Louisiana Expands Produce Bonus Program to Walmart Stores in Baton Rouge and New Orleans

SNAP recipients can now earn up to $25 per month in bonus benefits for buying fresh fruits and vegetables at participating Walmart locations.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The Louisiana Department of Health has expanded its Louisiana Carrot Initiative to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes, giving SNAP recipients a 30-cent bonus for every dollar they spend on fresh produce, up to $25 per month. The bonus money is automatically added to the shopper's EBT card and can be used to buy SNAP-approved groceries at any store that accepts SNAP.

Why it matters

This expansion of the produce bonus program aims to encourage healthier eating habits among Louisiana's SNAP recipients, which can lead to improved childhood nutrition and reduced risk of chronic disease in adults. The program makes it easier for low-income families to access and afford fresh fruits and vegetables.

The details

The Louisiana Carrot Initiative, formerly called the produce bonus project or eHIP, provides SNAP recipients with a 30-cent bonus for every dollar they spend on fresh produce at participating stores. Shoppers can earn up to $25 in bonus benefits each month, which is automatically added to their EBT card. The program has been expanded to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes, reaching an additional 135,000 Louisianans. Since the program launched in April 2025, Louisiana SNAP shoppers have received nearly $884,000 in bonus benefits.

  • The Louisiana Carrot Initiative launched in April 2025.
  • The expansion to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes began on February 4, 2026.

The players

Louisiana Department of Health

The state agency that oversees the Louisiana Carrot Initiative and is expanding the produce bonus program to more stores and parishes throughout Louisiana.

Bruce D. Greenstein

The Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, who stated that the expansion of the program will encourage SNAP recipients to eat healthier, leading to improved nutrition and reduced chronic disease risk.

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What they’re saying

“Expanding the Louisiana Carrot Initiative into East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes means roughly 135,000 Louisianans will have access to this innovative program. 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.”

— Bruce D. Greenstein, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health (wgno.com)

What’s next

The Louisiana Department of Health plans to expand the Louisiana Carrot Initiative to more stores and parishes throughout the state.

The takeaway

This expansion of the produce bonus program in Louisiana makes it easier for low-income families to access and afford fresh fruits and vegetables, encouraging healthier eating habits and potentially leading to improved health outcomes for the state's SNAP recipients.