Food For Free prides itself on rescuing food and increasing access to healthy and desirable foods for low-income populations. With the food system having so many moving components, it is important to realize that many of the food policies implemented have tremendous impacts on our program recipients.
In 2017 after originally being piloted in 2011, the USDA rolled out the the Health Incentive Program (HIP) which allows SNAP/Food Stamp recipients to be able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets, farm stands, CSA’s, and mobile markets. HIP is partially funded by the USDA and the state. This program is unique because it allows SNAP recipients to earn extra money on their cards as an incentive for buying local produce. Consequently, this helps the food system in two ways: (1)increases access to affordable, healthy, and local produce for food insecure people, (2)increases profits for local farmers.
Unfortunately, as a result of the success of the HIP program this past year, as ironic as that sounds, the budget for the HIP program quickly dwindled. The HIP program has been suspended as of April 15, 2018. Thankfully, the Massachusetts State Senate reinstated a supplemental budget for the 2018 growing season, however the future of funds of the 2019 fiscal year still remains unknown. Many stakeholders are working on influencing the state’s decision to reinstate a budget for the 2019 Fiscal Year. Our Cross-Program Coordinator, Ashia Aubourg, and Farm Manager, Anna Pierce-Slive, recently attended HIP Lobby Day at the State House to advocate for the importance of the HIP program to our state legislators.
Food For Free recognizes the importance of programs like SNAP and HIP that to allow our program recipients to have dignified alternatives to obtaining food. Many seniors, families and low-income people dealing with difficult times depend on nutritional assistance programs in collaboration with emergency food programs like Food For Free in order to eat. While we are doing the work to ensure that food insecure people have access to healthy foods, we cannot do the work alone and that is why we support programs like HIP and SNAP in collaboration with our efforts.
If you are interested in advocating for the continuation of the HIP program for the 2019 Fiscal Year here are some concreate steps that you can take:
- Call or email the governor’s office (617-725-4005) and ask to speak to constituent services, or use the form at: https://lnkd.in/gpsmvXD (Explain why you think HIP is necessary and urge them to consider funding the new fiscal year)
- Call or email your legislators https://lnkd.in/gpsmvXD
- Post to social media with the hashtags #MassHip and #HIPToBeHealthy explaining why HIP funding is important to you!
