NEW YORK — Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced a new initiative that will double the purchasing power of SNAP recipients at farmers’ markets across New York State.
the program FreshConnect Fresh2You It will now provide eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match, allowing families in need to purchase healthy foods, including produce, dairy and meat.
This new initiative will help offset the recent decline in SNAP benefits that were part of the pandemic relief effort, as well as record inflation costs, provide increased income for New York farmers, and boost the local food supply. With the elimination of food shortages, which is among the goals outlined in the governor’s executive budget proposal and her State of the State speech.
“New York has taken important steps to develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships between local farmers and the communities they feed on,” said Governor Hochul. “The new Fresh2You initiative will help ensure New Yorkers have more money to spend on healthy foods like dairy, meat, produce and more, while achieving better health outcomes, an economic boost for New York farmers, and a stronger food supply chain.
The initiative FreshConnect Fresh2You It will now provide SNAP recipients at participating farmers’ markets with $2 checks for every $2 spent as part of SNAP, instead of $2 for every $5 spent.
As part of the FreshConnect Checks program, provided by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, this initiative will help expand access to fresh food in underserved communities. You can also help improve the diet of people in those communities and help boost economic development by supporting local farmers.
By allowing the purchase of dairy, meat and other products, as well as the purchase of fruits and vegetables, the program Fresh Connect Supports more farmers across New York State.
Any farmer or vendor selling SNAP-eligible foods at any farmer’s market, farm stand, or mobile market operating in New York State may accept a check from Fresh Connect We are now participating in the initiative Fresh2You. Checks can be used to purchase dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, and more.
The initiative will be launched and available to consumers on April 15th. Market operators will also receive new marketing materials and training on the new initiative.
“FreshConnect continues to offer New Yorkers innovative new ways to easily access fresh, locally grown foods they can buy with their SNAP benefits,” said Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “This will increase the purchasing power of SNAP recipients while benefiting local farmers and farmers markets across the state.”
In addition to SNAP consumers, the program FreshConnect checks It is also available for veterans, service members, and their immediate families to use benefits at New York State farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. Veterans can get $50 worth of coupons Fresh Connect This year from the offices of the New York State Department of Veterans Services.
“The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative will go a long way toward helping consumers who have lost some SNAP benefits due to program cuts,” said Diane Eggert, executive director of the New York Farmers Market Association. “This gives them a huge boost to their purchasing power and encourages them to shop directly with farmers at the many farmers markets around the state. This gives the program a double benefit by helping people with SNAP benefits eat a healthy diet rich in local foods, while at the same time we By promoting sales of food grown and produced by local farmers, helping to preserve local agriculture, we are grateful to Governor Hochul for supporting local foods and farmers in the state.