food, as well as to provide good nourishment to the population in need, by increasing the purchase of local fruits and vegetables by NAP participants in Puerto Rico. This will be achieved by providing a financial incentive with the purchase of fruits and vegetables from local NAP approved vendors to be used in the acquisition of food products at BAPR. The NAP participating Agencies will present the proof of purchase of fruits and vegetables (receipt from local NAP Approved retailer) to BAPR and they will receive a $0.50 credit for every dollar spent to receive SNAP/NAP eligible foods at the BAPR. The following is also necessary:1. Certified NAP participating commerce, must be listed by the Department of Family / ADSEF2. Detailed receipt indicating commerce, date, time, and payment method3. A minimum of ten dollars ($10.00) must be spent on fruits and vegetables4. Payment method must be the Family CardBAPR currently works with 22 agencies around the Island that take care of food insecure, poverty-stricken older adults and underserved populations. These agencies use individuals NAP benefit cards for the purchase of food products, to purchase food that they prepare to feed their participants breakfast, lunch, and dinners daily. These agencies have a tight budget and must make the most of their purchases. For this reason, fresh produce is often overlooked as produce has experienced rising prices and generally has a short shelf life. |
| Virginia Fresh Match: Adapt, Expand and Sustain the Nutrition Incentive Network through Innovative Collaboration | 1031532 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41208 | 2023 | LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGRICULTURE PROJECT, INCORPORATED | Hedges, Sam | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $1,199,142.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | VIRGINIA | Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is a statewide, collaborative network of food system leaders and community food retailers. VFM funds innovative nutrition incentive (NI) programs and provides resources to lower the cost of fruits and vegetables (FV) for people experiencing nutrition insecurity. The VFM network currently represents 117 outlets, 10 regional food access leaders, and over 20 collaborative stakeholders and state partners.The VFM plan builds upon a decade of shared experience growing strong NI programs using a peer-to-peer network of community-based programs, regional leadership and centralized support. While partnering with current and new firms in underserved areas, VFM will enhance network resources and reach in order to increase awareness, purchase, and consumption of locally grown FV among Virginia SNAP participants. This project will expand the VFM network to over 160 community food outlets, build income for local farmers, and serve additional SNAP households in low access areas.To adapt, expand and sustain the network, VFM will take a systems approach to address the complex problems of food insecurity, food access and affordability. To connect consumers and producers, VFM will collaborate with diverse regional food system partners, state agencies, and community food outlets across the state to enhance NI use in Virginia. |
| Hackensack Meridian Health Fresh Match Initiative (HMHFM) | 1031530 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41165 | 2023 | HMH HOSPITALS CORPORATION | Harris-Hollingsworth, Nicole | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $500,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FIP] FINI Project | NEW JERSEY | The Hackensack Meridian Health Fresh Match Initiative (HMHFM) will engage 2 cities, Plainfield and Perth Amboy in the eastern region of NJ. The cities of focus are both NJEDA-designated food deserts and rank 24th and 26th compared to 50 other cities in the state. Both cities are majority Hispanic/Latino with (Plainfield at 54.58% and Perth Amboy at 77.8%) Based on this designation, both cities have disproportionate rates of obesity and other health factors impacted by food such as diabetes, hypertension, and congestive heart failure.Economically, these cities have proportionately higher rates of SNAP/WIC utilizing community members, poverty rates, and unemployment by block group. These factors are coupled with low access to grocery stores and retailers that offer healthy choices with low walkability scores and remarkably low CDC modified retail food environment index scores, a measurement that takes not only food access into account but specifically healthy food access.Perth Amboy, located in Middlesex County, is in the 98th percentile for the amount of households currently earning below the federal poverty line compared to other cities in the United States. This city has an active network of over 11 food pantry sites including weekly, healthy food distribution services. The Raritan Bay YMCA provides SNAP Navigator services, community education on SNAP programming, and comprehensive assistance in applying for benefits. Nutrition education is being offered by Rutgers University including healthy meal preparation and budgeting classes.Plainfield, located in Union County, has an average per capita income of only $23,767 and it is home to 11 food pantries and several soup kitchens that all culminate in the Plainfield Coalition of Emergency Food Providers. These providers offer services including regular access to pantry staples and fresh foods as well as connections to community identification cards, clothing, counseling services, assistance with