Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) introduced the SNAP Healthy Incentives Act, bipartisan legislation to make healthy food more affordable for low-income Americans.

The rising cost of fruits and vegetables compared to unhealthy processed foods has made it difficult for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to maintain balanced, nutritious diets. This legislation would encourage SNAP recipients to purchase more fruits and vegetables by offering a 30 percent rebate that can then be used to buy other eligible food and beverage items.

“For many who are struggling to make ends meet, there simply isn’t room in the budget for fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Rep. Cartwright. “We need to make it easier for Americans to buy healthy food and maintain a balanced diet. This bipartisan bill expands a proven approach to making fruits and vegetables more affordable for low-income families nationwide, enabling them to live happier and healthier lives.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tested this program in Hampden County, Massachusetts, over a 14 month period. As a result, purchases of fruits and vegetables increased by 26 percent among the test group in that time frame. This increase was broadly consistent regardless of employment status, age, presence of children in the household, and amount the household received in SNAP benefits.

Co-sponsors of this legislation in the U.S. House are: Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02), Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01), Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-13), Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At-Large), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04),  Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01).