WASHINGTON — The ongoing work of Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) once again will benefit from US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service grant funds, as HSI expands its Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) pilot project, Add Milk!.

Awarded a multi-million dollar grant for the third year in a row, HSI’s latest grant funds are worth $2.79 million, supporting the institute’s continual development and testing methods aimed at increasing the purchase and consumption of healthy fluid milk among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. The program provides a discount on purchases, offering SNAP participants a dollar-for-dollar match when they purchase healthy fluid milk products.

HSI said the new grant will bring its pilot to more states and regions, with the institute planning to partner with two retailers to add 438 participating locations in 18 states.

Per International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the Add Milk! program reaches more than 25,000 SNAP households each month, and that number will grow with more retail locations joining the program. HSI launched Add Milk! in 2022, initially with 116 locations in four states.

IDFA president Michael Dykes congratulated the institute for its work tied to making nutritious dairy products more available.

“Consuming milk’s 13 essential nutrients is linked to healthy immune function, hydration, cognition, mental health, bone health, and lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” Dykes said. “That is why HSI’s work to expand Add Milk! is so important. Their expertise with SNAP nutrition incentives, especially the use of electronic point of sale incentives, has been instrumental in the growth of Add Milk!”

IDFA has asked Congress to expand the HFMI program in the next Farm Bill to include all milk varieties, plus cheese and yogurt.