Rhode Island Lawmakers, Officials Celebrate Success of 'Eat Well, Be Well'

PROVIDENCE, RI — State lawmakers and officials, leaders from the nonprofit, food access, and grocery sectors, celebrated the early success and recent extension of the Eat Well, Be Well program.

Eat Well, Be Well is a statewide, public-private initiative that helps Rhode Islanders who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program more easily access and afford fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a media release.

"Through the program, SNAP customers receive an additional 50 cents in benefits to their EBT cards for every SNAP dollar spent on eligible fresh fruit and vegetable purchases at participating grocery stores, with up to $25 in extra benefits being awarded per month," the release said. "Eat Well, Be Well incentives are available at all Walmart and Stop & Shop locations in Rhode Island, and at the West African Super Store in South Providence."

More than 106,000 Rhode Island households have benefited from Eat Well, Be Well, earning roughly $10 million in additional SNAP funding by buying healthy, fresh produce in the grocery store, since its launch in 2024, according to the release.