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BREADA Red Stick Rewards Program Increased Due To COVID-19

Date: 07/14/20

Program offers dollar-for-dollar match of up to $15 in purchases made with SNAP card

Baton Rouge, La. – As part of an ongoing commitment to addressing increased need among families affected by COVID-19, Louisiana Healthcare Connections has announced an increase in its sponsorship of the Big River Economic and Agricultural Alliance (BREADA) Red Stick Rewards program. The program offers a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $15 in purchases made with a Louisiana Purchase Automated Benefit (SNAP) card at any Baton Rouge-area Red Stick Farmers Market.

SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families. SNAP participants receive benefits on an EBT card, formerly known as a food stamp card, which is then used to purchase eligible food items at SNAP-participating retailers.

BREADA’s markets have been accepting SNAP cards since launching an EBT program in 2013. In 2015, they added a dollar-for-dollar match component to extend the buying power of customers who rely on SNAP benefits. Since then, BREADA has increased access to fresh, locally-grown and sourced food to thousands of area families in low-access communities. In 2017 alone, more than 1,000 families doubled their buying power for fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections, a Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan, began sponsoring the program in 2018. Due to an increased demand for food assistance among families affected by COVID-19 in the Greater Baton Rouge area, the Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan has increased its sponsorship to enable SNAP recipients to receive $15 in free food purchases for every $15 spent at the Red Stick Farmers Markets. To receive the matching benefit, SNAP recipients may present their SNAP card at the BREADA tent at the market.

“We are committed to increasing access to local foods for everyone, regardless of income level, and right now, with so many families across our community struggling because of COVID-19, providing this increased access is critical,” says BREADA Executive Director Copper Alvarez. “BREADA is fortunate to have a partner like Louisiana Healthcare Connections that shares our dedication to providing families with access to healthy, fresh, locally grown foods.”

“COVID-19 has brought many unprecedented challenges to communities across our state, and hunger and food insecurity are among the most pressing of these challenges,” says John Kight, DNP, RN, FNPC, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Senior Vice President of Population Health. “We are pleased to expand our investment in BREADA’s Red Stick Rewards Program to help local families address their needs for fresh, nutritious foods during these trying times.”

To ensure the safety of patrons at the Red Stick Farmers Market, the market is currently operating as open-air, walk-up farmers market with additional safety precautions. Patrons should observe all social distancing guidelines; wear a face covering; and refrain from touching any items displayed for sale. Vendors will serve guests one at a time and bag the selected items. The market also requests that guests follow a “shop and go” model to limit crowd size.

To learn more about the Red Stick Farmers Markets, please visit www.breada.org.