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Produce Plus expansion credited with higher redemption but advocates seek more funding to close wait list
Summary
FreshFarm and partner organizations told the committee that increased FY25 funding allowed approval of 11,000 residents and a 37% growth in enrollment, but community speakers said wait lists persist and urged continued local investment and outreach to boost activation and spending rates.
Program managers and market champions described Produce Plus and other food‑access grantees as effective tools to increase fresh produce access in neighborhoods with limited grocery options.
“Because of the increase of funding from the DC Council, we were able to approve 11,000 residents for the program,” Fresh Farm’s Director of Food Access, Nick Stavely, told the committee, reporting a 37% jump in approvals and over $1.2 million in produce spending across markets in 2025. He said 58% of participants spent at least 80% of allotted funds and 38% spent 100% of their funds, but that activation and outreach could raise those rates further.
Community market champions and program participants said demand remains high—panels reported almost 14,000 applications and a wait list of roughly 2,000—and asked the committee to prioritize Produce Plus and related Equitable Food Access investments in the coming budget cycle to eliminate the wait list and expand outreach to seniors and families east of the river.
