Call to Action to Support the Expansion and Enhancement of Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs in New York State

Background: Food and Nutrition Insecurity and Health Disparities in New York State

In New York State, approximately 3 in 10 NYS adults experience food insecurity.1 In addition, 1 in 10 households in the state report food insecurity, which is more common in families with children.2 Those experiencing food insecurity are at a greater risk for numerous chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.1 Due to systemic inequities and barriers, access to affordable and healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables, is limited for many individuals. This includes residents of rural areas, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and low-income neighborhoods, and individuals with disabilities.3

Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Programs

Fruit and vegetable incentive (FVI) programs are proven strategies to increase access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables for households with lower income. Two common types of FVI programs are nutrition incentive and produce prescription programs. The successful implementation of these initiatives necessitates cooperation among healthcare, transportation, and agricultural sectors to guarantee a reliable supply of culturally preferred fruits and vegetables.

Nutrition incentive programs help low-income consumers buy fruits and vegetables by offering extra funds, often matching SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) purchases dollar-for-dollar. Incentives may include electronic benefit transfer (EBT) credits, coupons, tokens, or vouchers and are sometimes called market bucks, health bucks, or produce coupons.

Produce prescription programs allow healthcare providers to prescribe fruits and vegetables to low-income patients with diet-related health issues. Eligible patients receive coupons or vouchers to access produce at no cost or reduced prices from participating retailers. These programs, also known as Food Rx, Veggie Rx, Fruit and Vegetable Rx (FVRx), or Food as Medicine, may also be called market bucks, health bucks, produce vouchers, or produce coupons.

To learn more about FVI programs in New York State, visit the Health Department's webpage: Get Free or Low-Cost Fruit and Vegetables.

Nutrition Incentive and Produce Prescription Programs: A New York State Landscape Assessment

In 2023, the New York State Department of Health partnered with Field & Fork Network to conduct a statewide landscape assessment to better understand current FVI programs operating in New York State and opportunities to expand or enhance programs. Learn more about the assessment and key findings from the materials below.

Public Health Actions to Expand or Enhance FVI Programs

The infographic below highlights seven public health actions for partners to support the expansion or enhancement of FVI programs in New York State.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

To learn more about potential state and local activities to support these recommended public health actions, visit CDC's web page: Strategies for Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Incentives and Produce Prescriptions.

Additional Resources for Partners

References

  1. Food Security, New York State Adults 2023. BRFSS Brief, No. 2025-17. Albany, NY: New York State Department of Health, Division of Nutrition, Evaluation, Research and Surveillance Unit, May 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/brfss/reports/docs/2025-17_brfss_food_security.pdf.
  2. Hunger Solutions New York, Hunger in NYS, Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://hungersolutionsny.org/resources-action/hunger-in-nys/
  3. Christian A. Gregory, Alisha Coleman-Jensen. Food Insecurity, Chronic Disease, and Health Among Working-Age Adults, ERR-235, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, July 2017.