PAWTUCKET – Farm Fresh Rhode Island has received $4.6 million to help encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants across New England to increase their locally grown fruits and vegetables by providing incentives at farmers markets and other points of purchase, Sen. Jack F. Reed, D-R.I., announced Tuesday.
Funding for the nonprofit came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program. The grant was the largest of 24 NIFA grants in the United States that totaled $21 million.
“Fresh, nutritious and locally grown fruits and vegetables should be accessible to everybody, and I’m glad to see the USDA provide Farm Fresh RI the funding for this project,” stated Reed, who had sent a letter to the USDA on behalf of Farm Fresh RI’s proposal. “The incentives NENIC will provide to encourage the purchase of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables at farmers markets lead to healthier lifestyles for SNAP recipients while at the same time boosting our state’s agricultural economy. This is truly a win-win for Rhode Island. I congratulate Farm Fresh RI for receiving this funding, and I will continue my work to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have greater access to nutritious and affordable foods.”
Farm Fresh RI will use the funds to expand its incentives program in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont through the creation of the New England Nutrition Incentive Collaborative, which will launch a large-scale FINI project utilizing agency resources and programs. The new program will also create and implement marketing techniques and research regional data on the effect of incentives on consumption of fruits and vegetables by SNAP recipients.
“We are very pleased that we were able to receive this funding, and support two key constituencies: local growers and our neighbors in need of nutrition assistance,” said Sheri Griffin, co-executive director of Farm Fresh RI, in a statement. “This connection is at the core of our mission. We are also very excited to support our colleagues across New England who are partners on this ambitious project.”
Farm Fresh RI said it hopes the NENIC program will reach more than 20,000 consumers at more than 250 outlets.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
