Mass. Tapped to Test Healthy Incentives Pilot Program

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Aug. 19 selected Hampden County, Mass., to test the first Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP) program, an incentives-based program to encourage low-income Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized $20 million to research whether incentives for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will increase their purchase of healthful foods.

The Healthy Incentives Pilot program, which will begin in Fall 2011 and be overseen by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), will enroll 7,500 randomly selected SNAP households to receive incentives. For every dollar participants spend on fruits and vegetables using their SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, 30 cents will be added to their benefit balancecutting the cost of fruits and vegetables by almost one-third.

According to USDA, Massachusetts was selected based on its comprehensive pilot proposal that included very thorough and strong design, implementation, staffing and management plans. Hampden County is a mix of 27 urban, rural and suburban cities with a total of 50,000 SNAP households. The majority of recipients are concentrated in the areas of Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee.

"This pilot project will empower low-income Americans to eat more nutritious food and has the potential to strengthen the SNAP program that serves as a critical safety net to the most vulnerable in our society," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially in the place of higher calorie foods, can help move America toward healthier lifestyles and a healthier future."