Fruit and Vegetables in SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition and Access Program (SNAP) represents the nation’s largest nutrition safety net program, providing millions of Americans – about half of whom are children – with benefits to purchase food and beverages. Federal dollars are allocated to states, which distribute benefits monthly or bimonthly to recipients to purchase eligible foods at SNAP-approved retailers.

The SNAP program is authorized every five years in the Farm Bill and represents approximately 80% of Farm Bill spending.

During the last Farm Bill (2018), United Fresh worked with Congress to double funding for the program, formerly known as Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grants, now Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP projects are awarded to nonprofits working with retailers like farmers’ markets and grocery stores to provide incentives through the form of fruit and vegetable vouchers to SNAP participants. For example, a SNAP consumer enrolled in the program might purchase $8 in fruits or vegetables. At the point of sale – the customer would receive a voucher to redeem $8 for fruits and vegetables during a future visit.