KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana Carrot Initiative now available in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes SNAP recipients earn 30-cent bonus per dollar spent on fresh produce Nearly $884,000 in bonus benefits delivered since April 2025 launch Program aims to improve nutrition and long-term health outc omes for 135,000 residents   The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has expanded its Louisiana Carrot Initiative to Walmart stores in Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parishes, aiming to encourage healthier eating habits among residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The initiative, formerly known as the produce bonus project or eHIP, provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh produce at participating retailers. Participants can earn up to $25 in bonus benefits per month, which are automatically credited to their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and can be used for any SNAP-eligible grocery purchase. “Expanding the Louisiana Carrot Initiative into East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes means roughly 135,000 Louisianans will have access to this innovative program,” LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein said. “By incenting purchases of fresh produce, we are encouraging SNAP recipients to eat healthier, which leads to long-term health outcomes for Louisiana’s most vulnerable populations. From improved childhood nutrition to reduced risk of chronic disease in adults, this incentive makes the healthy choice the easy choice.” Since its launch in April 2025, the program has delivered nearly $884,000 in bonus benefits to Louisiana SNAP shoppers. Research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service indicates that participants in Healthy Incentive Projects consume about 26% more fruits and vegetables than non-participants. East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes join 11 other parishes currently participating in the program, including Ascension, Calcasieu, Jackson, Lafayette, LaSalle, Rapides, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Webster, and West Carroll. LDH officials said they are working with additional retailers to eventually make the Louisiana Carrot Initiative available in all 64 parishes. For more information and a full list of participating retailers, visit ldh.la.gov/page/ehip. ...read more read less