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Hitchcock’s Markets offers SNAP customers Fresh Access Bucks

Florida grocer is first independent chain to adopt nutrition incentive program

Russell Redman

January 7, 2021

2 Min Read
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Under the program, Hitchcock’s shoppers who spend more than $10 in SNAP food purchases get coupons for up to $10 toward fresh fruit and vegetables.Hitchcock's Markets

Florida grocer Hitchcock’s Markets is serving up savings to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers via a partnership with the USDA-funded Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) nutrition incentive program and the Feeding Florida food bank network.

Under the program, SNAP recipients get coupons for up to $10 toward fresh fruit and vegetables. Hitchcock’s shoppers who spend more than $10 in SNAP food purchases receive a $10 credit for fruit and vegetables, while for transactions of less than $10 they get a direct match in Fresh Access Bucks. The retailer is fully reimbursed by FAB for all incentives redeemed by SNAP shoppers.

Hitchcock’s represents FAB’s first partnership with an independent grocery chain. The family-owned retailer, based in Alachua, Fla., is currently offering the FAB program in 11 of its 12 supermarkets, which are located primarily in northern Florida.

“Helping out our community is the biggest thing. We are very connected to our community. We know our customers,” Giselle Alvarez, vice president of operations at Hitchcock’s Markets, said in a statement.

The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) Technical Assistance Center helped bring Hitchcock’s together with FAB and work through technical requirements at the point of sale, according to the NGA Foundation. Over the past year, FAB has focused on extending its reach to brick-and-mortar stores. It current partners with three other grocers in Florida: Sunflower Discount Market in Fort Myers, Wright's Natural Market in New Port Richey and LeGrand Caribbean Market in Immokalee.

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“The connection blossomed under leadership of NGAF,” commented Katie Delaney, co-manager of the FAB program, adding that the NGAF TA Center team offered technology options to handle the incentive transactions. “FAB has three other retailers, but this is the first time we have been able to take a POS system and use it as an umbrella [for multiple stores].”

FAB has focused on “rural communities and places where folks have difficulty getting fresh fruits and vegetables,” according to Delaney. “Hitchcock’s meets all of our requirements,” she said. “Working with Hitchcock’s has been a dream, as they really care about their community.”

The fact that the FAB coupons are earmarked for healthy food purchases can help change customer behavior, Alvarez pointed out. “With everything going on in the world, it’s good to know you are giving customers the possibility to change their eating habits after the pandemic is over,” she added.

Related:SpartanNash doubles down on Double Up Food Bucks

Meghan Fiveash, FAB’s communications coordinator, noted that the Hitchcock’s launch of the program is timely, given the new number of SNAP recipients and need in Florida. “The need is greater right now,” she stated, “and it’s very relevant to bring this across the state at this moment.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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