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Mamdani expands free produce programs for New Yorkers on SNAP
By
Karen Yi
Published Nov 8, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET
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Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Karen Yi
Published Nov 8, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET
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The Mamdani administration is expanding two fresh produce programs that help SNAP recipients take home free fruits and vegetables.
The additional funding for Health Bucks and Get the Good Stuff comes amid persistently high food costs and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Program by the federal government that left at least 26,500 New Yorkers without the monthly food aid. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is also launching five city-owned grocery stores to further alleviate pricey grocery bills and slash prices by 30%.
“Every New Yorker should be able to afford a well-balanced, healthy diet,” Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga said in a statement. “But rising grocery prices have put fresh fruits and vegetables out of reach for far too many families.”
Get the Good Stuff lets SNAP recipients get a dollar for dollar match for every dollar they spend on fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables and beans. The program offers up to $10 dollars cash back at participating grocery stores. The program is currently available at 21 supermarkets but city officials said they would fund another 12 grocery stores interested in participating. Stores can apply through Nov. 20.
The Health Bucks program allows New Yorkers on SNAP benefits to get cash back if they shop at local farmer's markets and farm stands. SNAP users can get $2 dollars for every $2 dollars they spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. But starting in January, that matching program will be increased. So instead of $10 dollars back, New Yorkers will be able to get up to $14 dollars for every dollar they spend.
The city’s health department said among adults who are at risk of food insecurity, nearly eight in 10 struggled to afford balanced meals, according to new research. And almost one in five had not eaten any fruits or vegetables the previous day.
“Fruits, vegetables, and beans are important to a balanced diet and help reduce the risk of diet-related diseases. But with the rise in grocery prices, they aren't always affordable,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin.
New Yorkers can look up participating grocery stores and find their nearest farmer’s market on the city’s health map.
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new york city
Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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