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Louisiana Healthcare Connections Sponsors SNAP Matching Program at Sankofa Fresh Stop Markets in New Orleans

Date: 01/02/19

PROGRAM WILL EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS IN LOWER NINTH WARD

Baton Rouge, La. – As part of an ongoing commitment to community health, welfare and diversity, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the SNAP/EBT matching program at Sankofa’s Fresh Stop Markets in New Orleans.

The program offers a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 in purchases made with a SNAP/EBT card at any of Sankofa’s Fresh Stop Markets, including its mobile market in the Lower Ninth Ward. SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families. SNAP participants receive benefits on an EBT card, formerly known as a food stamp card, which is then used to purchase eligible food items at SNAP-participating retailers.

Sankofa, a non-profit organization founded in 2008, operates fresh produce markets three days per week - including the mobile market in the Lower Ninth Ward - where SNAP benefits are accepted. In addition to operating these fresh produce markets and a 24,000 sq. ft. urban farm, Sankofa offers healthy cooking and gardening classes, a fresh food pantry, SNAP enrollment support, and community program planning sessions. As part of the sponsorship, Louisiana Healthcare Connections will underwrite Sankofa’s 2019 Healthy Heartbeats classes, which provides healthy eating and nutrition education through collaborative, communal food preparation workshops.

“We share Louisiana Healthcare Connections’ commitment to ensuring access to fresh food and nutritional education to help families become healthier,” says Rashida Ferdinand, Founder and Executive Director of Sankofa. “In the Lower Ninth Ward, access to healthy, affordable food is very limited. Our partnership with Louisiana Healthcare Connections will help to strengthen our community-based food system by linking local families with fresh food grown by local farmers, and to the education and resources they need to improve their nutritional habits.”

“Access to healthy, fresh foods is one of the most important social determinants of health,” says Louisiana Healthcare Connections Chief Operating Officer Kendra Case. “We are proud to partner with strong organizations like Sankofa who share our commitment to helping Louisiana families overcome barriers that reduce their access to nutritious food.”