JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 TO BE USED FOR INCENTIVES FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD AT PARTICIPATING BONUS BUCKS OUTLETS IN RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

The bill provides a $200,000 appropriation to Farm Fresh RI to administer Bonus Bucks, doubling SNAP benefits for eligible fresh produce purchases for low-income Rhode Islanders.

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of Bill HR 7258 (2026) – Rhode Island Joint Resolution

Purpose

Appropriates $200,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to administer incentives for the Farm Fresh Rhode Island (Farm Fresh RI) Bonus Bucks Program.

The program incentivizes purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables by doubling SNAP benefits spent on qualifying produce at participating Bonus Bucks outlets.

Key Provisions and Changes

Direct appropriation: Transfers $200,000 from the state treasury (money not otherwise appropriated) to Farm Fresh RI to administer Bonus Bucks incentives.

Administration and payments: The State Controller is authorized to issue payments to Farm Fresh RI from the general treasury upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

Scope of use: Funds are to be used specifically for the Bonus Bucks program, which matches SNAP benefits dollar-for-dollar for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown by small-scale agricultural producers.

Restrictions and purpose of Bonus Bucks: Bonus Bucks funds are restricted to purchases of eligible produce at participating outlets and are intended to benefit low-income Rhode Islanders by improving access to healthy foods and supporting local agricultural producers.

Who/What Would Be Affected

Beneficiaries: Low-income Rhode Islanders who participate in SNAP and shop at participating outlets, receiving doubled value for fresh produce purchases.

Local producers: Small-scale agricultural producers in Rhode Island benefit from increased demand at Bonus Bucks outlets.

Farm Fresh RI: The nonprofit organization would administer and manage the Bonus Bucks Program with the new appropriation.

State fiscal administration: The Rhode Island State Controller would manage disbursement of funds via vouchers.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and referral: Bill introduced January 21, 2026, referred to House Finance.

Scheduled consideration: Hearing/consideration scheduled for May 14, 2026.

Governing authority: The appropriation is part of a Joint Resolution, not a standalone appropriation bill, and is intended to authorize spending for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Funding source and controls: Funds drawn from the treasury with standard voucher authentication; compliance and accountability aligned with existing state financial procedures.

Contextual Notes

The program has operated since 2009, with Bonus Bucks doubling SNAP benefits used for fresh produce, benefiting numerous local farms and food producers and supporting broader regional health and economic goals.

The measure reinforces Rhode Island’s commitment to nutrition incentives, local agriculture, and helping low-income residents access healthy foods.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page quick-read version or a comparison to previous Bonus Bucks funding levels.