Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds

Rhode Island lawmakers are creating a program that will invest $11.5 million in a pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

The passage of the bill, titled the Rhode Island Public Assistance Act, was called "monumental" in a statement by Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Lurie said the legislation invests $11.5 million toward a retail Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, incentives pilot program, providing nutrition access to more than 138,000 SNAP recipients in Rhode Island.

"This program allows SNAP households to receive a 50-cent credit on their [electronic benefit card] card for every dollar spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at participating retailers," Lurie said in the statement. "This is the second-largest investment in nutrition incentive programming on a statewide level, and the largest investment in a brick-and-mortar retail-focused program."

In addition, Lurie said the program will be administered by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and funds will be distributed directly onto SNAP recipients’ benefit cards. 

"This innovative strategy allows nutrition incentive programs to be simplified for SNAP recipients who often balance navigating multiple government and nonprofit-based systems to receive food," Lurie said in the statement. "The ability of SNAP participants to shop seamlessly with a one-card system should increase participation in fruit and vegetable incentive programs and save time for families facing barriers to getting a nutritious meal on the table."

Amy Nunn, with the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, said in a news release that the "landmark commitment" will go far in promoting health equity and healthy eating in Rhode Island, where 35% of persons of color are food-insecure.

"CSPI is happy to have supported this work and we look forward to monitoring the implementation of this legislation and learning from Rhode Island’s commitment to the health of SNAP recipients," Lurie said in the statement. "Nutrition incentive programs are available in over half of U.S. states and have a proven track record of increasing fruit and vegetable intake for program participants. We look to other state legislators to follow Rhode Island’s lead and invest in the health of communities across the country."

Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association, applauded the development.

"This is terrific for a state to recognize and invest in the importance of expanding fruit and vegetable access for SNAP consumers, particularly in traditional retail where more than 90% of SNAP benefits are redeemed," Van Lieu said.

While state action is important, she said, IFPA and other nutrition advocates also want to see the federal government make investments so that SNAP participants, regardless of ZIP code, have similar access.

"As we enter into a new Farm Bill cycle and the upcoming September White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, IFPA will be advocating for congress and the administration to take bolder action to increase access and consumption of fruits and vegetables," Van Lieu said.