Latest news with #AbbyMcClelland
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colorado SNAP benefits to cover up to $60 for qualifying fruits, vegetables
DENVER (KDVR) — Coloradans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have the opportunity to be reimbursed up to $60 a month when purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables, according to a press release from the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program provides an immediate credit for the fruits and vegetables from participating locations to the shopper's EBT card. Ball Arena owner buys River Mile development area including Meow Wolf, Elitch Gardens The program stems from a collaboration with Nourish Colorado, which co-piloted the electronic healthy incentive program in an effort to make healthy food more affordable for families. Since the launch of the program, the redemption rate for the bonus has been more than 99%, according to the release. 'The Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program helps families stretch their food budget and access fruits and vegetables that they may not have bought without this incentive program,' said Abby McClelland, director of CDHS's Food and Energy Assistance Division, in the press release. 'This is especially important with the increase in grocery prices that we have seen recently.' The program said that it has three easy steps, including: Buy eligible fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer Get a dollar-for-dollar match automatically added to your EBT card to use at any SNAP location. Get up to $60 reimbursed per month Spend your bonus on any SNAP-eligible items at any SNAP-authorized retailer 'Most people that come in know about the program and are stoked and then just keep coming back,' said Emma Kottenstette, founder of Farm Runners, a retailer that sells local produce on the Western Slope. 'Once they find out about the program one time, it's like they don't need any convincing.' More than 30 locations participate in the program across Colorado. For more information on the program, visit the Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colorado Department of Human Services launches new pilot project
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) – Recently, the Colorado Department of Human Services has launched a program in SNAP for Coloradoans to receive a bonus when buying healthy foods. Abby McClelland, the director of the Food and Energy Assistance Division at the Colorado Department of Human Services, states, 'This is a pilot program that we're really excited to be a part of in Colorado. We're one of three states administering this program. So we're really excited that it's available to Colorado SNAP participants.' There is a benefit to eating greens, and there is going to be more green coming to the SNAP program here in the Centennial State. The Colorado Department of Human Services has announced a new pilot project in which Coloradans on the SNAP program can go to participating retailers and buy fruits and vegetables. With and automatically, they will receive a full rebate, up to $60 a month on their SNAP cards, that they can use for any SNAP-eligible food. And the best part is it doesn't require an application or any vouchers. It's all done electronically. McClelland states, 'So I would urge folks to check the retailer list, because we're adding retailers all the time. So far, our focus has been on smaller retailers like farmers market vendors or smaller brick-and-mortar stores in more rural areas in order to keep the benefits feeding the local economy as well, but we're looking to expand to even more retailers over the next year or so. Officials from the CDHS say there are more than 30 locations here in Colorado. WesternSlopeNow was able to see there are three locations on the Western Slope. One in Grand Junction that is only open on Saturdays and two in Hotchkiss. There is another program that is also helping Coloradans with SNAP benefits. 'There's another similar program called Double Up Box, which […] is available at farmers markets, which runs concurrently. So there are multiple ways that people can get these reimbursements for buying produce. That's a program where you do get a paper voucher,' McClelland said. McClelland says Louisiana and Washington State are also among the three states that launched this program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
SNAP Benefits Bonus Available For 580,000 Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have announced. Why It Matters Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are provided to low- and no-income families across the U.S. to help them with the cost of groceries. Colorado has around 584,000 SNAP recipients —10 percent of its population — all of whom are eligible for the boost. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have said. SNAP recipients in Colorado can get extra benefits this summer providing they make healthy purchases, state officials have said. GETTY What To Know SNAP participants can get up to $60 per month via a dollar-for-dollar match on fruits and vegetables bought from participating retailers as part of the Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program. Last summer, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), in collaboration with Nourish Colorado, launched a pilot of the electronic Healthy Incentive Program to make nutritious food more affordable for families. Since its debut, more than 99 percent of the bonus benefits have been successfully redeemed. To participate, SNAP users just need to purchase eligible fruits and vegetables at a participating retailer. They will automatically receive a dollar-for-dollar match added to their electronic benefit transfer card, which can be used at any SNAP-authorized location. You can earn up to $60 in bonus funds each month, which can then be spent on any SNAP-eligible items at any authorized retailer. There are around 30 retailers participating in the program, with some in populous areas like Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Loveland, as well as smaller towns like Mancos and Hotchkiss. Bricks and mortar retailers are not the only businesses participating, with farm stands and markets in numerous locations also taking part. What People Are Saying Abby McClelland, director of CDHS's Food and Energy Assistance Division, said in a statement: "The Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus program helps families stretch their food budget and access fruits and vegetables that they may not have bought without this incentive program. This is especially important with the increase in grocery prices that we have seen recently." Emma Kottenstette, founder of retailer Farm Runners, said: "Most people that come in know about the program and are stoked and then just keep coming back. Once they find out about the program one time, it's like they don't need any convincing." What Happens Next The program comes at a time when various states have succeeded in limiting SNAP purchases for unhealthy foods like soda and candy, with more expected to have waivers approved in the coming weeks and months. Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana have recently had waivers approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds the program, to eliminate certain purchases being made with SNAP benefits in a push to promote healthy eating.
