USDA to invest $59 million in Nutrition Incentive Programme

Investment to support and encourage families and individuals to eat more healthfully

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces an investment of $59.4 million to support the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Programme’s (GusNIP) Produce Prescription and Nutrition Incentive programmes designed to encourage families and individuals to eat more healthfully by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

GusNIP programmes strive to improve dietary health through increased consumption of fresh produce, improve individual and household food security, and reduce health care use and associated costs. GusNIP Nutrition Incentive programmes provide incentives at the point of purchase among income-eligible consumers participating in USDA’s SNAP and income-eligible consumers participating in other USDA nutrition assistance programs. 

“Since its creation in 2019, GusNIP projects have increased access to healthy foods, and this investment serves to ensure that even more consumers can provide fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables for their families,” said Dr. Dionne Toombs, Acting Director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

“In fact, as a result of additional funding provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, NIFA is expanding our reach to many first-time program applicants from underrepresented communities nationwide,” he adds.