health and childcare services, and navigating applying to assistance programs such as SNAP. Since the advent of COVID-19 in 2020, a common household occurrence is the loss of primary income earners to illness or even death, leaving families without means to meet their basic needs including food. HMHFM would assist in not only supplement income for food assistance, but also increased dollars for fresh, healthy F&V for struggling families in Plainfield.A critical need for these two communities is healthy/affordable food access. According to a report from Community Food Bank of NJ, 9% of the state's population (approximately 800,000 people) are food insecure, and 1 in 12 individuals currently face hunger. Based on the NJ Department of Health statistics, less than 30% of NJ adults consume 5 or more F&V per day, and the top 10 leading causes of death include chronic, diet-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Since the mass unemployment and related impacts caused since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020, the prevalence of these issues has worsened throughout the state. In 2020, 285,000 NJ households did not have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food according to the Hunger and Its Solutions in NJ report, released in May 2022 by the Food Action and Research Center. According to the Healthcare Foundation of NJ, the number of NJ residents receiving Supplemental Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) support rose 23% from February 2020 to January 2021, the most recent data available. In January 2021, 815,000 NJ residents, including more than 360,000 children, received SNAP. Most recently, SNAP households are no longer receiving emergency SNAP benefits or the maximum benefit for household size. Until the minimum distribution is raised, households who have depended on these maximized SNAP allotments are receiving an estimated $82 less per person in monthly benefits, leaving families with significantly less purchasing power and decreased access to healthy food. Juxtaposed with these statistics is the reality that NJ is the Garden State with a robust network of regionally-grown F&V. It boasts nearly 10,000 farms, $1.1 billion in farm revenue per year, and is one of the country's top 5 leading producers of popular produce, including eggplant, bell peppers, peaches, and tomatoes.The HMHFM Initiative will provide a benefit to the community by facilitating the availability of additional resources, through the GusNIP initiative, to implement a place-based strategy to provide participants with nutrition incentive dollars that can be used to access FF&V in participating brick and mortar firms. Working in collaboration with community partners and participating firms we would raise awareness of the program for participants, facilitate twelve month access to fresh produce for SNAP EBT users at participating grocery stores, and contribute to enhanced conversations around regional food procurement. |
| The BronxWorks Nutrition Incentive Program (BNIP) | 1031521 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41091 | 2023 | BRONXWORKS, INC | Karim, Bibi | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | NEW YORK | The BronxWorks Nutrition Incentive Program for SNAP HouseholdsOverviewThe purpose of the BronxWorks Nutrition Incentive Program for SNAP Households (BNIP) is to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption amongst Bronx households that receive SNAP benefits. While the program will target individuals and families who receive SNAP benefits who live in Bronx Community Districts (CDs) 1 and 4, it will be open to SNAP receiving households throughout the borough.BNIP will provide Bronx Bucks nutrition coupons to SNAP receiving individuals and families who purchase produce from the two BronxWorks-operated farm stands, with one in Bronx CD 1 near the BronxWorks employment programs center at 550 East 142nd Street and the other inside of or on the grounds of our Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC) at 1130 Grand Concourse north of Yankee Stadium. The farm stands run from July to November and will serve as point of sale (POS) locations from which the Bronx Bucks coupons may be redeemed.During the winter, BronxWorks will provide a Fresh Food Box at 1130 Grand Concourse. CMCC will serve as the POS location from January to June. The farm stands and fresh food box would allow BronxWorks to provide the community with year around regional and local produce.Where possible, BNIP will engage SNAP receiving individuals and families who are enrolled in existing BronxWorks programs. This will include families with children enrolled in our early learning, maternal or infant health reduction initiative, or after-school or summer camp programs. It will also include individuals who head one-person households in supportive housing.Bronx Bucks coupons will comply with SNAP rules and regulations by only allowing for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. As a condition of receiving the coupon, participants must first make a purchase of $1 using their SNAP benefits. Once the purchase is made, the customer will receive a $10 Bronx Buck incentive coupon.Customers will be referred to additional nutrition education sessions to help support their continued consumption of fruits and vegetables and to provide education on preparation and storage. Referrals for the BNIP can come from nutrition education classes and various BronxWorks programs.Goals and OutcomesThe goals and outcomes for the Bronx Nutrition