Food Program for Veterans and Low-Income Families

To help low-income families and veterans participate in the FreshConnect Checks Program, which increases the purchasing power of food stamps used at participating farmers markets, state officials have $350,000 allocated across New York.

The program has also been extended to operate year-round at participating farmers’ markets, providing the opportunity to use checks 12 months a year.

Just two farmers markets in the lower Hudson Valley are participating: the Nyack farmers market, which is held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays in the municipal parking lot off Main Street; and the Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow market, which operates from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in Patriot’s Park.

A full list and map of participating venues can be found at http://freshconnect.ny.gov.

“The FreshConnect Program allows New Yorkers in need to access locally grown fruits and vegetables, and this year we’re going above and beyond to help people eat healthy,” Governor Cuomo said. “By increasing the amount of funding available and adding year-round partners to the program, we are promoting healthier habits and making a difference in communities across the state.”

The FreshConnect Checks program encourages recipients to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at participating farmers’ markets. The checks provide $2 incentive checks for every $5 in food stamps spent, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP consumers by 40 percent. In 2014, more than $3.2 million in SNAP sales occurred at farmers’ markets throughout the state.

Following the pilot program in 2014, $60,000 in FreshConnect Checks will again be available to veterans, servicemembers, and their immediate family members at New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs offices, on a first-come, first-served basis. Office locations are located on the FreshConnect website.

The Division of Veterans’ Affairs will also be bringing checks to a variety of outreach events throughout New York State. This is a new initiative this year to bring the checks directly to eligible recipients.