U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced $8.4 million in funding for The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island.

The funding will go toward the “DA BUX” program, a partnership with local food retailers to make Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders.

Earlier this year, Senator Hirono secured the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024—also known as the “Farm Bill”—including an increase in the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). GusNIP, which helped make this funding possible, is the primary funding source for Hawaii’s “DA BUX” program, which enables SNAP-EBT cardholders to receive a 50% discount on Hawaii-grown produce at participating grocery stores and food hubs.