Incentive Program:Goal 1: Distribute a total of 208Bronx Bucks Incentive Coupons weekly at 20 BronxWorks Farm Stands (Thursdays) and Mott Haven Farm Stands (Wednesdays) from July through November and at 20 Winter Fresh Food Boxes from January through June for a total of 5,100$10 Bronx Bucks Incentive Coupons distributed to BronxWorks participants enrolled in SNAP.Outcome: 960participants will receive coupons each program week for a total of 40 weeks.Goal 2: Bronx Bucks Incentive Program participants who receive SNAP benefits will increase their purchasing power of fresh produce by redeeming incentives at point-of-sale.Outcome: 100% of SNAP customers enrolled in the Bronx Buck Incentive Program will increase purchases of fresh produce.Goal 3: BronxWorks will host year round local Fresh Food box and Farm Stands to distribute Bronx Bucks incentives to participants.Outcome: Increases access to purchases of fruits and vegetables throughout the year.Program StaffingThe full-time staff will be a Program Director, Program Coordinator, and Program Specialist. A member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) and youth interns will also work to provide program services. A Department Director (in-kind) will be responsible for overall supervision.The Program Director will directly supervise the Program Coordinator and oversee the distribution days at the Farm Stands and Fresh Food Box activities. She will monitor program outcomes, work with the BronxWorks fiscal department to monitor spending, and submit reports both to the funder and internally. The Program Director will work with the Program Coordinator to develop program guidelines, including Bronx Health Bucks distribution and reconciliation guidelines, and an outreach plan. She will also ensure that all staff receive trainings congruent to program activities.The Program Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program. She will work with the Program Specialist and volunteers to perform outreach, conduct Farm Stand and Food Box activities, and distribute and reconcile Bronx Buck coupons. The Program Coordinator will monitor program outcomes and report on program activities to the Program Director monthly. She will work with the Program Director to manage any challenges or program modifications to meet consumer needs.A Program Specialist will work with the Program Coordinator to implement program activities. The Program Specialist will distribute and log Bronx Buck coupons, conduct outreach, provide nutritional education, assist at the Farm Stand and at the Fresh Food Box to distribute food items purchased, and will help clients to connect to additional services if needed.A Jesuit Volunteer Corps member assigned to this program will work with the Program Coordinator and Program Specialist to implement program activities. Youth interns work at the BronxWorks Farm Stands and Fresh Box and will assist with the nutrition education component.Incentive RedemptionCustomers will receive their $10 coupon at the BronxWorks Farm Stand, Mott Haven Farm Stand, and Winter Fresh Food Box. Participants will make an initial $1 purchase of fruits and vegetables using their SNAP benefits and then receive the Bronx Bucks $10 incentive coupon. |
| Expansion of the Georgia Fresh for Less Incentive Program | 1031485 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41173 | 2023 | WHOLESOME WAVE GEORGIA INCORPORATED | Duncan, Alex | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2026 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $994,613.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | GEORGIA | Our goal is to increase access to fresh, wholesome, food for all Georgians while contributing to the local food economy. Through our Georgia Fresh for Less program, we match each federal nutrition assistance dollars spent at our partner farmers markets and farms with an additional dollar to spend on fruits and vegetables, leveraging existing government food nutrition programs to encourage shopping at local food outlets and improve the health of participating SNAP recipients. In short, GF4L directly aligns with the GusNIPgoal to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing incentives at the point of purchase. |
| CSA is a SNAP | 1031482 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41205 | 2023 | GLYNWOOD CENTER, INC. | Hughes, Michelle | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2026 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $499,840.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FIP] FINI Project | NEW YORK | CSA is a SNAP is a program of the Glynwood Cetner's Hudson Valley CSA Coalition, a group of more than 120 direct-marketing farms in New York that collaborate "to make CSA a familiar and accessible option for everyone in the Hudson Valley." We believe that people who participate in SNAP deserve equitable access to the bounty of highly nutritious food their local farmers produce. Data on food insecurity show that a quarter of low-income households in the US, including SNAP participants, struggle to have enough healthy food for the whole month to meet the nutritional needs of all family members. In short, regional and national data show that affordability and access are key barriers to food and nutrition security for low-income households.CSA is a SNAP is designed to make CSA more accessible and affordable to customers paying with SNAP benefits, thereby increasing low-income household food and nutrition security. The program addresses accessibility and affordability by