Press Release: 7/17/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $100 Million Milestone for Healthy Incentives Program

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

7/16/2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Cecille Joan Avila, Director of Communications

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Call Cecille Joan Avila, Director of Communications at 857-301-0508

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Email Cecille Joan Avila, Director of Communications at Cecille.J.Avila2@mass.gov

GRANBY — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated a major milestone for Massachusetts' Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which has helped families purchase more than $100 million in fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables since its launch in 2017. At an event at Red Fire Farm in Granby, state leaders also announced that applications will soon reopen for new HIP farm vendors for the first time since 2022, expanding access to healthy food while creating new opportunities for Massachusetts farmers. 

HIP  is the nation's first and largest nutrition incentive program fully integrated into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). When SNAP recipients purchase eligible fruits and vegetables directly from participating Massachusetts farms, farm stands, farmers markets, mobile markets or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, they automatically receive money back on their EBT card, helping families stretch their food budgets while supporting local agriculture. Depending on household size, participants can receive up to $40, $60 or $80 each month in HIP incentives. 

Today, more than 500 farms and market locations participate in HIP across Massachusetts.  Reopening vendor applications will allow even more farms and food access organizations to join the program, increasing access in underserved communities while strengthening local food systems. 

"No one should have to choose between putting healthy food on the table and paying for other essentials,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Healthy Incentives Program helps families stretch their grocery budgets while supporting the Massachusetts farmers who grow our food. Reaching this $100 million milestone shows just how much this program has meant to communities across our state, and by expanding it to more farms, we're making it easier for even more families to access fresh, local produce." 

"The Healthy Incentives Program is helping families put fresh, healthy food on the table while supporting the farmers and small businesses that are at the heart of communities across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By welcoming more farms into HIP, we're expanding access to healthy food and creating new opportunities for local agriculture to thrive." 

Since launching in 2017, HIP has grown to more than 500 participating farm locations across Massachusetts. Reopening vendor applications will allow even more farms and food access organizations to join the program, increasing access in underserved communities while strengthening the state's local food economy. 

For the first time since 2022, DTA will accept applications from farms, farm stands, mobile markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and nonprofit food access organizations interested in joining HIP. New vendors will be added in phases over the coming year, helping expand access in communities that have experienced vendor shortages. The expansion reflects one of the key recommendations from Governor Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force, which called for increasing access to HIP as part of the Administration's broader efforts to reduce food insecurity and lower grocery costs for Massachusetts families. 

Farms, farm stands, CSAs, mobile markets, and nonprofit food access organizations interested in becoming HIP vendors can contact dta.hip@mass.gov to ensure that they receive the NOO the day it is published.  

“HIP is a terrific compliment to SNAP, especially for communities where access to fresh, healthy produce feels out of reach,” said Secretary Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Today we celebrate this incredible investment in the long-term health of families, farms, and communities across Massachusetts.”  

“At DTA, our mission is to help low-income individuals and set them up well to meet their basic needs. HIP helps us achieve this mission, since it is a way for families to stretch their SNAP dollars and get fresh, healthy produce on top of what they might already be buying,” said DTA Commissioner Cole. “As exciting as it is to hit $100 million in sales, what is even more exciting is remembering that each transaction and each sale is more than just a number: it is one more person who can access fruits and vegetables at a place that works for them. By opening up the program to additional vendors, we are increasing our footprint throughout the state and that allows us to meet even more people where they are at. At a time when there are many federal changes that can reduce benefit amounts and cause confusion among our SNAP recipients, this is a good change that also signals that we are here for our clients and we want to help them access more healthy options.”  

“Massachusetts farmers work incredibly hard to feed our communities, and the Healthy Incentives Program has provided them with direct, reliable economic support,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Achieving $100 million in sales underscores our commitment to expanding access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for families through our strong partnership with DTA. We are thrilled to welcome new farms, farm stands, and mobile markets into the program to enhance their business, close food security gaps, and support local agriculture which will contribute to a more resilient local food system.” 

“This is an exciting milestone for the program,” said Mia Kortebein, DTA Healthy Incentives Program Director. “HIP is an innovative model for healthy local food access and shows how an efficient, EBT-integrated nutrition incentive program can make a real difference in our communities. I’m grateful for the teamwork among farmers, partners, community members, and staff who work with us every day to make local fruits and vegetables more readily available to low-income residents.” 

"The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative is thrilled to celebrate $100 million in lifetime incentives spent by the Healthy Incentives Program,” said Rebecca Miller, Policy Director at the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.  “Since April 2017, each dollar spent through this program supports healthy families and sustainable local farms. HIP is a triple win for farmers, the Massachusetts economy, and our public health. HIP is the first nutrition incentive program in the nation to reach this milestone, thanks to the hard work of agency staff, advocates, and farmers. We look forward to continuing to work with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Legislature, and the more than 500 members of our Campaign for HIP Funding to grow this important program, especially by adding more farmers in underserved areas in the future."   

 “Reaching $100 million in Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) lifetime benefits is an extraordinary milestone — and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we prioritize the people who need nutritious food and the people who provide it day after day,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Co-Chair of the Legislature’s Food System Caucus and Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture & Fisheries. “HIP is a triple win: it helps families put fresh, healthy food on the table; it supports farmers as a reliable income stream; and it strengthens local economies across the Commonwealth. At a time when the federal government is making it harder for people to access food assistance, Massachusetts must lean forward. We know this program works — and we have a responsibility to sustain and grow it for the health and resilience of our communities. Here’s to the next $100 million.” 

 "I am thrilled that the Healthy Incentives Program has distributed $100M in lifetime incentives, an important milestone that speaks to the impact HIP has made for SNAP clients and farms across Massachusetts,” said Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury).. “As a co-chair of the bipartisan and bicameral Food System Caucus and a longtime advocate for HIP in the Legislature, I am grateful to everyone who worked to establish this first of its kind program in the U.S.  The HIP is a triple win and has proven that you can support local agriculture, provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables to all and gain better health outcomes all at the same time.”

Interested farms, farm stands, CSAs, mobile markets and nonprofit food access organizations can contact dta.hip@mass.gov to receive notification when the Notice of Opportunity is released. Once selected, new vendors will be onboarded in phases, expanding access to fresh, locally grown produce for SNAP households across Massachusetts over the coming year. 

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