{"id":26605,"date":"2021-07-09T13:50:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T17:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=26605"},"modified":"2021-07-09T13:50:25","modified_gmt":"2021-07-09T17:50:25","slug":"nys-new-york-state-announces-600000-available-in-freshconnect-checks-to-assist-low-income-families-and-veterans-with-access-to-healthy-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/07\/09\/nys-new-york-state-announces-600000-available-in-freshconnect-checks-to-assist-low-income-families-and-veterans-with-access-to-healthy-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"NYS\/New York State announces $600,000 available in FRESHCONNECT checks to assist low-income families and veterans with access to healthy foods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Division of Veterans Services Launches Three New Sites for Veterans to Pick Up Checks<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets today announced more than $600,000 is available to help low-income families enrolled in SNAP, as well as Veterans, Servicemembers, and their immediate families who participate in the FreshConnect Checks Program. This program increases the purchasing power of food stamps used at participating farmers\u2019 markets. More than 257,000 checks have already been issued to 82 sites across the state to help eligible New Yorkers access healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, while also providing a boost to the agriculture industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said,<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cOur farmers\u2019 markets have seen an increased number of visitors, particularly over this last year during the pandemic as more New Yorkers turned to their local markets to do their food shopping. We want to ensure that everyone who is eligible knows that they can tap into the FreshConnect Checks program and use this benefit to purchase healthy fruits and vegetables. The program provides for these healthy alternatives while helping farmers expand their reach into new markets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The FreshConnect Checks program encourages recipients to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at participating farmers\u2019 markets. The program provides $2 incentive coupons for every $5 in SNAP benefits spent with the market, increasing the purchasing power of SNAP consumers by 40 percent. In 2020, more than $2.9 million in SNAP sales occurred at farmers&#8217; markets throughout the state. A full list of participating markets can be found\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.ny.gov\/farmersmarkets\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/agriculture.ny.gov\/farmersmarkets\">Farmers&#8217; Markets | Agriculture and Markets (ny.gov)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">$200,000 in FreshConnect Checks will again be available to Veterans, Servicemembers, and their immediate family members at all of the New York State Division of Veterans&#8217; Services (DVS) offices statewide, and at Division of Veterans\u2019 Services outreach programs conducted throughout New York State, on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no income restrictions, combat service requirements, or length of military service requirements for a Veteran, Servicemember, or eligible family member to receive an allotment of FreshConnect Checks. Each eligible Veteran, Servicemember, or family member receives $20 worth of FreshConnect Checks for redemption at farmers\u2019 markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DVS and the Department of Agriculture and Markets have joined together every year since 2014 to distribute FreshConnect Checks to Veterans, Servicemembers, and their immediate family members. In 2019, the program received national recognition when it received the highly respected Pillars of Excellence Award from the Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, praising the program\u2019s innovations and statewide successes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Division of Veterans\u2019 Services Executive Deputy Director Joel Evans said,&nbsp;<\/strong>\u201cOur FreshConnect Checks partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Markets has grown during the past seven years into one of New York State\u2019s most popular offerings for Veterans, Servicemembers, and Military Families. Food insecurity strikes Veterans at alarmingly high rates across our nation, and the FreshConnect Program is one of the ways that we join forces to combat this issue here in New York. We look forward to another successful FreshConnect season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said,<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cThis program is welcome relief at a time when so many families and local businesses continue to feel the economic toll incurred by the pandemic. By stretching the purchasing power of food benefits at farmer&#8217;s markets, we are encouraging SNAP households to explore healthy food options while also providing much-needed revenue for local farms and agricultural businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Farmers\u2019 Market Federation of New York Executive Director Diane Eggert said,<\/strong>&nbsp;\u201cThe FreshConnect programs help our markets to achieve a goal of providing healthy food to everyone within their community. It also builds sales for our state\u2019s farmers and food producers. We believe the FreshConnect program to be a win-win for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FreshConnect-funded projects aim to provide a boost to New York farmers and ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of income, have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and are encouraged to accept other nutrition incentives, such as WIC and Senior Farmers&#8217; Market Nutrition Programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Division of Veterans Services Launches Three New Sites for Veterans to Pick Up Checks Press release The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets today announced more than $600,000 is available to help low-income families enrolled in SNAP, as well as Veterans, Servicemembers, and their immediate families who participate \u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/07\/09\/nys-new-york-state-announces-600000-available-in-freshconnect-checks-to-assist-low-income-families-and-veterans-with-access-to-healthy-foods\/\">Continue