enabling weekly payments for SNAP members, and by providing a 1:1 matching incentive in the form of a discount, effectively reducing the price of a guaranteed weekly share of locally grown vegetables and fruit by half. CSA is a SNAP supports USDA Strategic Goal 4: Provide all Americans with Safe, Nutritious Food. The program is directly aligned with GusNIP's purpose and priorities, including providing a 1:1 matching incentive for locally grown vegetables and fruit, thereby halving the cost of a guaranteed weekly box of fresh produce for those paying with SNAP benefits.Program goals are to: 1) Strengthen SNAP household food and nutrition security by enabling participation in locally-grown vegetable and fruit CSA farm shares; and 2) Expand the proportion of low-income, underserved households participating in CSA programs in the Hudson Valley, while maintaining farm business viability. Objectives to meet these goals are: 1) Provide a subsidized dollar-for-dollar fruit and vegetable incentive for SNAP customers; 2) Align CSA and SNAP programs so that SNAP recipients can legally and practically join; 3) Increase CSA awareness and participation among SNAP recipients; 4) Provide nutrition and cooking education and support to SNAP customers.This expansion project will extend CSA is a SNAP from the current pilot-scale five farms serving 98 families, to 32 farms serving 768 families across New York's Hudson Valley region by 2026. |
| Double Up Food Bucks Michigan: Growing Healthy Families and Resilient Farms Statewide | 1031479 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41069 | 2023 | FAIR FOOD NETWORK | Krauss, Kate | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $8,438,060.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | MICHIGAN | Fair Food Network launched the first ever Double Up Food Bucks (Double Up) nutrition incentive program in our home state of Michigan in 2009. Our program offers dollar-for-dollar match on SNAP benefits spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. With Double Up, Michigan families use their SNAP benefits to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables (FVs) while simultaneously leveraging those dollars for economic impacts. Our commitment to maximizing program dollars for incentives while supporting farmers -- the second largest driver of the State's economyi -- means that every Double Up purchase in Michigan supports families and farmers while aiming GusNIP funding squarely in support of all GusNIP priorities.Our work with partners over more than a decade has built strong connections with shoppers, an abiding trust in the Double Up brand, and a highly efficient program operations. Fair Food Network will maximize the impact of GusNIP dollars on family health and farmer resilience across Michigan, leveraging $4M/year in state funding and bringing $13.9M of fresh fruits and vegetables to the tables of Michigan families. Participants will be able to use Double Up in more than 100 grocery sites and 130 direct markets across the state, and 88 cents of every dollar of GusNIP funds will be used for incentives. To meet these goals over the next two years, we will improve the program experience for families, farmers, and retailers by easing transactions for both retailers and program participants at Double Up sites; reduce barriers and encourage program growth and participation through expanded supplemental services; increase local sourcing through connections between Michigan growers, distributors and Double Up retailers; and develop and test a rigorous evaluation measure to assess and improve Double Up's environmental impact(s). |
| Double Up Food Bucks Colorado: Deepening Reach and Expanding Access Project | 1031478 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41071 | 2023 | NOURISH COLORADO | Sweaney, Daysi | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $2,455,439.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | COLORADO | Through the Double Up Food Bucks Colorado (Double Up): Deepening Reach and Expanding Access Project, Nourish Colorado (Nourish CO) proposes to continue to expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables and support communities statewide by: 1) Sustaining available incentives for SNAP shoppers to purchase fresh Colorado-grown produce, 2) Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and long-term healthy eating among SNAP shoppers, 3) Deepening reach to more SNAP shoppers and increase program participation through innovative outreach and promotion that is geographically, linguistically, and culturally relevant and accessible, 4) Increasing Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables in retail sites offering Double Up so local farmers are able to sell their produce to more customers and increase their income, and 5) Expanding retail partnerships to include a second large grocery chain and being present in at least half of Colorado's counties. Needs and challenges. Food costs continue to increase with inflation and prices have a significant influence on diets and contribute to many of the social inequities of health (Darmon & Drenowski, 2015). Over 90% of under-resourced Coloradans do not eat the recommended servings of produce (CDPHE, 2017). Today, 33% of Coloradans report food insecurity, with 43% of non-white and Latinx Coloradans reporting that they struggle to put food on the table (Hunger Free Colorado, 2021). Federal food assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help to address food insecurity, but do not provide enough