New York City to Increase SNAP Produce Incentives by 40% in 2027

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday, Oct. 29, that residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will qualify for a 40 percent increase in daily incentives for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.

The expansion, scheduled to take effect in January 2027, is intended to improve access to nutritious food while supporting local farmers and vendors.

Higher incentives for fresh produce

According to the Mayor’s Office, the city’s Health Bucks program will increase its daily incentive limit from $10 to $14, allowing eligible SNAP recipients to receive additional purchasing assistance at more than 100 farmers markets and farm stands across New York City.

Under the existing program, participants receive $2 in Health Bucks coupons for every $2 spent using SNAP benefits at participating markets. The coupons can then be redeemed for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The administration estimates that nearly $2.3 million in Health Bucks will be distributed during 2027.

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Mamdani said the expansion would make “groceries more affordable for families on SNAP” while directing additional spending toward local agricultural businesses.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga emphasized that nutritious food should be accessible to everyone, saying fresh produce should “fit every family’s budget.”

Food insecurity remains a growing concern

The announcement follows new research highlighting persistent food insecurity across New York City.

An October 2026 report from the city’s Health Department found that approximately 2.6 million adult New Yorkers, or 40 percent, were at risk of food insecurity in 2024, compared with 2.2 million in 2021.

Among adults identified as being at risk, 78 percent reported difficulty affording balanced meals, while 18 percent said they had consumed no fruits or vegetables the previous day.

City Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin noted that understanding the benefits of nutritious food and “being able to afford them are two different things.”

The expanded program will be financed through city funding and $5.7 million in new federal grant support under the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.

The initiative also comes amid changes to federal SNAP eligibility requirements. In a separate Oct. 27 announcement, Social Services Commissioner Erin Dalton said city outreach efforts had helped keep “more than 220,000 New Yorkers from losing SNAP” under the revised rules.