Every Day Is A Miracle Inc

LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THE BRONX WANT TO FEED THEIR HOUSEHOLDS WELL, BUT TIGHT BUDGETS AND THE HIGH PRICE OF FRESH PRODUCE MAKE THAT DIFFICULT. MANY SHOP AT NEIGHBORHOOD BODEGAS AND SUPERMARKETS WHERE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES CAN BE COSTLY OR LIMITED, AND DIET-RELATED ILLNESSES REMAIN A CONCERN. THIS PROJECT TACKLES THAT EVERYDAY PROBLEM IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS FAMILIES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY. BY LOWERING THE EFFECTIVE MONTHLY PRICE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR SHOPPERS WHO USE THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)--THROUGH CREDITS EARNED AT CHECKOUT AND REDEEMED ON THE NEXT TRIP--THE PROJECT HELPS HOUSEHOLDS STRETCH FOOD DOLLARS, ENCOURAGES HEALTHIER CHOICES, AND SUPPORTS SMALL RETAILERS THAT ANCHOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. MORE PRODUCE PURCHASES CAN RIPPLE THROUGH THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND, OVER TIME, HELP REDUCE HEALTH COSTS AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE.WORKING WITH TWO NEIGHBORHOOD RETAILERS AND EDM PANTRY SITES, THE PROJECT BUILDS SAVINGS RIGHT INTO CHECKOUT USING THE STORES' EXISTING ROYALTY CARD SYSTEMS: FOR EVERY $10 IN SNAP PURCHASES OF ELIGIBLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, SHOPPERS EARN A $2 PRODUCE CREDIT--UP TO $42 PER MONTH--LOADED AT CHECKOUT AND REDEEMED ON FUTURE VISITS. THESE CREDITS MAKE PRODUCE MORE AFFORDABLE ACROSS THE MONTH, AND THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE, PRIVATE, AND PRINTED ON THE RECEIPT. TO MAKE HEALTHY EATING PRACTICAL AT HOME, THE PROJECT PAIRS SAVINGS WITH MONTHLY BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) NUTRITION CLASSES AND COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, PLUS A MOBILE PROGRAM HUB VEHICLE THAT BRINGS SIGN-UPS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND SOCIAL-SERVICE CONNECTIONS TO WHERE PEOPLE SHOP. PROGRESS IS TRACKED WITH RECEIPT DATA AND BRIEF SURVEYS SO WE CAN SEE WHAT CHANGES FOR FAMILIES AND STORES. THE GOAL IS STRAIGHTFORWARD: MAKE IT EASIER AND MORE AFFORDABLE TO BUY AND EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, STRENGTHEN RETAILERS' ABILITY TO STOCK PRODUCE, AND LEAVE THE COMMUNITY HEALTHIER AND MORE RESILIENT. WE AIM TO SUSTAIN THIS MODEL LOCALLY AND MAKE IT EASY TO REPLICATE IN SIMILAR NEIGHBORHOODS.