assistance for families to purchase the healthy food they need: most SNAP shoppers do not receive enough money to buy food for an entire month (Carlson et al, 2021).1 Additionally, grocery bills have increased by nearly 11% in the past year (Williams, 2022). The cost to eat the USDA recommended servings of fruits and vegetables per day is $2-2.50, which totals nearly $70/month (Stuart, 2017). Our current structures and systems do not support the most vulnerable in achieving the benefits of a healthy diet--nor local food systems and small under-represented growers and farmers, whose businesses support resilient food systems and recirculate dollars in local communities (Gallo, 2019). Double Up has been an important point of increased access to Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables since 2016. In a 2021 survey, 80% of SNAP shoppers reported eating more fruits and vegetables because of Double Up. Customers have shared, "A direct, personal connection with farmers and local food systems positively impacted my mental wellbeing and connection to community" (Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, 2023). The program has documented how critical these dollars are for supporting the sustainability of direct markets and small and beginning farmers in Colorado. With sharp increases in food insecurity, supply chain issues, and inflation, a stronger and deeper Double Up program is needed now more than ever. Capabilities and Assets. Double Up includes nearly 77 partners at over 90 Double Up sites and over 300 partner organizations have helped reach and engage these participants. Nourish CO has built and strengthened significant program assets, including program outreach and coordination through a strong network of partners throughout the state, which assists us in planning, developing, and implementing a program that provides produce incentives in locally tailored, participant-driven ways. As the program has matured, we continue to engage participants and partners through the Nourish Advisory Board (NAB) and annual regionalconversations with shoppers, partners, and farmers. These structured conversations shift marketing, impact program expansion goals, and inform resources. Double Up also provides new sales for small farmers and keeps food dollars circulating in local communities. In six years, Double Up participants have spent over $8 million at participating markets and retailers in SNAP and Double Up dollars. Double Up has supported small, beginning fruit and vegetable farmer viability through increased revenue from produce sales (participating farmers have reported an increase in revenue by an average of nearly 70% over six years). The network of farmers supported by Double Up, through strong locally tailored support and program promotion, offers Nourish CO the opportunity to further scale and support farm revenue in the state. Addressing needs and building upon assets. Because of the strength of our relationships and our commitment to bring SNAP shoppers, growers, market managers, county agencies, and state partners together, the Double Up program is adept at identifying new challenges and addressing them with local solutions. The activities proposed in this project will allow Double Up to deepen and expand the program to bring it to more SNAP shoppers while increasing farmer and market viability throughout the state. |
| Optimizing the Mas Fresco! More Fresh Nutrition Incentive Program to Increase Access to Healthy Foods and Decrease Food Insecurity | 1031477 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41206 | 2023 | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO | Rhee, Kyung | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2027 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $4,942,850.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | CALIFORNIA | Food insecurity in California affects 9.6% of California residents. However, Black and Latino communities are disproportionately affected with rates ranging from 14-20% compared to 4-7% among white residents. This inequity is driven in part by record-setting food price inflation, pandemic related supply shocks, and other market disruptions. To address this situation, the University of California San Diego, working with Northgate Gonzalez Markets and other community partners, developed the ¡Más Fresco! More Fresh Nutrition Incentive Program. The randomized control trial resulted in significant increases in the purchase of fruits and vegetables and food security levels among thousands of participating households across Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties. The primary objective of this new proposal is to optimize and further expand the impact of this already successful program by increasing access to a broader array of GusNIP-qualifying healthy foods, namely fresh, frozen, dried, and canned fruits and vegetables, while using data-driven decision making to optimize our 4:1 earn and redeem incentive model to expand and sustain its support for existing and new participants over a longer timeframe. In this way, the program will be more successful at addressing food security and increasing access to healthy foods, especially for the Latino community that Northgate Gonzalez Markets serves. Stable and continuous access to fruits and vegetables in its many forms will better address the health disparities that SNAP recipients experience, while simultaneously advancing equity, inclusion, and accessibility across Southern California. |
