SNAP recipients can earn extra benefits by making healthier food choices. Here's how it works

June 10, 2026 - 22:22

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Wednesday that it is expanding access to nutritious foods through the Louisiana Carrot Initiative, a program designed to help SNAP recipients stretch their benefits while making healthier choices. The initiative, which has been running in pilot locations, will now reach more grocery stores and farmers markets across the state.

Here is how it works. When SNAP recipients use their benefits to buy eligible fruits and vegetables, they receive a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a certain limit each month. For example, if someone spends ten dollars on fresh produce, they get an additional ten dollars added to their card to spend on more fruits and vegetables. The goal is to make healthy food more affordable and to reduce diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

The expansion comes as part of a broader push by state health officials to address food insecurity and poor nutrition. The Louisiana Carrot Initiative is funded through a combination of federal grants and private donations. Recipients do not need to sign up separately. The match is applied automatically at participating retailers when they use their EBT card.

State health secretary Dr. Ralph Abraham said the program is a practical way to support families. "We want to make the healthy choice the easy choice," he said. "This incentive helps people put more fresh food on the table without extra cost."

The initiative is expected to reach an additional 50,000 households by the end of the year. Officials encourage SNAP recipients to check with their local grocery store or farmers market to see if they participate.