Healthy Food Incentive Grant Program

The Healthy Food Incentive Program is an initiative led by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), specifically through its Division of Medicaid Services (DMS). This program was established under the 2023 Wisconsin Act 201, aiming to improve access to nutritious food options for FoodShare members across the state. The funding opportunity is structured as a Request for Applications (RFA) and invites eligible nonprofits to oversee the program’s administration within designated regional areas throughout Wisconsin. The central goal of the program is to provide financial incentives to FoodShare members when they purchase fruits and vegetables at approved retail locations. These incentives are intended to encourage healthier eating habits among participants and support local agricultural systems by promoting the sourcing of produce from Wisconsin growers. The program design includes both direct consumer incentives and administrative support to ensure effective implementation and monitoring. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations designated as 501(c)(3), located in Wisconsin, and capable of operating the program in at least one of the five defined state regions. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate partnerships with retailers that primarily source fruits and vegetables from within Wisconsin. Each selected organization will be responsible for designing the program structure, conducting outreach, managing the administration, and collecting data to measure the program’s impact. The total program funding amounts to $425,000. Of this, up to 25% ($106,250) is allocated for administrative costs, which will be equally divided across the five regions. If an organization is selected to oversee multiple regions, it will receive administrative funding proportional to the number of regions served. The remaining funds are designated for incentive payments to retailers based on FoodShare member purchases. These incentive funds are also distributed evenly across all regions. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST on June 13, 2025. Interested organizations are encouraged to attend an informational webinar hosted by DHS on Wednesday, May 28, at 12:00 p.m. CST. Questions regarding the RFA must be submitted by May 23, 2025, and DHS will publish responses on May 30. Applications should include a completed program application form and a budget template, which must be emailed to DHSDMSPass@dhs.wisconsin.gov. The contact for this funding opportunity is managed through the email provided, with no specific individual named. The program’s solicitation was published on May 13, 2025, and concludes on June 13, 2025. It is a single-cycle funding opportunity and not offered on a rolling or recurring basis.