FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A statement from Dr. Amy Nunn, executive director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, on behalf of the Nourish Rhode Island coalition
“Now that Governor McKee has officially signed the FY23 state budget, the Nourish Rhode Island coalition is thrilled to announce that $11 million has been allocated to support a statewide Retail SNAP Incentive Program. By providing the more than 140,000 Rhode Islanders, many of whom are senior citizens or young children, who rely on SNAP benefits with a 50% discount on fresh fruits and vegetables in retail grocery settings across the state, this crucial program will make an immediate, positive impact on public health in Rhode Island’s underserved communities, and serve as a first step in finally addressing Rhode Island’s growing hunger crisis.
“We offer our sincere gratitude to Senator Valarie Lawson and Representative Jean Philippe Barros, both of whom have been tireless champions for this initiative for multiple years, and to Governor McKee, House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan Pearson for their leadership.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to begin the work of getting this Retail SNAP Incentive Program up and running, so that we can continue to advance our long-term goal of addressing hunger and other disparities in social determinants of health that are impacting Rhode Island’s most vulnerable populations.”
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About the Retail SNAP Incentive Program:
According to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s 2021 Hunger Report, one in six Rhode Island households – and one in four households with children – are currently experiencing food insecurity. The same report found that one in three Black and Latinx households were going hungry, more than double the rates of white households. With inflation rates increasing the cost of healthy food, it is critical for Rhode Island leaders to develop and execute a comprehensive plan to address this hunger crisis.
As proposed, Rhode Island’s Retail SNAP Incentive Program (RSIP) would provide a SNAP Incentive in the form of an automatic 50% discount on fresh fruit and vegetable purchases for all SNAP recipients throughout the state when paying with their benefits at a retail grocery store. By adding financial incentives to encourage SNAP participants to purchase more fruits and vegetables in retail settings like grocery stores and bodegas, Rhode Island’s most vulnerable and hungriest populations will be able to improve their diets, while also maximizing their buying power.
Learn more at www.NourishRhodeIsland.com.
About the Nourish Rhode Island coalition:
Led by the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, the Nourish Rhode Island coalition is a diverse network of engaged stakeholders who have come together to alleviate hunger in Rhode Island.
Coalition members include:
Rhode Island Public Health Institute
American Heart Association
Rhode Island Foundation
Amos House
Crossroads Rhode Island
Progreso Latino
NAACP Providence Branch
Oasis International
Family Services of Rhode Island
Urban Greens Co-Op Grocery Store
Tourtellot Produce Distributors
Rhode Island Medical Society
Rhode Island Academy of Physicians Assistants
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Rhode Island State Nurses Association
Washington County Health Equity Zone
Central Falls & Pawtucket Health Equity Zone
City of Pawtucket
City of Providence
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Yale New Haven Health Westerly Hospital
Second Nature Nutrition
All Foods Nutrition
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
Integra Community Care Network