February 04, 2026 LDH expands the Louisiana Carrot Initiative to East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishesProject encourages more fresh fruit and vegetable purchases among SNAP recipients

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Feb 04, 2026 - The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) expanded the Louisiana Carrot Initiative to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes on February 4.

The initiative, formerly known as the produce bonus project or eHIP, provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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 each month, which are automatically credited to their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to purchase SNAP-eligible groceries at any retailer accepting SNAP benefits.

“Expanding the Louisiana Carrot Initiative into East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes means roughly 135,000 Louisianans will have access to this innovative project. 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,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein.

Since the initiative's launch in April 2025, Louisiana SNAP shoppers have received nearly $884,000 in bonus benefits through the Louisiana Carrot Initiative. Research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service shows that participants in Healthy Incentive Projects consume 26% more fruits and vegetables than non-participants.

East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes join Ascension, Calcasieu, Jackson, Lafayette, LaSalle, Rapides, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Webster, and West Carroll parishes already taking part in the project.

LDH is actively engaging additional retailers throughout the state to expand the Louisiana Carrot Initiative to all 64 parishes.

For more information and a complete list of participating retailers, visit ldh.la.gov/page/ehip.

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