PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new program at participating grocery stores in South Jersey is incentivizing low-income families to put healthier food on the table.
The Good Food Bucks SNAP and EBT rewards program benefits users at participating ShopRite stores when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
“So if they go and they purchase the fresh food, then they can potentially receive this $5 voucher,” explained Camden County Commissioner Virginia Betteridge.
When food assistance users buy fresh produce, they will get up to $5 off their next produce purchase.
“We know that if we eat properly and intake fruits and vegetables, our health trajectory changes,” Betteridge said. “So for me, as the liaison for the Department of Health and Human Services, it’s really important that we educate our constituents that this program is in existence because ultimately, it benefits their personal health.”
The program is a partnership between Zallie Family Markets and farming non-profit City Green.
Several Zallie Family ShopRite stores in South Jersey are participating in the program, including stores in Sicklerville, Laurel Hill, Lawnside and West Berlin.