Get Free or Low-Cost Fruits and Vegetables

You may be eligible to get fruits and vegetables for free or low cost. Learn more to see if you qualify through the Fruit and Vegetable Incentive (FVI) Programs.

1. What are FVI Programs?

These programs help people buy fruits and vegetables (produce). They give money, in the form of rewards, to households with lower incomes. The rewards help them eat more produce.

People can use the rewards at places like farmers' markets, mobile markets, and grocery stores. FVI programs may also offer nutrition education, such as classes, cooking lessons, or demonstrations.

2. How do the Programs work?

Two types of FVI programs are nutrition incentive programs and produce prescription programs.

Nutrition Incentive Programs

• These programs give money rewards to shoppers who are eligible. Shoppers can then buy more fruits and vegetables at grocery stores or farmers' markets.
• These programs can also work with stores or markets to lower the price of produce when a customer uses food assistance benefits like "SNAP" -- the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.
• Rewards can be in the form of "EBT" electronic benefits transfer, coupons, discounts, or paper vouchers.
• The rewards can also be a set amount or a "match" for what a shopper spends on produce with their benefit program. For example, a shopper might receive an extra $15 to spend on fruits and vegetables for every $15 they spend on produce on their SNAP EBT card.
• Nutrition incentives are also called market bucks, health bucks, bonus dollars, or produce coupons.

Produce Prescription Programs

• In this program, health care providers "prescribe" fresh produce or other healthy foods. The prescriptions are given to eligible patients who struggle to afford food -- or those who have diet-related health problems.
• A health care provider often finds eligible people by asking patients some questions. If you are eligible, you will be given a "prescription" in the form of coupons, paper vouchers, or a reloadable card. You can use these items to get fruits and vegetables for free, or at a lower price, from farmers' markets, grocery stores, or other participating shops.
• Like nutrition incentives, produce prescriptions can also be called market bucks, health bucks, bonus dollars, produce vouchers, or produce coupons. You also might hear people use these words when talking about produce prescriptions: Food Rx, Fruit and Vegetable Rx (FVRx), Food as Medicine, Food Farmacy, or Veggie Rx.

3. Do I qualify for a FVI Program?

Each program has its own guidelines. If you participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or SNAP, you qualify for some types of nutrition incentive programs.

For produce prescriptions, you may qualify if you have a hard time getting enough food and have a health condition that can be helped by good nutrition. Health conditions include diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or a high-risk pregnancy.

Check programs for more information about eligibility. See Question #5 to find a Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program near you.

4. Are FVI Programs covered by health insurance?

Some health insurance companies will cover FVI programs. If you are a Medicaid member in New York State, you may be eligible for produce prescriptions and other nutritional services through your regional Social Care Network. Check with your health plan to learn more about coverage for FVI programs.

5. Where can I find a Program near me?

Programs are available in every county in New York State!

These nutrition incentive programs serve all of New York State

• Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
• FreshConnect

These serve New York State, outside of New York City

• Double Up Food Bucks
• CSA is a SNAP -- Hudson Valley region only

These serve just New York City

• Get the Good Stuff
• Health Bucks
• CSA is a SNAP -- also serves the Hudson Valley region

To find produce prescriptions near you in New York State, contact the Social Care Network Lead Entity serving your county.

6. Who else can help me find food?

• To find a local food pantry, community meal, soup kitchen, senior meal services, and mobile food resources near you, go to The Food Pantries Food Connect Map.
• Visit your local Regional Food Bank.
• Visit Hunger Solutions New York's Find Food Help webpage.
• Apply for SNAP. If you need help applying, contact your local department of social services or call the toll-free hotline for OTDA, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance: 1-800-342-3009.
• For emergency food help, apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
• The WIC Program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, and referrals to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to age five. Chat with Wanda, WIC's virtual assistant, to get connected to a local WIC office. Spanish translation support is available through a call line.
• Adults 60 and older living in NYC or Long Island can apply for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
• Parents and families can call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 1-800-522-5006.
• Call or text the National Hunger Hotline. Spanish translation support is available through a call line.