Harps Foods rolls out nutritional assistance program in Fort Smith to push local produce

Springdale-based Harps Foods announced Tuesday (Feb. 14) it would roll out a pilot program in Fort Smith designed to extend the buying power of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly referred to as “food stamps”) while incentivizing the purchase of local produce.

The Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) SNAP Produce Program is the first retail grocery incentive program in Arkansas. It is a strategic partnership with the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP), the Arkansas Department of Human Services (ARDHS), and the administrative agency for SNAP. The Arkansas River Valley Regional Food Bank has also endorsed.

The pilot program supports the purchase of locally grown produce for SNAP participants, and will run Feb. 15-March 15, 2017. The Harps Food Store at 3100 Grand Ave. in Fort Smith will administer and monitor the data with the goal being to continue the program and expand to other Fort Smith area stores that participate in the SNAP program.

During the pilot, when SNAP participants choose to purchase local produce, their selections will ring up at half the offered price at the register. A maximum benefit of $20 per household per day is permitted during the one-month period. Harps will be refunded the difference through the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program. The pilot mirrors DUFB programs already offered at 18 Arkansas farmers markets.

With a Sebastian County child food insecurity rate of 30% totaling 6,700 children in Fort Smith alone, Harps is hoping the program can extend buying power of the neediest families while lowering the cost to a healthy diet.

“Our customer commitment extends to encouraging healthier choices,” said David Ganoung, director of marketing for Harps Food Stores. “We are thrilled to extend our level of customer concern by enabling our SNAP patrons to double the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they can serve their families.”

Added Katrina Betancourt, president of ArCOP, “Putting this strategic partnership with Harps Food Stores in action provides a maximum SNAP benefit to families in the right way.”

According to Michele Rodgers, Arkansas’ SNAP outreach manager, “the minimum qualifying SNAP benefit is usually $16, and many shy away from applying because of that, but when I explain the DUFB program and how their $16 is now $32, I hear, ‘how do I apply?’”

The DUFB program is a product of the Fair Food Network of Michigan. According to spokesman Noah Fulmer, DUFB programs are offered in six other states’ grocery stores with an additional six being added in 2017. Other incentive support programs are in place in three additional states.

The DHS SNAPMobile and the Sebastian County SNAP-Ed Coordinator will be on hand to facilitate SNAP applications and nutrition education relative to produce for the launch.

To qualify for SNAP under Arkansas guidelines, one must be a resident of the state and fall into one of two groups: 1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001; or 2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, spouse, parent, or oneself).

Participants must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below $15,444 for an individual, $31,590 for a household of four, and $53,157 for a household of eight.

Harps Food Stores operates more than 86 grocery stores, mostly in Arkansas but also in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Its stores operate under the Harps Food Stores and Price Cutter Food Warehouse banners. Harps operated as a family-run chain until 2001 when it became an employee-owned business.