Granite State Market Match is a program lead by the New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network, a network comprised of six regional non-profits and farmers market organizations that have united to make healthy food accessible to SNAP customers throughout the state. Led by the New Hampshire Food Bank, the NH Nutrition Incentive Network now offers SNAP/EBT and Market Match (also referred to as “Double Up Food Bucks”) at over 80 locations in New Hampshire, including the Littleton Food Co-op. For more information about Market Match and to find other locations it is accepted, visit the GSMM website.
So, how can I use Market Match? The following items are eligible for Market Match: fresh, canned dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, or salt (i.e., sodium) meet the eligibility criteria; seeds and seedlings to grow fruits and vegetables for home consumption; dried fruits without added sugars, fats or oils, and salt; and dry beans and dried corn with no added sugars, fats or oils, and salt. Ineligible are ornamental flowers, beverages, fermented foods, honey, maple products, prepared foods, grains, meat, and dairy items. For your convenience, we’ve labeled all items in store (aside from the fresh fruits and veggies in the Produce Dept.) with red “Market Match” labels. All eligible products are tagged in our system to have the appropriate discount taken off automatically when you let your cashier know you’re using Market Match.
On February 12, 2025, LFC General Manager released this statement regarding statewide changes to Market Match:
Dear Co-op Members,
The Littleton Food Co-op has been a proud participant in the New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network’s Market Match program for more than seven years. Market Match has allowed SNAP/EBT recipients to purchase fresh produce and certain other unprocessed foods at a reduced price. Unfortunately, the federal funding supporting this program has been interrupted, and we have been informed that we must cap Market Match benefits at $5 per transaction. The cap will go into effect Sunday, February 16th, 2025.
We recognize the significant impact this will have on shoppers who have relied on Market Match to increase their food access, but we understand the decision of the NHNIN to protect the longevity of the program. Our hope is that funding will be restored shortly, but there is currently no time table for that to happen. Rest assured, the Co-op’s own Healthy Food Access program remains in effect and will not be impacted. All of us at the Co-op are navigating this change with you together, and we will do our best to keep you updated if there are any changes. Thank you for your patience and your cooperation in this matter.
Cooperatively,
Ed King, General Manager
LFC General Manager Ed King has been working with the New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network and NH farmers to bring attention to the damage that will be caused by Market Match funding cuts:
New cap limits popular N.H. food assistance program amid federal funding uncertainty (Boston Globe)
New Hampshire Food Bank Limits Market Match Assistance Without Warning (Caledonian Record)
In the wake of this unexpected update, we understand Co-op customers may be left with questions. Everyone at the Co-op is currently gathering as much information as possible about this change to pass on to you. We’ve answered as much as we can down below, and will continue to post information as it is provided to us.
Why are there now limits on my Market Match usage at the Co-op?
Market Match is a program of the New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network, who relies heavily on federal grants for all of their programs — including Market Match. Their grant payments have been delayed and there is no set date when they will return. This future was not anticipated when Market Match was created almost ten years ago. NH Nutrition Incentive Network is protecting the longevity of Market Match by putting limits in place to equally distribute remaining funds to SNAP/EBT users in the Granite State.
Does this mean I can only spend $5 with my SNAP/EBT card?
No! Customers are still welcome to use as much of their SNAP/EBT funds as they choose at the Co-op, but the maximum Granite State Market Match will cover is a $10 purchase ($5 reimbursement, $5 payment by customer).
How does the $5 limit work?
SNAP/EBT customers are still welcome to purchase as much as they like, but we can only provide a maximum $5 fruit and vegetable Market Match discount.
So if you purchase $10 worth of eligible items, $5 of the eligible purchases will be covered by Market Match, and $5 will be covered by the customer (at least a portion of that needs to be paid for with SNAP/EBT for discount eligibility)
If you purchase $15 worth of eligible items, $5 of the eligible purchases will be covered by Market Match, and $10 will need to be covered by the customer (at least a portion of that needs to be paid for with SNAP/EBT for discount eligibility)
Has the list of eligible items changed?
No, nothing has been added or removed from the list of eligible items at the Co-op.
Can the Co-op subsidize the program?
The Co-op Operations Team has determined that covering the entire cost of this $60K – $70K a year program is not feasible for the Co-op at this time. We are actively working with our Board of Directors and local cooperative networks to explore alternative solutions, but do not have any information to present at this time.
Is the Healthy Food Access (HFA) program going away?
No. Healthy Food Access (HFA) is a program created and managed directly by the Littleton Co-op, and we have no plans to change it. More information about HFA can be found here.
I need assistance accessing food in the North Country…
There are many great organizations in the North Country focused on eliminating food insecurity. Here is a short list of those organizations.
I have another question
Please reach out to info@littletoncoop.org and we will do our best to answer your question.
