Six parishes in Louisiana, Ascension, LaSalle, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Webster, and West Carroll are participating in a USDA-funded pilot project to promote healthier food choices among SNAP recipients.
DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says recipients will receive a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at 13 designated Walmart stores, with a maximum monthly bonus of $25.
“And those benefits will be immediately added to their card, and they can spend those anywhere in the state on anything.”
Louisiana is one of three states selected for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s Electronic Healthy Incentives Project. Guillory says the pilot launched yesterday and will run for six to nine months.
“We are limited by the grant amount we received for the project. It will last as long as we have the funds available from the grant to pay for the bonus benefits.”
Guillory says no sign-up is needed to participate, and the initiative aims to improve both nutrition and financial well-being.
“We’re hoping the end result is that recipients purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to eat healthier.”
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