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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 29

NYC Mayor Mamdani Expands

Program Helping SNAP Recipients

Receive Fresh, Healthy Groceries

Local grocery stores can apply by November 20 to join a program that has supported more

than $8.9 million in eligible food purchases since 2009

OUR BUREAU

NEW YORK, NY
ayor Zohran Kwame Mam-
dani has announced an ex-
Mpansion of Get the Good
Stuff, a program that makes fresh
fruits, vegetables and beans more af-
fordable for New Yorkers enrolled
in the Supplemental Nutrition Assis-
tance Program (SNAP).
Through Get the Good Stuff,
every dollar SNAP recipients spend
on eligible produce earns a dol-
lar-for-dollar match, up to $10 per
day, that can be used toward future
purchases of those same eligible
foods. The NYC Health Department,
in partnership with the Fund for Pub-
lic Health NYC, will expand to 12 ad-
ditional grocery stores and is accept-
ing applications from local grocers
through November 20. Alister F. Martin. “We are proud to their dollars further when they shop received food from emergency food
“In the richest city in the richest expand Get the Good Stuff in more for fruits, vegetables, and beans. Our services, such as food pantries.
country in the history of the world, too locations across the city so more New supermarket partners understand that Get the Good Stuff is currently
many New York families can’t afford Yorkers can afford more of the foods affordable, nutritious food is essential available at 21 grocery stores across
the groceries they need,” said Mayor that keep us healthy, while supporting for strong communities. Together, New York City. Since 2019, the pro-
Mamdani. “Get the Good Stuff helps the city’s local economy.” we’re fighting hunger, supporting our gram has supported $8.9 million in el-
SNAP recipients stretch their benefits “No New Yorker should be forced local economy, and making it easier igible food purchases at participating
further and bring home fresh fruits, to sacrifice a healthy diet to make ends for New Yorkers to eat well.” grocery stores, generating more than
vegetables and beans. We’re expand- meet, but the rising cost of groceries As part of the City’s commitment $12 million in economic impact. Eligi-
ing this program because every New have made nutritious foods like fruits to making groceries more affordable, ble foods include fresh, frozen, canned
Yorker deserves access to nutritious and vegetables inaccessible for many Mayor Mamdani secured $3.1 million and dried fruits, vegetables and beans
food, no matter how much money New Yorkers,” said Department of in annual baseline funding for Get without added sugar, salt, or fat.
they make.” Social Services Commissioner Erin the Good Stuff in the fiscal year 2027 Last week, Mayor Mamdani
“Every New Yorker should be Dalton. “While the federal govern- budget. The expansion is supported announced that SNAP recipients
able to afford a well-balanced, healthy ment makes it harder for low-income by a $5.7 million grant awarded to the would be able to receive 40% more in
diet,” said Deputy Mayor for Health New Yorkers to access critical benefits NYC Health Department through the Health Bucks, the City’s program that
and Human Services Dr. Helen Ar- like SNAP, New York City is working Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive provides $2 in fresh produce vouchers
teaga. “But rising grocery prices have hard to not only ensure that families Program, a competitive federal grant for every $2 SNAP recipients spend at
put fresh fruits and vegetables out of can keep their benefits, but that they program that funds initiatives to in- farmers markets and farm stands. By
reach for far too many families. Ex- can get afford to purchase the nutri- crease fruit and vegetable purchases increasing the daily cap from $10 to
panding Get the Good Stuff will help tious food they deserve through initia- among SNAP recipients. $14, the administration expects to dis-
more New Yorkers afford the nutri- tives like Get the Good Stuff.” Programs like Get the Good Stuff tribute nearly $2.3 million in Health
tious food they need while supporting “We are incredibly proud to help are associated with increased fruit and Bucks to SNAP recipients in 2027
neighborhood grocery stores across New Yorkers ‘Get the Good Stuff,’” vegetable consumption and improved alone, supporting dozens of local ven-
the five boroughs.” said Executive Director of the May- food security. New research from the dors and the New Yorkers who shop
“Fruits, vegetables, and beans or’s Office of Food Policy Siddhartha NYC Health Department found that with them.
are important to a balanced diet and Sanchez. “New York City is leading among adults at risk of food insecuri- New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP
help reduce the risk of diet-related initiatives that increase food security ty, nearly eight in 10 had difficulty af- may find vendors near them that par-
diseases. But with the rise in grocery so that everyone can lead a healthy fording balanced meals, 18% had not ticipate in Get the Good Stuff and
prices, they aren’t always affordable,” life. By partnering with local business- eaten any fruits or vegetables the pre- Health Bucks programs on the NYC
said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. es, we’re helping New Yorkers stretch vious day, and nearly one-third had Health Map.

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