ORANGE — The last time the Healthy Incentives Program was operating at Quabbin Harvest, more than 100 families benefited from buying nutritious food that was essentially free.

The HIP program offers reimbursements to eligible people who purchase fruits and vegetables at HIP vendors, and, after a period of suspension, is resuming operations on May 25.

Quabbin Harvest at 12 North Main St. in Orange is a HIP vendor, and Board of Directors member Pat Larson said she is eager to see people sign up for the program, which has been succe

The state program incentivizing low-income families to eat healthy foods, known as HIP, is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Department of Agricultural Resources and Department of Public Health, using state funds to reimburse eligible people for their purchases.

Under the HIP guidelines, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — also known as food stamps — households are automatically enrolled, and will receive $1 for each dollar spent on eligible fruits and vegetables, up to a monthly limit. Households with one to two people may reach a $40 monthly limit, three to five people may reach a $60 limit and houses with six or more people may reach an $80 limit.

Vendors include farmers’ markets and farm stands, mobile markets and Community Supported Agriculture programs, like Quabbin Harvest.

“This would help families get fresh produce year round, and help Massachusetts farmers plan crop production for both farmers’ markets and CSAs,” Larson said.

Larson added she encourages people to contact their state legislators and advocate for further HIP funding in the next budget year, which begins July 1.

Further information can be seen below.

– Quabbin Harvest food coop now accepting applications for HIP.

– HIP open to people receiving SNAP.

– Households participating in this program receive fresh, nutritious vegetables and fruits in shares twice a month.

– SNAP recipients who sign up and participate get reimbursed at rates set according to the size of their household and their SNAP benefits.

– People completing an application for CSA shares before May 25, 2019 will receive their CSA Shares starting in June with HIP reimbursements if approved by DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance).

– Quabbin Harvest will continue to take applications CSA Shares during all the summer months.

– In 2018, Quabbin Harvest had over 100 households participating in this program.

– People may fill out a SNAP/CSA membership application at Quabbin Harvest located at 12 North Main St. in Orange. The store is open Monday- Friday from 10-7 and on Saturdays from 9-5.

– The Orange Farmers’ Market on Thursdays also accepts payment with EBT/SNAPcards and has one HIP vendor.

– For the coming fiscal year (FY 2020), regional legislators including Rep. Whipps, Sen. Comerford, Sen. Gobi and others are working to have $8.5 million put in the state budget to fund the Healthy Incentives Program.

“(CSA) programs participating in the Healthy Incentives Program support both consumers and Massachusetts farmers,” said Pat Larson, of the Quabbin Harvest Board of Directors.

For other questions about HIP at Quabbin Harvest, call 978-544-6784.

Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.