Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. We support state and local policies that increase access to healthy food and beverages, decrease access to unhealthy food and beverages, make it easier to eat healthy, and drive industry innovation to improve the healthfulness of food and drinks.
For example, food costs in Hawaii are approximately 68% higher than the national average. To help make healthy food affordable, Voices for Healthy Kids awarded a grant to the Hawaii Appleseed Center. The Center used the grant to launch an advocacy campaign seeking $1 million in state funding for a statewide Double Up Food Bucks incentive program. As a result of the coalition’s efforts, the state legislature passed a $100,000 allocation for Double Up Food Bucks. By leveraging state funding, the Center also raised an additional $950,000 from other funding sources to expand the program. This means more farmers’ markets in the state will participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which increases their sales and improves the local economy. Additionally, more food-insecure families will have access to healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables.
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