Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables (JSY)

The Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables Program (JSY) encourages persons who receive or are eligible to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to eat more fruits and vegetables and become more physically active by offering nutrition workshops, cooking demonstrations and other educational activities at food pantries, shelters, farmers' markets, and other community settings.

As an obesity prevention initiative, JSY provides low income families with practical, cost effective tips for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables among New York State residents is a key strategy for reducing the risk of several chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

There are two JSY initiatives currently working to improve the health and nutritional status of low-income families in NYS. They are:

  1. Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables, is a collaboration between New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) and the Regional Food Banks. A network of JSY food bank nutritionists deliver nutrition education activities across NYS, focusing their efforts in the following environments: food pantries, shelters, community agencies,
  2. The JSY Stellar Farmers' Market Program (JSY SFM) is a collaboration between NYS DOH and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene . It operates at 20 farmers' markets in low-income neighborhoods and their surrounding community to provide free nutrition and cooking workshops to SNAP-eligible New York City adults. JSY SFM aims to improve dietary habits by providing education and resources for planning, purchasing and preparing healthy meals that feature locally grown produce. Although JSY SFM workshops run from July through mid-November, JSY SFM activities are year round and are not limited to workshops at farmers' markets.

These two initiatives reach nearly 40,000 eligible persons and their families annually.

Web Resources

  • Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables (JSY)
  • For more information on finding local produce in New York City, and the Stellar Farmers' Markets Program (including a schedule of workshops) visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Physical Activity and Nutrition website.
  • For more information on using SNAP at farmers' markets, visit Getting Fresh Food is a SNAP at NY Farmers Markets!
  • For information on purchasing more fruits and vegetables when you use SNAP at participating farmers' markets visit:
    • New York Fresh Connect Checks provide an additional $2 for every $5 of SNAP spent at participating farmers' market located throughout NYS.
    • Double Up Food Bucks double your SNAP dollars at Western NY Farmers' Markets and Mobile Markets.
    • New York City Health Bucks provide an additional $2 for every $5 of SNAP spent at participating farmers' market located throughout New York City.
  • Other programs that assist buyers in purchasing fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets:
    • Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants can use their Vegetable and Fruit Checks to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers' markets throughout New York State.
    • Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program receive approximately $20 in checks to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers' markets throughout New York State.
    • Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children participating in the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program receive checks (at least $20 in value) to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers' markets throughout NYS.

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