Supported by a 2019 Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) pilot project grant (USDA-NIFA Award No. 2019-70030-30397), Glynwood and the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition launched CSA is a SNAP in the spring of 2020. With the goal of increasing participation in Hudson Valley CSA by SNAP customers, this innovative program utilizes GusNIP funds to capitalize a revolving incentive fund, paying farmers upfront for the full value of their share while giving SNAP customers the flexibility to pay week-to-week and at a 50% discount. At the end of the season, SNAP customers will have repaid the farms for 50% of the value of their shares; farms will then repay those funds back into the revolving fund to be used for the upcoming season’s CSA is a SNAP project.
The five farms participating in CSA is a SNAP this season (Glynwood, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Rock Steady Farm, Mimomex Farm and Solid Ground Farm) will collectively distribute 98 full share equivalents to SNAP families over the course of the season. This could translate to upwards of an estimated 600 individuals served this season.
Visit the Hudson Valley CSA Coalition's website to learn more about CSA is a SNAP.
Program Sponsors and Supporters
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This work is supported by Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Grant Program grant no. 2019-70030-30397 / project accession no. 1020889 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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The concept for thie project was supported through a grant from The Gannett Foundation and a crowdfunded campaign sponsored by USA Today's A Community Thrives program.
