HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A Huntington market is the latest establishment in the Mountain State to launch SNAP Stretch.
SNAP Stretch is a nutrition incentive program that aims to improve the health outcomes in West Virginia. With SNAP Stretch, citizens can use their EBT card and purchase from local participating farmers markets and stores and the program matches the dollars spent. Then, the SNAP Stretch dollars can be spent on the locally grown produce, fruit and vegetables.
Unlimited Future Inc. in Huntington is now part of the program. Officials held a love SNAP Stretch event at the market Friday to spread awareness of the program.
Cordel Bostic, who serves as the WVFFC Communication and Legislative Policy Coordinator on the SNAP Stretch, appeared on MetroNews Midday Friday. He says SNAP Stretch is a great way to get healthy food in the bellies of West Virginians.
“It gets more people to the market and using their dollars at the local market,” Bostic said. “We have other markets in the northern part of the state where they get whole new clienteles coming into their grocery store because they have this incentive.”
“This program has been a win for local communities and local business because it’s keeping our dollars in the counties and in the state with the people it belongs to,” he continued.
In April, Governor Patrick Morrisey signed the state budget bill, which included $360,000 in funding for the program.
The state has sent in separate waiver application for what’s eligible for food stamp purchase was approved. One request, which prohibits SNAP benefits from being used on sugary drinks like soda, was approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Another request aimed to allow SNAP benefits to be used for hot, healthy foods.
Cabell County Delegate Evan Worrell joined Bostic on MetroNews Midday to talk about the SNAP Stretch program and SNAP benefits in general. He says that state leaders are trying to get the word out about healthy, affordable programs like this.
“We all know this, healthier foods cost more money, so the SNAP Stretch program, that’s why we champion it through the session and put it in the budget,” Worrell said. “It’s so important to put your money where your mouth is. If we want people to eat healthier, we need to be able to support that program to say, ‘Hey, there are local farmers markets you can go to and purchase healthier food.”
For single West Virginians that use their EBT card at participating markets, the program matches it dollar for dollar. Those with a child get a 2:1 match and senior citizens raising a child/grandchild get a 3:1 match.