2025 -- H 5536

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LC001600

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN

RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Tanzi, Furtado, Morales, Stewart, Cortvriend,
Fogarty, Ajello, Alzate, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2025

     Referred To: House Finance

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     WHEREAS, Founded in 2004, Farm Fresh is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with a mission to

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grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life for farmers and

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eaters in our region; and

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     WHEREAS, The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food

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benefits to low-income families in order to supplement their grocery budget in order that they can

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afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being; and

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     WHEREAS, Farm Fresh RI’s Bonus Bucks program is a Nutrition Incentive program that

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doubles the value of SNAP benefits that are spent on fruit, vegetables and herbs from local farms;

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and

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     WHEREAS, To date, Farm Fresh has distributed over $1.7 million in Bonus Bucks; and

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     WHEREAS, Farm Fresh provides Bonus Bucks nutrition incentives to help provide more

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fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to families in need at 27 sites across Rhode Island,

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primarily at local seasonal farmers markets; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not

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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars

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($200,000) to Farm Fresh RI for the Bonus Bucks program; and the state controller is hereby

 

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authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said

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sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly

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authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN

RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 for incentives

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for the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program.

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