reading<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[716],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nys"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-6V7","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34009,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/07\/08\/nys-state-agriculture-commissioner-announces-applications-open-for-30-nys-initiative\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":0},"title":"NYS\/State Agriculture Commissioner announces applications open for 30% NYS Initiative","author":"aka","date":"July 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Initiative Increases the Amount of New York State Products Used in School Lunches Department of Agriculture and Markets Administering Program in 2022 as Part of Governor Hochul\u2019s State of the State Plan to Better Connect Farms and Schools Applications for Reimbursement for the 2021-2022 School Year Due August 15 Press\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NYS&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49330,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/12\/29\/nys-gov-hochul-announces-funding-for-safe-and-affordable-homeownership\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":1},"title":"NYS\/GOV. Hochul announces funding for safe and affordable homeownership","author":"aka","date":"December 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"$46 Million in Grant Awards Will Help Low- and Moderate-Income Homeowners Make Repairs and Safety Modifications, Provide\u00a0Downpayment\u00a0Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers Complete List of Statewide Awards Available\u00a0Here Governor Kathy\u00a0Hochul\u00a0today announced that 1,400 households will benefit from more than $46 million in grant awards to support affordable homeownership. The grants will help\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NY","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/ny\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":39001,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2023\/01\/13\/nys-commissioner-ball-delivers-state-of-agriculture-address-at-191st-annual-nys-agricultural-society-forum\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":2},"title":"NYS\/Commissioner Ball delivers State of Agriculture Address at 191st\u00a0Annual NYS Agricultural Society Forum","author":"aka","date":"January 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Provided photo Press Release New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on January 12 delivered the State of Agriculture Address at the 191st\u00a0New York State Agricultural Society Annual Forum. The Forum, which is traditionally the oldest and largest meeting of its kind in the State, took place at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NYS&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/thumbnail_image003.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/thumbnail_image003.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/thumbnail_image003.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/thumbnail_image003.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/thumbnail_image003.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14119,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2020\/02\/19\/nys-assemblyman-ashby-and-hawley-call-for-restoration-of-critical-veterans-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":3},"title":"NYS\/Assemblyman Ashby and Hawley call for restoration of critical veterans&#8217; services","author":"aka","date":"February 19, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Assemblymen Jake Ashby (R,C,I,Ref-Castleton) and Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), both veterans themselves, alongside their colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference, today co-hosted a \u201cVoices for Veterans\u201d event at the American Legion Cottreall-Warner Post 942 in Webster, NY, where\u00a0they called for the immediate restoration of Gov. Cuomo\u2019s planned $5.68 million\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NYS&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":52067,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/04\/04\/nys-state-agriculture-dept-announces-almost-400000-awarded-through-land-trusts-grants-program\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":4},"title":"NYS\/State Agriculture Dept. announces almost $400,000 awarded through Land Trusts Grants Program \u00a0","author":"aka","date":"April 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Eight Projects Across the State Will Receive Funding to Assist Counties and Municipalities with Farmland Protection Efforts\u00a0 Builds on State\u2019s Farmland Protection Efforts, Including 100,000-Acre Milestone Announced Last Year Press release New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced that nearly $400,000 is being\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;NYS&quot;","block_context":{"text":"NYS","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/nys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":77765,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/28\/wny-hawley-calls-for-improvements-to-veterans-housing-program-following-state-audit\/","url_meta":{"origin":26605,"position":5},"title":"WNY\/Hawley calls for improvements to Veterans Housing Program following state audit","author":"aka","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Longtime Veterans' Affairs Committee member says New York must do better for disabled veterans Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia), a veteran and one of the longest-serving members of the Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee, is calling for improvements to New York's access to Home for Heroes and other veterans programs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;WNY&quot;","block_context":{"text":"WNY","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/wny\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/VNS.jpg?fit=200%2C200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26605"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26607,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26605\/revisions\/26607"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}