New York bumps SNAP produce match by 40%
City officials will raise the daily limit on fresh fruit and vegetable coupons for low-income shoppers starting next year.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
Starting in January 2027, residents of New York City who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will receive more money to buy fresh produce. The city is raising the daily cap on its Health Bucks incentive program by 40 percent.
The change was announced on October 29 by the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Under the current rules, participants can earn up to $10 a day in extra coupons. Next year, that limit will rise to $14. This means a shopper who spends $14 on eligible fruits and vegetables with their EBT card will receive another $14 in Health Bucks. The total purchasing power for fresh items in a single day will reach $28.
Health Bucks is a matching program run by the New York City Department of Health. For every two dollars spent on qualifying fresh produce at a participating market, the city adds two dollars in coupons. The new limit does not change the federal SNAP benefits deposited onto EBT cards. It only expands the local incentive for buying agricultural products.
City officials estimate the increase will distribute approximately $2.3 million in incentives during 2027. Those funds will flow to more than 100 farmers markets and produce stands across the five boroughs. The expansion is intended to help low-income households afford nutritious food while supporting local farmers.
The program is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity. A recent study by the Department of Health found that nearly 8 in 10 adults at risk of food insecurity struggle to pay for balanced meals. Eighteen percent of that group said they did not eat any fruit or vegetables the day before the survey. Nearly one third relied on emergency food services, such as community pantries, to get food.
Dr. Alister F. Martin, the New York City Health Commissioner, said that knowing healthy foods are good for you is different from being able to afford them. He stated that raising the Health Bucks limit will increase the purchasing power of SNAP recipients. It will also provide additional revenue for the farmers and vendors who supply local markets.
The initiative is funded by a mix of city resources and federal grants. New York City secured $5.7 million in new subsidies from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentives Program. This federal fund supports projects that encourage SNAP participants to buy more fruits and vegetables. The Health Bucks program marks its 20th year of operation in 2026. Since 2005, the Department of Health has distributed more than $20 million in coupons.
Shoppers can find participating markets using a map available from the Department of Health. Residents can also text the word Muy Rico to 55676 to locate nearby options. Community and religious organizations can also distribute Health Bucks to residents who attend nutrition education events or health programs. These groups provide an additional way for people to access the incentives, though the eligibility rules differ from the SNAP matching system.
Mayor Mamdani said many New Yorkers worry about rising prices when they enter stores. He noted that food insecurity forces too many families to skip fruits and vegetables. The city aims to make these products more accessible to households receiving public assistance. The expansion brings more consumers to neighborhood markets, which helps local producers as well.
