From proposed federal legislation to state-level trials, lawmakers and organizations are testing new ways to incentivize what SNAP participants put in their grocery baskets.
As the largest anti-hunger program in the United States with more than 42 million participants nationwide and $112.8 billion in federal financing, SNAP has long been the center of lawmakers’ efforts to curtail hunger.
At a time when policy analysts are expecting the incoming Trump administration to cut SNAP funding, the pilots this year highlight how states — and grocers — are looking to help consumers extend their SNAP dollars.
Here’s a look at five ways various states have tested and rolled out this year innovative changes to SNAP, from incentivizing healthier diets to expanding what kinds of foods participants can purchase with their benefits.
Colorado tests SNAP produce bonus
The Rocky Mountain State is encouraging SNAP participants to buy more fruits and vegetables.
Earlier this year, the state automatically enrolled its SNAP participants in its SNAP Produce Bonus Program, which lets people get a dollar-for-dollar match — up to $20 per transaction and up to $60 per month — on eligible fruit and vegetable purchases with their SNAP benefits. The program launched Aug. 1, The Colorado Sun reported.
Eligible foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and certain frozen fruits and vegetables. Dried beans and certain dried fruits and vegetables at farmers markets also qualify, according to the state’s Department of Human Services.
People can use their bonus funds, which are automatically loaded on their EBT cards, for any SNAP-eligible items at participating retailers.
“The fact that SNAP participants will receive credits back to their EBT cards modernizes the program and makes it much easier for people to redeem their bonus dollars,” Mario Ramos, then-acting regional administrator for USDA Food and Nutrition Service, said in a statement.
The state received $7.9 million from the USDA for the pilot.
Delaware pilots digital discounts for SNAP participants
Turning to tech, Delaware this summer unveiled a pilot for an app that offers digital coupons for specific SNAP-approved foods.
The app, which is expected to launch at the end of this year, is part of the Smart Food Program, a public-private partnership born out of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The state said it worked with artificial intelligence company R4 Technologies to develop the app.
Retailers and producers will be able to provide discounts on SNAP-approved items available in certain stores that have surplus inventory and unfilled SNAP demand, according to the announcement. Along with providing discounts, the app will include educational content about healthy choices for meal planning and grocery shopping and use AI to “tailor shopping habits,” the state’s announcement noted.
In the announcement about the pilot, Delaware Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long said the program will help combat food waste for retailers and producers.
The state, which claims it is the first to test an app like this in the U.S.,received $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to finance the pilot. Delaware plans to make the program available nationwide, with Hawaii the next state to test it out.
Rhode Island launches incentive program
At the start of this year, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services kicked off a pilot program aimed at incentivizing SNAP participants to make healthy food purchases.
Called Eat Well, Be Well, the program gives people 50 cents in SNAP benefits — up to $25 per month — for every $1 spent on qualifying fruits and vegetables in participating retailers’ physical stores, according to the department’s website. Stop & Shop and Walmart are participating in the state’s pilot.
Qualifying food products include fresh whole or cut fruits and vegetables, seeds, fresh herbs, salad kits, fresh garlic and potted plants that grow fruits, vegetables or herbs.
The state enrolled all of its SNAP participants in the program, with benefits automatically loaded onto a customer’s EBT card for future SNAP-eligible purchases. People will have nine months to spend reward incentives before they are removed.
The Rhode Island Public Health Institute has found in its research that SNAP incentives play a “pivotal role” in making healthier food choices more affordable, Dr. Amy Nunn, executive director of the nonprofit, said in a statement.
The pilot was funded through a $11.5 million budgetary appropriation of the state’s General Assembly to the Department of Human Services during the 2022 legislative session.
California brings back its CalFresh pilot
The CalFresh Fruits and Vegetables pilot returned this fall after the program secured $10 million in the 2024-2025 state budget, according to Assemblymember Alex Lee.
Initially launched in 2023, the pilot lets CalFresh participants earn $1 on their EBT card — up to $60 per month — for every $1 of CalFresh benefits spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers.
Before its revival, the pilot provided $10.5 million in rebates to 93,000 CalFresh households and saw more than 85 grocery stores and several farmers’ markets participate, Lee said. The pilot ended in April due to a lack of funding, but then relaunched last month, Times of San Diego reported.
New York joins Restaurant Meals Program roster
Earlier this year, New York became the ninth state to join the Restaurant Meals Program — an optional program for states that allows certain participants to use their SNAP benefits to buy prepared meals at restaurants.
To be eligible, SNAP participants must be at least 60 years old, be without permanent housing or unable to prepare meals for themselves, or be the spouse of a SNAP participant who meets these criteria, according to the USDA.
In New York, eligible SNAP participants do not need to apply for the program — the state will automatically update their benefits card — and they will get a 10% discount when using their benefits to buy a meal at a participating restaurant, according to the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
New York has initially limited the program to the five boroughs of New York City and the City of Rochester in Monroe County. Approved restaurants include Burger King, Popeyes, Ray’s Pizza Bar and Il Sole in New York City; and Kentucky Fried Chicken, Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant and Gregorio's Pizza in the City of Rochester.
The office notes a stateside rollout of the program will follow the pilot in the two cities.
Massachusetts joined the Restaurant Meals Program last year. California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia also participate.
