According to the USDA news release, the "2008 Farm Bill authorized $20 million to research whether incentives for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] will increase their purchase of healthful foods."
The pilot program will enroll 7,500 SNAP households to receive the incentives. "For every dollar participants spend on fruits and vegetables using their SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, 30 cents will be added to their benefit balance - thus cutting the cost of the fruits and vegetables by almost one-third." The pilot program is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011.
Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, said that the "Healthy Incentives Program is an incredible step toward reducing obesity by encouraging low-income Americans to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets."
To read the USDA News Release, click here.
Posted: 08/20/2010
