Ohio's "Produce Perks" program may help many families manage the end of a federal program that distributed additional food stamp benefits during the pandemic. Starting March 1, people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will no longer receive the extra dollars (emergency allotments) provided since March 2020 in response to economic hardships caused by COVID. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Produce Perks program is available to all Ohioans who receive SNAP and P-EBT 

  • Any amount spent with SNAP/EBT or P-EBT, up to $25, will be matched $1-for-$1, and can be spent on fruits and vegetables

  • There are 125 participating locations across Ohio: produceperks.org

Produce Perks is Ohio’s Nutrition Incentive Program. Families enrolled in SNAP do not have to sign up for the program. All that is required is to present an EBT or P-EBT card at a participating farmers market or grocery store, which are located across the state. SNAP purchasing power can be increased through the program, as each dollar of SNAP spent on fruits and vegetables provides an additional dollar for produce, up to $25.

Details can be found at produceperks.org.

Spectrum News interviewed Tevis Foreman, executive director of Produce Perks. 

"Food is expensive these days and healthy foods, even more expensive," explained Foreman. "And so the program, in short, works to empower that customer to provide the dignity of choice for that individual to make healthy food choices for themselves and their families and strengthening their purchasing power, allowing them to purchase these healthy foods and locations within their neighborhood." 

Watch the full interview above above for more information on the Produce Perks program.