By Blake Jackson
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of a new digital FreshConnect pilot program to help boost the purchase of local farm products and bring the program to more families facing food insecurity.
The pilot program launched on October 28, 2023, at the Broome County Regional Farmers' Market and allows eligible New Yorkers to use SNAP benefits to purchase farm products at the farmers' market using a digital option.
To use the program, SNAP recipients will need to load FreshConnect currency onto a digital account. They can then shop for eligible products at participating vendors and use a QR code to automatically deduct the purchase from their account.
The app also modernizes the redemption process for farmers, saving them time and making it easier for them to take part in the program.
The pilot program is available to SNAP consumers at the Broome County Regional Farmers' Market through the end of the year. The program could expand to other farmers' markets where FreshConnect is accepted.
In addition to the pilot program, the FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative has increased overall coupon availability to SNAP participants shopping at a farmers' market. Since April, FreshConnect Fresh2You has increased farmers' market coupon capacity to 750,000 per year, up from 293,800 in 2022.
The FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative also provides eligible New Yorkers with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $50 per day at participating farmers' markets.
The Department of Agriculture and Markets also this year issued more than double the number of FreshConnect Checks for Veterans, service members, and immediate family members of Veterans or service members.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: New York, Government & Policy, Rural Lifestyle