Health Bucks Program

The program aims to increase access to healthy food by providing New Yorkers with additional resources to purchase fresh, regionally grown fruits and vegetables. For every $2 spent in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at NYC farmers markets, shoppers get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day. Community organizations can apply for a limited number of free Health Bucks to distribute as incentives during health promotion activities, fostering connections between community members and local farmers markets. Elected officials, city agencies, and organizations can also purchase coupons to distribute.

The Health Bucks program was launched to increase access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for New Yorkers with low incomes and to support local farmers markets, especially those located in neighborhoods with historical disinvestment, inequitable rates of diet-related chronic disease, and high rates of poverty. The program was created by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in partnership with farmers markets and community organizations. The program aligns with broader public health goals to reduce diet-related illnesses such as obesity and diabetes​.

The program is operated by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Each Health Buck coupon has a serial number and farmers markets and community organizations track the serial numbers of Health Bucks distributed. The Heath Department contracts with the Farmers Market Federation of New York to reimburse farmers for redeemed Health Bucks and track redemption. The Health Department uses distribution and redemption data to determine coupon redemption rates.

A 2010 program evaluation found that the Health Bucks program has enhanced access to fresh, locally grown produce by encouraging more farmers and vendors to operate in low-income neighborhoods. Surveys indicate that Health Bucks users visit farmers markets more frequently and spend more during their visits. Additionally, the program supports strategies to reduce diet-related chronic diseases, as community-based organizations (CBOs) often integrate Health Bucks with other health promotion activities such as nutrition education and counseling. Many CBOs have also reported expanding their nutrition programming due to the opportunities created by distributing Health Bucks. CBOs also promote the Health Bucks SNAP incentive, reaching people who might not otherwise visit a farmers market.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: farmersmarkets@health.nyc.gov New York City Mayor’s Office of Food Policy: nycfood@cityhall.nyc.gov