What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps reduce hunger and food insecurity by providing low-income families with funds to purchase nutritious food. According to the Rhode Island Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report, 38% of Rhode Island households currently struggle to afford enough food, and many of these families rely on SNAP to meet their basic needs.
But SNAP does more than put food on the table–it also plays a vital role in strengthening our local food economy. Through Bonus Bucks, a program of Farm Fresh RI, SNAP recipients can double their purchasing power at local farmers markets. For every SNAP dollar spent, shoppers receive an additional $1 free in Bonus Bucks to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers. This program increases access to healthy, locally grown food for families in need while providing critical income for farmers across the state.
We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the bounty grown in our region. SNAP not only fights food insecurity for families across the country; it also directly strengthens our local food system here in Rhode Island.
Right now, SNAP is on the chopping block. Proposed federal budget cuts will slash or eliminate funding for SNAP, putting millions of families at greater risk of hunger. These cuts would also jeopardize programs like Bonus Bucks—cutting off access to fresh, nutritious food for low-income Rhode Islanders and removing a vital source of revenue for local farmers.
What can you do?
- Contact your members of Congress to advocate for your community.
- Share your story: whether you’re a SNAP shopper, farmer, or market advocate, personal stories help lawmakers understand the impact of these programs.
- Support organizations that fight hunger and advocate for food justice, like Farm Fresh RI, the RI Food Policy Council, and the RI Community Food Bank.
- Spread the word: share this message with friends, family, and your community to raise awareness.
SNAP is essential—for families, farmers, and the future of a healthy, resilient local food system. Let’s work together to protect it.
For media inquiries, please contact communications@farmfreshri.org
