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 from local farmers at participating Farmers Markets 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 Food Support

Indy Parks proudly serves its free meals program year-round. Since 2013, almost 3 million meals have been served to nearby communities. The 2022 Summer Servings program provided 207,587 meals.

• Open to ALL kids 18 and under

• Available Monday through Friday (5 days)

• Locations all around Marion County (see list)

• No registration necessary - completely FREE

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

Indy Local Grocers Coalition

The Indy Local Grocers Coalition (ILGC), is a supportive network of diverse individuals that are united to create change within the Indianapolis local grocery industry. The ILGC aims to increase food access and food distribution of fresh produce in Marion County regardless of geographic barriers. We believe that collective power is essential to overcoming food insecurity in our city. Fifteen member grocers meet the requirements of being small businesses in Indianapolis, willing to sell seasonal produce, wanting to be SNAP/WIC certified, interested in promoting nutrition material, and open to selling local produce and products.

For more information, please visit Indy Local Grocers Coalition.

Indy Food Fund

The Indy Food Fund is an annual, objectively scored, competitive grant program awarded to Indianapolis & Marion County residents or organizations to provide support for food system initiatives. In 2022, Indy Food Fund distributed $132,405 for food projects to 17 organizations. 2023 submissions have closed and are under review. The Indy Food Fund’s mission is to connect Indianapolis residents with long-term food and nutrition resources they need by:

• Making strategic investments in neighborhoods and communities suffering from food access and insecurity.

• Working closely with community members to develop innovative ways to connect residents with the food and nutrition resources they need.

• Leveraging the resources of the City of Indianapolis, in combination with those of community partners, funders, and developers, to drive sustainable growth in all areas of the Indianapolis food system.

Neighborhood Food Champions

The Neighborhood Food Champion 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. 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 work on developing.

• A proposal submission after 10-week program.

• A presentation to other participants in the program and members of the community.

• Must be a resident of Marion County and 16 years of age or older

seed to store

Seed to Store is a farm-to-store pilot program that fosters connections between local minority-led urban farms and community gardens, and food enterprises. This initiative shows the City’s commitment to supporting and empowering the local food system of Indy. Seed to Store supports grocery stores located in food desert areas that are in need of healthy nutritious food and fresh produce to offer to underserved residents in their community.

Currently, we partner with four Indy Local Grocers Coalition-affiliated grocery stores, connecting them to four minority-owned local urban farms and community gardens. Indianapolis Community Food Access Advisory Committee (Indy FCAC) was essential in leading community outreach and developing relationships between grocers and farmers.

Good food for all

The Good Food for All Program is a food equity-driven pilot initiative that addresses food insecurity in low-income areas in Indianapolis & Marion County. This partnership has 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 is a Good Food for All partner. They were able to support about 1,950 families over the course of the program with produce boxes.

Community Food 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 such resources as 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.

Lyft Indy Grocery Access Program

Need a ride to the grocery store? Use Lyft code FEEDINDY to get $1 rides to and from your nearest eligible store. (Valid for up to 8 rides. Rider will pay the first $1, and the City will cover up to $9 – anything over $10 will be charged to the rider. Rides must begin or end at a grocery store in Marion County that accepts SNAP.)

For more information and to get signed up, please visit Lyft Grocery Access.