Starting in January 2027, New Yorkers who use SNAP at farmers markets can earn up to $14 a day in Health Bucks, up from $10. A shopper who spends $14 in SNAP benefits at a participating market will take home $28 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. More than 100 markets and farm stands citywide take part.
Key Takeaways
- The Health Bucks daily cap rises from $10 to $14 in January 2027, a 40 percent increase in the maximum daily match.
- Each $2 spent with SNAP at a participating market earns a $2 Health Bucks coupon for fruits and vegetables.
- The city expects to distribute nearly $2.3 million in Health Bucks to SNAP recipients in 2027.
- The increase draws on city funds plus $5.7 million in new federal grant funding through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.
- Health Bucks launched in 2005, and the NYC Health Department has distributed more than $20 million in coupons since then.
Health Bucks Daily Cap Rises From $10 To $14 In January 2027
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the Health Bucks expansion on October 29, 2026. The change is simple on paper: the daily limit on Health Bucks a SNAP shopper can earn goes from $10 to $14. In practice, the full gain goes to households that spend $14 or more in SNAP benefits at a market in a single day. Those shoppers will now leave with $28 in produce instead of $20.
For shoppers who spend less than $10 per visit, nothing changes, since every $2 already earned a $2 match below the old cap. The higher limit matters to larger households, to shoppers stocking up for the week, and to families who make one market trip rather than several. Mayor Mamdani framed the change around grocery prices, saying New Yorkers walk into stores “hoping prices haven’t gone up again.”
How The SNAP Match Works At NYC Farmers Markets
Health Bucks are $2 paper coupons run by the NYC Health Department. Shoppers pay with SNAP benefits on an EBT card at a participating farmers market or farm stand, and market managers hand out $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent. The coupons can then be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at any participating market.
The current dollar-for-dollar match is relatively new. From 2007 to 2020, markets gave $2 in Health Bucks for every $5 in SNAP spending. The city moved to a full match in 2021, and the new cap builds on that change. GrowNYC applies the same match at its Greenmarkets, so shoppers at Union Square, Grand Army Plaza, and neighborhood markets follow the same rules.
Health Bucks also reach New Yorkers outside the market checkout. The Health Department supplies coupons to community and faith-based organizations, which hand them out to residents who take part in nutrition education and other health programs.
New Funding Expected To Put $2.3 Million Into Local Markets
The city expects to distribute nearly $2.3 million in Health Bucks to SNAP recipients in 2027 alone. The program draws on city funding and $5.7 million in new federal grant funding through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, which supports projects that increase fruit and vegetable purchases by SNAP households.
The city tied the expansion to new NYC Health Department research on residents at risk of food insecurity. Among those adults, nearly 8 in 10 had difficulty affording balanced meals, and 18 percent had eaten no fruits or vegetables the previous day. Nearly one-third had received food from emergency services such as food pantries. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga said fresh produce “should not be considered a luxury.”
Farm Stands And Regional Growers Gain From The Increase
Every Health Bucks coupon is spent with a farmer or produce vendor, so the expansion doubles as a small business story. The city says the 2027 funding will benefit dozens of local vendors. For farmers who drive in from the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and Long Island, a larger SNAP match means more sales at each market day, particularly at neighborhood markets in lower-income areas.
NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin described the change as more purchasing power for SNAP households that also supports local farmers. That two-sided benefit is the reason the program has lasted. Health Bucks marks its 20th anniversary this year, and the Health Department has distributed more than $20 million in coupons since 2005.
Market Access Shapes Who Benefits From Health Bucks
Health Bucks only work where farmers markets and farm stands operate, so location and timing decide who benefits. The new cap takes effect in January, when fewer markets are open than in summer and fall. Health Bucks are available year-round at markets that accept EBT, but winter shoppers may need to plan around a smaller list of locations.
New Yorkers can find a nearby market by texting “So Good” to 55676, or “Muy Rico” for Spanish, through the Health Department’s market locator. Checking hours before a visit matters, since many neighborhood markets run on one or two days a week. For SNAP households who can reach a market regularly, the higher cap is a straightforward way to stretch a food budget further starting in the new year.
FAQs
What Are Health Bucks In NYC?
Health Bucks are $2 coupons from the NYC Health Department that can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and farm stands. SNAP shoppers earn them by spending SNAP benefits at those markets.
How Much Can SNAP Shoppers Get In Health Bucks Per Day?
Starting in January 2027, SNAP shoppers can earn up to $14 in Health Bucks per day, up from $10. Each $2 spent in SNAP earns $2 in Health Bucks.
When Does The New Health Bucks Limit Start?
The $14 daily cap begins in January 2027. Until then, the daily limit stays at $10.
Where Can Health Bucks Be Used?
Health Bucks can be used at more than 100 farmers markets and farm stands across New York City, including GrowNYC Greenmarkets. New Yorkers can text “So Good” to 55676 to find a nearby market.
What Can Health Bucks Buy?
Health Bucks can only be used for fresh fruits and vegetables. They are not valid for other farmers market items.
