Bill > HB1096

This bill establishes the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program, a nutrition incentive initiative designed to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients purchase more fruits and vegetables. The program will provide a benefit incentive of at least 40 cents for every dollar of SNAP benefits spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at authorized food retailers like farmers markets, grocery stores, and corner stores. A nonprofit organization with experience in healthy food incentive programming will be selected to administer the program for at least two years, developing program guidelines and evaluation mechanisms. The bill creates a dedicated Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program Account within the General Fund to support the initiative, which can receive state appropriations and additional funding from gifts, donations, and federal sources. The selected grantee must use at least 60% of program funds to provide direct benefits to SNAP recipients or partner organizations, and will be required to conduct biennial evaluations that track metrics such as money spent on incentives, geographic distribution of funds, and participating retailers. The underlying goal is to increase nutritious eating, support local farmers, and research the effectiveness of nutrition incentive programs in Pennsylvania. The program will take effect 120 days after enactment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1096