Louisiana Launches Project to Make Fresh Produce More Affordable for SNAP Recipients

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is launching a federally-funded pilot to encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to make healthier food choices. Starting April 14, all SNAP recipients who shop at Walmart stores in Ascension, LaSalle, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Webster and West Carroll parishes will receive a 30-cent produce bonus for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables.

The produce bonus project, part of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Electronic Healthy Incentives Project (eHIP), is only available at participating Walmart locations in the six pilot parishes. SNAP shoppers can get up to $25 a month in produce bonus benefits during the pilot. No sign-up is necessary.

"This innovative pilot project is not just providing financial assistance—it's about investing in the long-term health and well-being of Louisiana families," said Sammy Guillory, Assistant Secretary of Family Support at DCFS. "We expect this project will make a real difference in helping families stretch their food budgets while making nutritious choices."

Although SNAP shoppers can only receive the produce bonus when they buy fresh fruits and vegetables at one of the 13 participating stores, these bonus benefits can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible groceries at any retailer that accepts EBT. Bonus benefits are automatically added to a SNAP recipient’s EBT card and can be used as soon as the next transaction.

Key project features:

• No enrollment required—simply use your EBT card at a participating store
• Open to all Louisiana SNAP recipients who shop at a Walmart store in the six parishes
• Bonus benefits are automatically added to EBT cards at checkout
• Produce bonus benefits can be used immediately to buy SNAP-eligible grocery items at any retailer that accepts EBT

Louisiana joins two other states in testing this innovative approach to promoting healthy eating among SNAP recipients. The project, which is expected to last six to nine months, aims to extend food budgets and improve nutrition for participating families.

Research by the Food and Nutrition Service shows that participants in similar incentive programs consume 26 percent more fruits and vegetables than non-participants.

For more details about the project and participating stores, visit dcfs.la/ehip.

About Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

DCFS is the state agency responsible for keeping children safe, helping individuals and families become self-sufficient and providing refuge during disasters. The Division of Family Support administers the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Workforce Development (SET for Success), Child Support Enforcement, Disability Determination Services, and federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. The Child Welfare Division manages Child Protection Investigations, Family Services, Foster Care and Adoption Services. Through its Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, DCFS supports the state's disaster response and recovery functions that involve evacuation, sheltering, emergency food assistance and human services. For more information, visit www.dcfs.la.gov.

About USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

1. mail: 
   Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
   1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
   Alexandria, VA 22314; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.