PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Earlier this year, the Rhode Island Department of Human Services launched a pilot program to incentivize healthier eating in the state.

Six months into the “Eat Well, Be Well” program, 12 News checked in with DHS to see how the program — which was set up to benefit those who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — is working out.

DHS Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito said that Rhode Islanders are taking advantage of the benefit, which rewards purchases of healthy foods from specific stores with an EBT credit of up to $25.

“We are seeing the money used, so folks are purchasing fruit and vegetables,” Merolla-Brito said. “They are earning their incentives and they are using it.”.

So far, Merolla-Brito told 12 News, shoppers have earned “about $1.1 million” by eating healthy foods.

The program also includes edible seeds, fresh herbs, salad kits and garlic.

According to Merolla-Brito, “Eat Well, Be Well” was made possible by a $11.5 million allocation in the governor’s last budget.

“There were some administrative costs that were expended to get the program moving, so we have enough to take us through the first quarter of the next fiscal year,” she said.

DHS will evaluate the program when the money is spent, but Merolla-Brito is hopeful that it will continue.

“We know that nutrition is important,” she said. “We are trying to close that gap in the state.”

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