NYC Expands SNAP Produce Benefits Amid Federal Cuts
New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is expanding SNAP produce incentives, seeking 12 additional grocery locations and planning to increase the daily Health Bucks matching limit from $10 to $14 in January 2027.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/11/mayor-mamdani-expands-program-helping-snap-recipients-receive-fr).
The expansion, announced on November 5, is coordinated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Fund for Public Health in New York City. It expands the Get the Good Stuff supermarket program and Health Bucks farmers’ market incentives as federal SNAP policy changes put pressure on food assistance.
Grocery Expansion Targets More Neighborhoods
The city plans to expand Get the Good Stuff beyond its 21 existing grocery locations, with retailer applications open until November 20. Adding all 12 stores would bring participation to 33 locations, increasing the supermarket network by approximately 57%.
Eligible SNAP participants receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 daily on qualifying produce and beans without added sugar, salt or fats. Matching credits can be used on future purchases of eligible foods.
The program covers fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans. SNAP shoppers can enroll at participating supermarkets and use a dedicated pink card to collect and redeem their matching credits at checkout.
Since launching in 2019, Get the Good Stuff has supported $8.9 million in eligible grocery purchases, generating more than $12 million in economic impact.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the expansion would help households afford healthier groceries.
“Get the Good Stuff helps SNAP recipients stretch their benefits further and bring home fresh fruits, vegetables and beans. We’re expanding this program because every New Yorker deserves access to nutritious food, no matter how much money they make.”
Farmers Market Benefits Rise in January
The separate Health Bucks expansion, announced October 29, will increase the maximum daily matching benefit from $10 to $14 beginning January 2027, a 40% increase.
Under the program, SNAP recipients receive $2 in produce vouchers for every $2 spent using SNAP at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands. The vouchers can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at more than 100 markets and farm stands throughout New York City.
The administration expects to distribute nearly $2.3 million in Health Bucks during 2027, benefiting SNAP shoppers and dozens of local vendors. The Health Department also distributes vouchers through community and faith-based organizations for nutrition education and other health-related activities.
City Research Highlights Food Insecurity
The expansion follows city health survey findings that nearly eight in 10 adults at risk of food insecurity struggled to afford balanced meals.
Approximately 18% of adults in that group reported eating no fruits or vegetables the previous day, while nearly one-third had received food from emergency services, including food pantries.
Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin linked the programs to the difficulty of affording nutritious food.
“By increasing the daily maximum for Health Bucks to $14 per day, the Mamdani administration is putting more purchasing power in the pockets of New Yorkers who receive SNAP benefits, while supporting local farmers in the process.”
Funding Supports Wider Produce Access
The city secured $3.1 million in annual baseline funding for Get the Good Stuff in its fiscal year 2027 budget. The expansion also benefits from a $5.7 million federal grant through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.
The municipal announcement did not provide a specific dollar total for federal SNAP cuts affecting New York City.
Beyond produce incentives, the Mamdani administration has identified La Marqueta in East Harlem as the first location for its proposed municipal grocery store initiative. The administration aims to establish one city-owned grocery store in each borough by the end of the mayor’s first term.
The immediate deadline is November 20 for grocery retailers seeking to join Get the Good Stuff. SNAP participants can check current supermarket and farmers’ market locations through the city’s [Health Map](https://a816-health.
