City Green receives $500,000 Budget Appropriation from the State of New Jersey for the Good Food Bucks Program

Collingswood Farmers Market Photo Credit: Chase Barnes

City Green is excited to announce that our Good Food Bucks SNAP Nutrition Incentive Program has been awarded a $500,000 budget appropriation from the State of New Jersey. The budget resolution appropriating funds to Good Food Bucks was sponsored by State Senator McKeon and Assemblywoman Bagolie, both representatives of Clifton where City Green is headquartered. The resolution, passed as part of New Jersey's 2026 State Budget, was additionally co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Collazos-Gill, Haider, Morales, Schaer, and Spearman. City Green will utilize the recent investment from New Jersey to sustain the work already being done by Good Food Bucks; making local, Jersey-fresh produce more affordable for families who rely on SNAP while opening markets and increasing sales for farmers in the Garden State. 

State Senator McKeon and State Assemblywoman Bagolie visit City Green. Picture here (left to right) Jasmine Moreano, Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy, Jennifer Papa, Executive Director at City Green, Assemblywoman Bagolie, State Senator McKeon, Lisa Martin, Director of Food Access and Robbie Economou, Good Food Bucks Manager

“We are so grateful to the State of New Jersey for supporting the Good Food Bucks Program, and all of the families and farmers that it benefits. It’s partnerships like this that help give New Jersey families choice and dignity in how they feed their families. With Good Food Bucks, every time someone shops with SNAP, their grocery budget stretches further and fresh, nutritious food becomes the easy choice” said Jennifer Papa, City Green’s Executive Director. “Support from the State of New Jersey sends a powerful message that nutrition security is a priority here in our state. New Jersey continues to be a national leader in addressing the complex issue of food security.” 

"Increasing access to fresh, local produce is essential to fighting nutrition insecurity,” said resolution sponsor Assemblywoman Bagolie. “This funding directly supports families in need and strengthens our local food economy” 

The Good Food Bucks program provides customers who use SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) with Good Food Bucks coupons or discounts that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and fresh produce grocers. Good Food Bucks are earned when customers use SNAP to purchase fresh produce at any of the 120+ participating NJ farmers market and retail locations in all 21 NJ counties. Customers redeem Good Food Bucks for more fresh produce at the farmers market, farm, or grocery store where they receive them. City Green reimburses the farmer or retailer for Good Food Bucks, adding to the economic impact of the program. 

Based on a national model, Good Food Bucks and other SNAP Nutrition Incentive Programs like it are proven to provide health and economic benefits to both customers and communities. Including: 

• Increased fruit and vegetable purchases and consumption

• Improved nutrition security

• Expanded economic benefits for participants, farmers, and food retailers

City Green is thankful to Senator McKeon for his leadership and to Assemblywoman Bagolie for prioritizing nutrition equity in the new state budget. The funding from the state creates opportunities and access points for customers to earn and spend Good Food Bucks. Data shows that shoppers who use Good Food Bucks for at least six months experience higher rates of food security and are more likely to be able to afford balanced, healthy meals. The state funding for Good Food Bucks also helps City Green to leverage additional public and private funds. 

Currently in its 15th year of operation, Good Food Bucks are offered at over 120 farmers markets and grocery stores in all 21 New Jersey counties. To learn more and to locate a Good Food Bucks site near you, visit our website GoodFoodBucks.com  

Check out these videos from the NJ State Assembly and the States Senate promoting Good Food Bucks and City Green! 

This work is also supported by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, project award no. 2024-70415-43708, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy. Good Food Bucks is also supported by The Tepper Foundation, Albertsons Companies Foundation, and other generous supporters.