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House passes Food Bucks bill to boost SNAP buying power for fruits and vegetables
Summary
House Bill 1096 would establish a Food Bucks incentive program to provide a minimum 40-cent incentive per SNAP dollar for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables in Pennsylvania; the measure passed the House 164-39.
House Bill 1096, which establishes a Pennsylvania Food Bucks program to provide benefit incentives to SNAP recipients and encourage purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables, passed final passage in the Pennsylvania House on June 3, 2025.
Representative Pashinski and Representative Cadden (floor speakers) urged support on the measure, describing it as a way to stretch limited SNAP benefits while supporting Pennsylvania farmers and local retailers. Representative Pashinski said the program would provide a benefit incentive of at least $0.40 for every SNAP dollar invested in eligible local food retailers and described state models in other states including Maryland and Ohio.
Representative Caden (floor remarks recorded as Representative Caden Cade in the transcript) described personal experience with a SNAP challenge and said the program would increase access to nutritious foods and support healthier eating. The clerk recorded final passage at 164 ayes and 39 nays; the bill passed and will be presented to the Senate for concurrence.
The bill text and legislative analysis will specify the program's administrative mechanism, funding source and retailer participation rules. Supporters listed organizations endorsing the concept on the House floor, including Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, Feeding Pennsylvania, The Food Trust and Just Harvest.
