In a recent press release Wholesome Wave announced they received a US$3.77 million, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant program.
According to Wholesome Wave, this grant will support the expansion of the organization’s national network of nutrition incentive programs, increase affordable access of fruits and vegetables for more than 110,000 SNAP consumers in 17 states and Washington D.C., establish a minimum of 177 new incentive programs at direct-to-consumer outlets, while simultaneously benefiting more than 3,400 small and mid-sized farm businesses. Wholesome Wave’s fund to improve affordable food access includes a total of US$7.4 million with the FINI grant in addition to partner support.
The FINI grant allocated a total of US$31.5 million this year. “It is an honor for Wholesome Wave to be awarded such a significant grant from the USDA,” said Wholesome Wave Founder and CEO, Michel Nischan in the press release. “I look forward to seeing the tremendous impact this funding will have in the lives of SNAP consumers and farmers.”
According to Wholesome Wave, the FINI grant is a significant stride taken by the United States government to empower the nation’s most food insecure to make healthy food choices.
More information on the grant program can be found here.