Launched in April 2017, the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) provides a 100 percent incentive – a dollar-for-dollar match – for each SNAP dollar spent on targeted fruits and vegetables purchased at farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs statewide. By increasing access to locally grown fruits and vegetables for SNAP clients, the program benefits family and community health, and support farms and the local economy. The Collaborative is working on outreach, education, and fundraising for HIP, and successfully led a campaign to include $1.35 million in funding for the program in the FY18 budget, $2.35 million in a FY18 supplemental budget, and $4 million in the FY19 budget.
Our campaign is to urge the legislature to include $6.2 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget resulted in a $4 million appropriation. The campaign is ongoing and will soon begin work advocating for the FY20 budget. Follow these links to see information about the past year's campaign, and sign on to be notified when action is needed.
Recent articles about the Healthy Incentives Program:
- No lapse in win-win app for farmers, low income families
- Our View: Solution needed to continue low-income program for farmers’ markets
- Low-Income Access To Fresh Produce In Massachusetts Snarled In Tech Problem
- Healthy Incentives Program restored in state budget
- Fresh-food program’s success cannot be its downfall
- Healthy incentives program went over its budget
- Our View: Healthy Incentives Program a success in multiple ways
- Funding for Healthy Incentives Program dries up
- Legislators seek more funds for Healthy Incentives Program
- State lawmakers vow to revive Healthy Incentives Program
- Hunger, health and local farmers
- Local pols hope to continue Healthy Incentives Program
- HIP replacement well worth the money
- HIP, a win-win for supporting local agriculture, deserves our support
- The Healthy Incentives Program is so popular, its future is now in doubt
- Hunger, health and local farmers
- Program matching SNAP dollars at farmer’s markets out of money this spring
- Future of Healthy Incentives Program uncertain
- Editorial: Healthy Incentives Program is far too important to let fail
- Of the Earth: A shot to the HIP
- Slashes may come to SNAP, HIP looking at suspension
- Rewards program encourages SNAP recipients to make healthy choices
- State should fund fresh-veggies budget
- State’s produce program for SNAP participants in jeopardy
- State program offering farm fresh food to SNAP recipients in jeopardy
- Fresh Food Program’s Success In Mass. Contributes To Its Demise
- More than $2.5 Million in HIP Incentives Earned
- HIP state program expands access to farm-fresh foods
- Of the Earth: Hip takes on a whole new meaning
- Farmers’ markets hoping for busy winter season
- Improving health in Lynn, one farmer’s market at a time
- The HIP program: Making healthy eating affordable
- Lawmakers looking to increase access to healthy food for families on SNAP
- Lawrence farmers market expands as demand surges: New state subsidies of up to $80 a month triple sales
- Coastal Foodshed, Healthy Incentives Program work to provide more food access
- Farmers, families in need reap benefits from produce program
- Healthy Incentives Program: Off to a great start
- State and Local Officials Celebrate Start of Winter Farmers’ Market Season
- Better Access to Healthy, Local Foods for Thousands in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts commits $1.35 million to SNAP for farm food purchases
- SNAP credit will help the needy enjoy a farm-fresh diet
- In New Mass. SNAP Program, Local Fruit And Veggies Come With A Refund
Legislation has been filed in the Massachusetts legislature in the 2017-18 session that would codify the Healthy Incentives Program in statute, enabling it to continue beyond the USDA grant period.
Background information on the Healthy Incentives Program:
The Healthy Incentives Program is an expansion of a very successful pilot program run in Hampden County in 2011-12.
Key Action Item
Food Access, Security and Health 3.1.1: Leverage and maximize the FINI grant award to increase use of SNAP and complementary benefit programs at farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and for community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Identify, support, and implement methods to sustain FINI-related healthy food purchasing incentive initiatives.
Other Relevant Action Items
Food Access, Security and Health 3.1.1
Leverage and maximize the FINI grant award to increase use of SNAP and complementary benefit programs at farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and for community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Identify, support, and implement methods to sustain FINI-related healthy food purchasing incentive initiatives.
Food Access, Security and Health 3.1.2
Fund the FINI-HIP Trust Fund. The FINI-HIP Trust will enable DTA to engage statewide community partners and private funders to accept financial commitments to support the HIP implementation.
