Legislators in Rhode Island are developing a plan to spend $11.5 million on a fruit and vegetable consumption-increasing pilot program.
In a statement, Peter Lurie, president of the Science in the Public Interest, referred to the approval of the Rhode Island Public Assistance Act (H7490) as “monumental.”
More than 138,000 Rhode Islanders who receive SNAP benefits will now have access to nutrition thanks to the $11.5 million investment made by the Act, according to Lurie.
According to Lurie’s statement, “this initiative enables SNAP households to receive a fifty-cent credit on their EBT card for every dollar spent at participating stores on qualified fruits and vegetables.”
This is the largest investment in a brick-and-mortar retail program in the state and the second largest investment overall in nutrition incentive programming.
Additionally, according to Lurie, the initiative would be run by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, and cash will be sent directly onto benefit cards for SNAP members.
For SNAP beneficiaries who frequently have to juggle negotiating numerous government and nonprofit-based systems to acquire food, Lurie said in the statement, “This new technique allows nutrition incentive programs to be simplified.”
“The convenience of SNAP participants using a one-card system should enhance participation in fruit and vegetable incentive programs and free up time for families struggling to put a healthy meal on the table.”
The “landmark pledge,” according to Amy Nunn of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, will go a long way toward improving health equity and good eating in Rhode Island, where 35% of people of colour experience food insecurity.
“CSPI is delighted to have supported this work, and we look forward to watching the implementation of this legislation and learning from Rhode Island’s dedication to the health of SNAP beneficiaries,” Lurie said in the release.
“The availability of nutrition incentive programs, which have a track record of raising participants’ intake of fruits and vegetables, in more than half of the states of the United States.
We hope that additional state legislators will make Rhode Island’s example and contribute to the wellbeing of communities nationwide.”
Vice President of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association Mollie Van Lieu praised the progress.
Given that more than 90% of SNAP funds are used in traditional retail, Van Lieu said it is great that the state is investing in increasing SNAP clients’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
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State action is crucial, but the IFPA and other nutrition advocates also want to see federal expenditures made so all SNAP recipients, regardless of zip code, have the same access, according to the spokesperson.
“IFPA will be advocating for Congress and the Administration to take greater action to improve availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables,” Van Lieu said.
“As we head into a new Farm Bill cycle and the upcoming September White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.”
