Additional incentives for fruits and vegetables in Colorado and Louisiana: up to $60 more per month

A new USDA program in Colorado and Louisiana will allow low-income families to receive a monthly increase for the purchase of fresh produce

Colorado and Louisiana have begun implementing a new incentive plan offering additional benefits to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program, known as Electronic Healthy Incentive Projects (eHIP), is supported by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and aims to encourage the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers.

In Colorado, SNAP recipients can receive up to $20 per purchase of fresh produce, with a monthly limit of $60 in additional benefits. The initiative aims to «increase SNAP households’ access to the healthy foods needed for lifelong health and well-being,» according to the USDA. Louisiana was the first state to implement this program, followed by Colorado.

The project is already active in various farmers’ markets and local businesses in Colorado, primarily in densely populated areas like Colorado Springs, Denver, and Fort Collins. Beneficiaries do not need to register; they simply need to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating retailers, and their EBT card will automatically be reloaded with the corresponding bonus. Additionally, the bonus can be used not only for fresh produce but also for any type of food at stores that accept SNAP.

This incentive adds to the average monthly SNAP benefit in Colorado, which is $214, representing a potential increase of up to 28% in monthly payments if the full reimbursement is utilized. A modest increase in maximum SNAP benefits is also expected starting in October due to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) that will apply in all U.S. states and territories, except Hawaii.