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How Retailers Can Help Build a GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program

June 2, 2022

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Jimmy Wright

Project Consultant, Retail and Wholesale- NGAF Technical Assistance Center

GusNIP Overview
NGAF TA Center Overview
Retailer Testimonial, Incentive Transactions and How It Works at Wright’s Market
Produce Prescriptions and the Future!

Alicia Powers and Skylar Biedenharn

Managing Director and Project Coordinator for the Hunger Solutions Institute

HSI Background and Mission
DUFB Alabama Partners
Timeline
How it Works

Presenter Introduction and Topics

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Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)

5 year, $250 million grant program

Nonprofit partner to apply for grant

1:1 Match for Nutrition Incentives

What are Nutrition Incentives and where do they come from?

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Increase the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables among participating households��Reduce individual and household food insecurity��Improve health outcomes of participating households��Decrease associated healthcare use and costs

GusNIP Goals

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About the NGAF TA Center

Description of the NGAF TA Center

Facilitating Grantee, Retailer & Technology Partnerships

Hub Connection

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Nutrition Incentives Testimonial

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Examples of Incentive Transactions

Discounts within transactions
Coupons for future purchase
Loyalty Programs

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Efficient & Accurate Incentive Transactions�

Does not require cashier intervention

Automatically recognizes a SNAP transaction

Automatically determines eligible products

Able to handle “mixed tender” transactions

Provides reporting requirements for grantee/retailer

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Overview of Wright’s Market

History

Current Operations

Double Up Food Bucks
Online SNAP

Programs Offered

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Overview of Nutrition Incentive Program

Program started in 2018 with Fair Food Network

Partnership with Auburn University, began in 2021

Originally had a 50% discount given at the POS, now using a coupon with barcode

Double Up is 10-12% of our total produce sales

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Determining which method of redemption is best for the stores POS system - (discount, loyalty card or coupons)
Train store personnel in handling the transaction and explaining the program to the customer.
Train store personnel in preparing and submitting redemption information requested by the grantee
Conduct community engagement events to promote the program.
Train store personnel in addressing comments / complaints from customers that do not qualify for the program.

Running a Successful Program

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What to Look for in a Grantee�

Has the capacity to administer a program

Align with mission and values of the store operator and community

Can apply for the grant, must be a government or non-profit entity

Has the ability to help market the program

Has the resources to evaluate and successfully work with the POS system you run at the store

Can make reimbursements in a timely manner and are trustworthy with financial data

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Champion teaching, innovative research,

and community and global outreach

to multiply best practices

in promoting food and nutrition security.

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Goal 1: Implement a state-coordinated incentive program

Goal 2: Improve food and nutrition security among SNAP recipients

Goal 3: Bring together the local food system to foster understanding, build capacity, and implement an incentive program

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Statewide Supporters	Match Funders
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Alabama Department of Public Health Alabama SNAP-Ed Alabama Grocers Association Feeding Alabama Alabama Arise	Auburn University College of Human Sciences Auburn University College of Agriculture Alabama Department of Human Resources Fair Food Network Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Jefferson County Department of Health

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November 2020

Leadership need for Alabama efforts communicated to HSI

January 2021

HSI leadership met with current Double Up Food Bucks Alabama retail leaders about goals for future of program

February – April 2021

HSI leadership developed overall concept and important program details in conjunction with current retailers, university leadership, and statewide supporters/partners

April 2021

HSI submitted GusNIP grant application

July 2021

HSI awarded GusNIP grant and begins process of transitioning to new leadership

September 2021

Double Up Food Bucks Alabama officially launched under HSI leadership

Winter 2020: HSI learns that previous leadership of Double Up Food Bucks Alabama will be stepping away.
January 2021: HSI meets with Double Up market managers and grocers to discuss applying for a GusNIP grant to lead Double Up Alabama.
February - April 2021: HSI meets with previous Double Up leaders, university leadership and state-wide partners, potential funders, grantees from other states, and market managers/grocers to create an application and formulate the following goals:

To develop and implement a state-coordinated, statewide nutrition incentive program to increase the purchase of fresh produce by SNAP recipients;
To improve nutrition and nutrition security among SNAP recipients; and
To bring together distinct parts of the local food system, independent grocers, farmers markets, and small to mid-size fruit and vegetable producers.

April 2021: HSI submits the GusNIP grant application.
July 2021: HSI is awarded the GusNIP grant and begins transitioning all participating markets and grocers.
September 2021: HSI’s grant period begins.

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Double Up Food Bucks Alabama retailer registers as vendor and receives annual budget.

Customer uses SNAP/EBT to purchase locally grown or regionally produced fresh fruits and vegetables at DUFB AL retailer.

POS generates and prints coupon matching customer purchase of eligible produce for up to $20 per visit.

Customer returns to the DUFB AL retailer, selects locally grown or regionally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, and redeems coupon to purchase eligible produce.

At the end of each month, the DUFB AL retailer submits report of appropriate month’s SNAP/EBT and DUFB AL transactions along with invoice for dollar amount of DUFB AL coupons redeemed.

HSI submits documentation in AU vendor system and DUFB AL retailer receives ACH deposit for monthly redemption amount.

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How it works:

Each Double Up Food Bucks Alabama site registers as a vendor with Auburn University and is provided an annual Double Up budget by HSI.
A customer uses their SNAP-EBT card to purchase locally grown/regionally produced fresh fruits or vegetables at the store.
The POS system generates and prints a coupon that matches the customers purchase on produce up to $20/day.
The customer returns to the store, selects locally grown/regionally produced fresh fruits or vegetables, and redeems their coupon.
At the end of the month, the grocer submits a report of SNAP and Double Up purchases along with an invoice for Double Up coupons redeemed to HSI.
HSI submits the reimbursement through Auburn University’s vendor system and the grocer receives an ACH deposit for Double Up coupons redeemed that month

Things retailers should consider – interest in engaging with community
High SNAP clientele
Good produce section with connectivity for locally grown products
POS capacity

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Characteristics grantees look for in retailers:

Involved in the community
Excited about nutrition incentives
An established SNAP customer base/SNAP approval
A high-quality produce section
Locally sourced produce
Deals and specials SNAP customers can take advantage of
Sophisticated POS system to run incentive transactions

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Produce Prescriptions

Newer program that is quickly gaining momentum. No match required.

Focuses on low-income patients whose health conditions could be improved by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables

How it works at stores

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Opportunities Available in Nutrition

“The Department of Agriculture has a responsibility not only to improve nutrition but to do what we can to encourage the food and agriculture industry to increase access to healthier, more nutritious food,”

-Secretary Vilsack

These are two of many programs like this being implemented/explored

Dairy Incentives
Meat Incentives

Agriculture Secretary

Tom Vilsack

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2022 Request for Applications Released!

Applications are due June 30, 2022

Nutrition Incentive RFA

Produce Prescription RFA

Funding and implementation will begin Fall of 2022

We’re here to help!

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Questions?

Personal email: jwright@nationalgrocers.org

NGAF TA Team email:

incentives@nationalgrocers.org

Auburn email:

hsi@auburn.edu

Website:

Ngaftacenter.org

NationalGrocers.org