JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN RHODE ISLAND (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 for incentives for the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program.)

H7258

2026 -- H 7258
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LC004080
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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, Kislak, Spears, Boylan, Giraldo, Fogarty,
Casimiro, Caldwell, Handy, and Ajello

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
1
WHEREAS, Farm Fresh is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with a mission to grow a local food
2
system that values the environment, health, and quality of life for farmers and eaters in our
3
region; and
4
WHEREAS, The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food
5
benefits to low-income families in order to supplement their grocery budget so that they can
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afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being; and
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WHEREAS, Farm Fresh RI established Bonus Bucks in 2009 as a Nutrition Incentive
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Program that doubles the value of federal SNAP benefits spent in the State of Rhode Island by
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matching benefits dollar-for-dollar for fresh fruits and vegetables; and
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WHEREAS, Bonus Bucks funds are restricted to the use specifically for purchasing fresh
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fruit, vegetables and herbs grown by small scale agricultural producers, resulting in both a direct
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health benefit to low-income Rhode Islanders while supporting the local agricultural economy;
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and
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WHEREAS, The Farm Fresh RI Bonus Bucks Program has grown in scale to operate at
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over 27 year round local seasonal farmers markets and farmstands statewide, benefits 108 local
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farms and 117 locally owned and operated food producers; and distributed over $1.7 million in
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Bonus Bucks since 2009; 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 2026-2027, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars

1
($200,000) to Farm Fresh RI to administer the Bonus Bucks Program; and the state controller is
2
hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of
3
said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly
4
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
***
1
This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $200,000 for incentives
2
for the Farm Fresh Bonus Bucks Program.
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LC004080 - Page 3 of 3