Big Island Receives $1M to Urge SNAP Participants to Buy Healthy Food

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that programs on Hawai‘i Island will receive $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture grant funding to support the purchasing of fruits and vegetables by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.

SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities.

“Affordable, nutritious food is one of the basic building blocks for healthy families and strong communities,” said Sen. Hirono. “Today’s grant funding will help to expand access to more locally grown products for Hawai‘i Island residents.”

As part of the grant funding, The Food Basket Inc. in Kailua-Kona will receive $500,000 to help increase the purchase of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables by SNAP recipients. In addition, Heritage Ranch Inc. in Honaunau will receive $500,000 to improve access to healthy fresh local foods for low-income SNAP households, while increasing awareness and support for local growers and food retailers.

This is a multi-year federal grant, not to exceed four years, with 2017 the initial funding award for both projects.

For more information about the SNAP program, click here.