H 7258

2026 -- H 7258
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 LC004080
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  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
  Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Kislak, Spears, Boylan, Giraldo, Fogarty,
  Casimiro, Caldwell, Handy, and Ajello
  Date Introduced: January 21, 2026
  Referred To: House Finance
1WHEREAS, 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
4WHEREAS, 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
6 afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being; and
7WHEREAS, Farm Fresh RI established Bonus Bucks in 2009 as a Nutrition Incentive
8 Program that doubles the value of federal SNAP benefits spent in the State of Rhode Island by
9 matching benefits dollar-for-dollar for fresh fruits and vegetables; and
10WHEREAS, Bonus Bucks funds are restricted to the use specifically for purchasing fresh
11 fruit, vegetables and herbs grown by small scale agricultural producers, resulting in both a direct
12 health benefit to low-income Rhode Islanders while supporting the local agricultural economy;
13 and
14WHEREAS, The Farm Fresh RI Bonus Bucks Program has grown in scale to operate at
15 over 27 year round local seasonal farmers markets and farmstands statewide, benefits 108 local
16 farms and 117 locally owned and operated food producers; and distributed over $1.7 million in
17 Bonus Bucks since 2009; now, therefore be it
18RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of money in the treasury not
19 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
  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
  ***
1This 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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