Mamdani announces SNAP recipients can earn 40% more in Health Bucks

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in an Oct. 29 news release that those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be able to earn 40% more in Health Bucks.

Health Bucks is a city program that matches every $2 spent at farmers markets and farm stands using SNAP on an EBT card that was launched to make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable, and to support local vendors, according to the city.

The daily cap on Health Bucks is $10 a day, but Mamdani said it will be increased to $14 a day beginning in January 2027. The administration expects to distribute nearly $2.3 million to SNAP recipients throughout next year, according to the release.

Health Bucks is funded through the city and $5.7 million in new grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, the release said.

Mamdani said as food insecurity rises, families are forced to skip fruits and vegetables.

“This program puts fresh produce within reach and makes groceries more affordable for families on SNAP, all while rewarding the local markets and farm stands that supply our communities with high-quality, nutritious foods,” Mamdani said.