Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (snap)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low- and no-income people and families living in the United States. It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; however, distribution of benefits occurs at the state level. In Indiana, the Family and Social Services Administration is responsible for ensuring federal regulations are initially implemented and consistently applied in each county.

fresh bucks

Fresh Bucks is a nutrition incentive program that provides the opportunity for individuals and families who utilize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), recognized as Hoosier Works/EBT in Indiana, to purchase more fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers at participating farmers markets, at farm stands, and at grocery stores in Marion County.

For more information, please visit freshbucksindy.org

FA:1A - COMPLETE

FA:1A - “Subsidize the cost of EBT equipment, removing a barrier for markets and grocers to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) vouchers.”

In addition to lowering barriers to SNAP access, extra importance rests on equipping local stores with tools to accept SNAP. In 2021, the City of Indianapolis partnered with Indy Local Grocers Coalition (ILGC) to invest $290,000 at ILGC affiliates to accept SNAP benefits. ILGC stores are primarily in low food-access areas making ensured SNAP acceptance paramount to affordable access to healthy food. SNAP certification requires stores to stock certain healthy foods. ILGC stores that accept SNAP provide a neighborhood outlet for families to redeem food benefit dollars contributing to overcoming food insecurity in our city.

FA:1B - COMPLETE

FA:1B - “Advocate to increase access to SNAP benefits, including removing the asset limit from SNAP qualifications.”

In April of 2020, the USDA passed emergency allotments for the state of Indiana, meaning all Indiana residents who apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be approved. The previously required asset limit is no longer necessary.

This emergency order was extended through May 2022. The program in Indiana saw an 85.28 % increase in fund issuance in 2020 and 21.74% in 2021.

FSSA: DFR: Statistics (in.gov)

Indy Parks meals program

Since 2013, the Indy Parks Meals Program has served over 3 million meals to our community. In 2023, Indy Parks provided 191,396 meals to residents across the city. Indy Parks proudly serves free meals year-round through different programs:

• Food Pantries

• Drive & Dish

• After School Meal Service

• Summer Meal Service

For more information, please visit Indy Parks and Recreation or call (317) 327-7275.

Community Compass

In 2020, the City of Indianapolis joined community partners to launch "Community Compass," an innovative, multi-platform resource designed to connect Indianapolis residents to critical food resources and nutrition assistance. Community Compass contains a finder for resources like food pantries, Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) retailers and clinics, hot meal sites, farmers’ markets and other food-related events, and more. Additionally, the platform will help residents navigate the nutrition assistance programs to determine if they may qualify for SNAP, WIC or other nutrition benefits. Download the Community Compass app on Apple or Android devices or by texting “hi” to 317-434-3758.

For more information, please visit Community Compass.

Food Resource Services Hub (FRSH)

Navigating Indianapolis food resources can be challenging. A project of the Indy Hunger Network, FRSH was launched in 2023 to help connect Marion County residents to food assistance resources. FRSH connects individuals with navigators who provide one-on-one guidance for finding and accessing resources. Click here to learn more.

Neighborhood Food Champions

The Neighborhood Food Champions program is designed to support residents in the community who are engaged in addressing food access issues in their neighborhoods. Each Champion receives comprehensive training to sustain a community project, as well as a $2,000 project award. The program is open to Marion County residents age 16 and older. Participation in this program requires:

• interest in the food issues of your community,

• attendance at weekly 2-hour workshops for 10-11 weeks,

• an identified food-related project to develop,

• a proposal submission after 10-week program, and

• a presentation to fellow participants and members of the community.

Indy Food Fund

The Indy Food Fund is an annual competitive grant program supported by the Division of Community Nutrition and Food Policy (DCNFP). Funds are awarded to Indianapolis/Marion County residents or organizations and provide support for food system initiatives. In 2022, Indy Food Fund distributed $132,405 to 17 organizations.

In 2026, the program is administered by Earth Charter Indiana as Roots to Rise: The Indianapolis Food Fund. The program’s mission is to build and expand access to an equitable food system that is both nutritious and culturally relevant throughout Indianapolis and Marion County.

Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.

Lyft Indy Grocery Access Program

This program aimed to increase community access to grocery stores. Using a promo code, riders could get $1 rides to and from the nearest eligible store. The code was valid for up to 8 rides per account. The rider paid the first $1 and the City covered up to $9, with anything over $10 being charged to the rider. Rides had to begin or end at a grocery store within Marion County that accepts SNAP.

Seed to Store

Seed to Store was a farm-to-store pilot program that fostered connections between local minority-led urban farms & community gardens and food enterprises. This initiative showed the City’s commitment to supporting and empowering Indy’s local food system. By supporting grocery stores located in food deserts (areas that have limited access to affordable and nutritious foods), Seed to Store helped connect community members with healthy, nutritious food and fresh produce.

Good Food for All

The Good Food for All Program was a food equity-driven pilot initiative that addressed food insecurity in low-income areas in Indianapolis & Marion County. This partnership delivered 301,139 pounds of fresh produce, 13,093 healthy food boxes, and 937 recipe books with 15 partners over 13 weeks.

The Indianapolis Urban League was a Good Food for All partner. They were able to support about 1,950 families over the course of the program with produce boxes.

Indy Local Grocers Coalition

The Indy Local Grocers Coalition (ILGC) was a supportive network of diverse individuals that united to create change within the Indianapolis local grocery industry. The ILGC worked to increase food access and food distribution of fresh produce in Marion County regardless of geographic barriers. The fifteen member grocers were small businesses located in Indianapolis who were willing to sell seasonal and local produce, wanted to be SNAP/WIC certified, and were interested in promoting nutrition. They believed collective power to be essential in overcoming food insecurity in Indianapolis.