| Double Up Food Bucks New York: Innovating Solutions to Improve Food Access | 1031442 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41068 | 2023 | FIELD & FORK NETWORK INC | French, Lisa | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2027 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $8,077,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | NEW YORK | The Need to Address Low Fruit and Vegetable Intake Across New York State (NYS). Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is protective against diet-related chronic illnesses1, yet most Americans are not meeting dietary recommendations. For example, among NYS adults, 33.5% consume fruit and 20.5% consume vegetables less than once daily, and consumption is even lower among low-income populations2. These findings are especially concerning given that it is estimated that 29.1%3 of adults in NYS are obese. Furthermore, adults from low-income and racial/ethnic minoritized backgrounds are especially at elevated risk for obesity4-6.Addressing Food Insecurity in NYS to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Intake. In 2021, more than 2 million NYS residents experienced food insecurity7. During Covid-19, food insecurity increased in NYS from 8.6% (2021) to 9.7% (2022) and increased twice as much for households with children vs. households without children8. Also, Black and Hispanic households experience food insecurity more than non-Hispanic white households, 17.5%, 17%, and 7.1% respectively8. Regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, 2.8 million NYS residents were enrolled in 2022 9 and ~53% were households with children10.Local Capabilities and Assets to Address Food Insecurity in NYS. To address food insecurity in NYS, the Field & Fork Network (F&FN) launched the Double Up Food Bucks New York (DUFBNY) program in 2014 for SNAP users. DUFBNY started at 7 farmers markets and now has over 220+ small retail (e.g., corner stores), grocery and farm direct (farmers markets, mobile markets and stops, and farm stands) sites in 32 counties. This is possible due to the large number of community partners across NYS. Given the wide service area, formative research is conducted on an ongoing basis (rather than a one-time community needs assessment) to be responsive to the needs of NYS residents. |
| Link Up Illinois Statewide Nutrition Incentive Program | 1031441 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41072 | 2023 | THE EXPERIMENTAL STATION 6100 BLACKSTONE | Spreen, Constance | 09/15/2023 | 09/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $2,074,323.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FLSP] FINI Large Scale Project | ILLINOIS | The Experimental Station seeks to increase the affordability of locally grown fruits and vegetables for SNAP (Illinois 'Link') clients, by providing incentives for SNAP shoppers at the point of purchase. Link Up Illinois, a program of Experimental Station established in 2011, aims to ensure that all Illinoisans have affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables, by providing funding, training and technical assistance to markets and other Illinois venues to implement 'Link Match' incentive programs. In 2022 alone, the Link Up Illinois network included 118 farmers markets, brick-and-mortar grocers, and other direct-to-consumer sites statewide and enabled thousands of SNAP shoppers to purchase over $1M of fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables with Link Match incentives. In 2024 and 2025, Link Up Illinois will expand Link Match to as many as 145 sites across the state. To do so, Link Up Illinois will partner with two regional and at least 6 small to mid-size community grocers, linking SNAP clients year-round with affordable fresh fruits and vegetables, and enabling testing of new incentive technologies. In addition to supporting current Link Match partners, to deepen its reach in rural areas of the state, Link Up Illinois will support four regional Link Up Hubs to provide EBT and Link Match assistance to 25 low-capacity markets in their regions. In partnership with CBS Broadcasting, Link Up Illinois will also undertake a robust, targeted statewide television and streaming advertising campaign. As a result, more Illinois' SNAP clients will increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, leading to health benefits, while regional farmers will see increased economic benefit. |
| Star Farm Chicago: Co-creating a Culturally Relevant and Resilient Local Foods Initiative on Chicago`s South Side | 1031436 | NIFA Non Formula | 2023-70415-41086 | 2023 | STAR FARM CHICAGO | Dunn, Stephanie | 09/15/2023 | 07/14/2025 | 2023 | ACTIVE | $100,000.00 | [FINI] Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program | [FPP] FINI Pilot Project | ILLINOIS | Making local produce accessible and culturally relevant to influence the long-term shopping patterns of individual consumers and institutional purchasers will be Star Farm's position as the liaison between 1. making sure farmers have support to build capacity and deliver high-quality, food-safe products and 2. ensuring that partners and their clients are having their produce needs met and are incorporating the value of local produce into their programs and delivery of services. Building the public perception and the procurement capacity for local foods will help create a stable marketplace for existing and future sustainable farmers in the Chicagoland foodshed, and build equity in the food system by forging new sales channels that target low-income, food insecure populations. |