Dave King: More funding needed for the Healthy Incentive Program

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A flyer for the state’s Healthy Incentive Program, called HIP, at a Valley farmers market.

A flyer for the state’s Healthy Incentive Program, called HIP, at a Valley farmers market.

Published: 01-20-2025 10:09 AM

I was disturbed by a recent article in the Gazette about the shortfall in funding for the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP) [“HIP cuts hit home,” Jan. 13]. This program incentives the purchase of locally grown produce by low-income families in the commonwealth. This obviously benefits their health, but as I understand from the article, the increased sales are also an important supplement to local farmers, who are the backbone of our economy.

Apparently the Healey/Driscoll administration could fully fund this program with $10 million in a supplemental budget. If you are concerned about our neighbors having healthy food and our local farmers staying in business, ask the governor to support $10 million for the HIP program in a future supplemental budget.

Dave King

Amherst

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