Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** building upon more than nine…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** building upon more than nine years of successful nutrition incentive programs, expanding the reach and impact of kentucky double dollars will grow the geographic and programmatic scope of the statewide kentucky double dollars program (KDD), significantly impacting nutrional security and producers. Since 2014 KDD has increased the accessibility and affordability of kentucky-grown produce for low-income kentuckians, by providing matching point of sale incentives for supplemental nutrition assistance (snap) purchases at participating farmers markets and select pilot retail locations. The proposed expansion will build upon this foundation, with a focused effort to increase the number of retail outlets participating in the program, with thirteen retail sites participating in KDD by the end of the three year period. Additionally, this project will focus on growing the number of participating farmers markets and/or community markets, resulting in eighty participating firms by the end of the grant period. This goals of this project are well-aligned with the goals of gusnip. Specifically, this project will 1) increase the accessibility and affordability of locally-produced fruits and vegetables among low-income customers participating in snap through $1 for $1 nutrition incentives, 2) increase the consumption of kentucky-grown fruits and vegetables among low-income consumers participating in snap and promote wellness through healthier diets, and 3) sustain and expand the market for kentucky's local fruit and vegetable producers. The project team, in partnership with the KDD advisory council (a group of 11 stakeholders that act in an advisory role, assisting in guiding implementation of the program) and the KDD partner network (a statewide network of ngos, state agencies, farmers markets, and retailers, low-income stakeholders, and funders) will work to design, implement, and track the progress of the project. The university of kentucky's community and economic development initiative of kentucky will lead a comprehensive program and participant impact evaluation.