Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** since 2014, the food basket (TFB)…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** since 2014, the food basket (TFB) has pioneered nutrition incentive programs to increase the purchase of hawai'i grown fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). Upon receiving a 2017 food insecurity nutrition incentive grant, TFB launched a full-scale DA BUX double up food bucks program distributing produce incentives through multiple SNAP retail outlets on hawai'i island. In 2019, governor IGE signed act 153, establishing the hawai'i healthy food incentive program, which provided state funding for DA BUX. This funding, in conjunction with a FY 2019 GUS schumacher nutrition incentive grant, set in motion a statewide expansion of DA BUX, which is now implemented through 81 retails sites in all four counties. By the end of 2020, 77% of SNAP households in the state lived within normal shopping distance of a DA BUX retailer selling hawai'i grown produce according to a study conducted by DR. Vanessa buchthal of the university of hawai'i at manoa. TFB proposes to expand our reach in 2021 with the addition of 15 new retailers in rural areas that currently have limited-to-no access to a DA BUX retailer. These additions aim TO1) expand program access to 90% of the state's SNAP households, 2) increase awareness and usage of DA BUX, and 3) increase local produce sales from SNAP and incentive purchases. Project implementation will be done in collaboration with the hawai'i good food alliance members including: malama kaua'i, WAI'anae coast comprehensive health center, kokua kalihi valley comprehensive family services, kahumana organic farms, and sustainable molokai.