Massachusetts is accepting applications from new farm vendors for the Healthy Incentives Program from Nov. 10 through Dec. 10, the first time it has opened the program to new vendors since 2022, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced in a Nov. 10 release.
The program puts money back on the EBT cards of families receiving SNAP benefits when they buy eligible fruits and vegetables from participating farm vendors. Since launching in 2017, it has grown to more than 500 locations across the state. In July it passed $100 million in incentives for low-income households, which the administration said is also $100 million in direct sales to Massachusetts farmers.
Farms, farm stands, community-supported agriculture programs, mobile markets and nonprofit food access organizations may apply. Application materials are at Mass.gov/HIPNOO. Selected vendors will be added in phases.
The state said it will give priority to farms and organizations serving communities with limited access to HIP vendors, particularly low-income and historically underserved areas. It will also prefer vendors offering culturally relevant produce, innovative delivery models and services that meet community needs.
The Department of Transitional Assistance, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agricultural Resources announced the change. The administration said it responds to a recommendation from Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force, which was established in July 2025.
"At a time when federal cuts are putting additional pressure on families, we're expanding this program to reach more communities and make sure more people can get the food they need," Healey said. The release does not say how many new vendors the state expects to add or how many it will select.
Rebecca Miller, policy director at the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, said expanding the program to serve more SNAP clients has been a top priority of the group's Campaign for HIP Funding for several years. Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and Rep. Hannah Kane, R-Shrewsbury, also welcomed the change in the release.