Produce Perks Midwest

What Produce Perks Midwest does

Produce Perks Midwest is a Cincinnati-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (founded 2016–2017, 9 employees) that operates Ohio's statewide nutrition incentive platform under the Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN) coalition. Its core offering is a SNAP/EBT processing and token-tracking system integrated with point-of-sale at partner retailers, enabling a dollar-for-dollar produce match (up to $25/day at farmers' markets, $15/day at grocery stores) across 130+ participating locations. The portfolio comprises three integrated programs: (1) the flagship Produce Perks SNAP Matching program, (2) a Family Fruit & Vegetable Coupon Program that distributes $140 coupon booklets to eligible low-income families, and (3) a healthcare-integrated Produce Prescription (PRx) program where providers write monthly produce prescriptions for food-insecure patients with diet-related conditions.

The organization does not generate revenue from program participants — services are free to SNAP/EBT recipients — and is funded through federal grants (USDA), state and regional foundations, United Way affiliates, healthcare partners, and individual donations. GTM is community-led and event-driven: enrollment occurs in person at 130+ farmers' markets, 20+ grocery stores, mobile markets, and through healthcare referral networks spanning Bon Secours Mercy Health, Cleveland Clinic, Five Rivers Health Centers, Dayton Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Mercy Health. The platform has facilitated $18M in cumulative healthy food sales since 2017, served 25,000+ families, delivered 2.4M servings of produce in 2024, and supports 1,400+ Ohio farmers and food businesses.

The organization's principal existential risk materialized in April 2025 when USDA unexpectedly terminated its major federal grant award, forcing a partial program pause in some Ohio regions beginning April 1, 2026. Hamilton and Clermont counties have been sustained through a coalition of local funders (United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, HealthPath Foundation of Ohio). Supporting resources include seasonal produce guides, cooking videos, and nutrition education delivered through website, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels.

Name

Produce Perks Midwest

Legal name

Produce Perks Midwest

Website

https://produceperks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ohio-based nonprofit operating nutrition incentive programs that match SNAP/EBT purchases dollar-for-dollar for fruits and vegetables, serving 25,000+ low-income families across 130+ farmers' markets, grocery stores, and healthcare partners throughout the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nutrition Incentive Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fresh Food Subscription/CSA & Produce Box Retail (CRAHAHAG)

Keywords

• Nutrition incentive programs
• SNAP benefits matching
• Produce access
• Food insecurity programs
• Produce prescription

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary funding from federal grants (USDA), state grants, and foundation funding. In 2025, USDA terminated major federal grant causing program pause in some regions.
2. Donations: Individual and corporate donations supporting program operations. Donate page available on website.
3. Local Funder Support: Regional funding from United Way of Greater Cincinnati and community foundations sustaining programs in Hamilton and Clermont counties after federal grant termination.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Produce Perks Midwest operates Ohio's statewide nutrition incentive program, providing dollar-for-dollar matching of SNAP/EBT purchases (up to $25/day at farmers' markets and $15/day at grocery stores) redeemable only on fresh fruits and vegetables. The organization also delivers a Family Fruit & Vegetable Coupon Program providing $140 coupon booklets to eligible low-income families, and a Produce Prescription (PRx) Program integrating healthcare provider-issued produce prescriptions into clinical care for patients with diet-related health risks.

Product overview

Produce Perks Midwest operates a platform of nutrition incentive programs designed to improve food access across Ohio. The core offerings include: (1) Produce Perks SNAP Matching — the flagship dollar-for-dollar match program for SNAP/EBT purchases at farmers' markets and grocery stores; (2) Family Fruit & Vegetable Coupon Program — providing $140 coupon booklets to eligible families; and (3) Produce Prescription (PRx) Program — integrating produce prescriptions into healthcare settings. Supporting resources include seasonal produce guides and cooking videos. These programs are delivered through a network of 130+ participating farmers' markets and grocery stores across Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Produce Perks SNAP Matching Ohio's Nutrition Incentive program that provides a $1-for-$1 match on SNAP/EBT purchases, up to $25 per day at farmers' markets and $15 per day at grocery stores, with matching dollars spendable only on fruits and vegetables. No sign-up is required for SNAP recipients, providing instant access at 130+ participating locations across Ohio.
• Family Fruit & Vegetable Coupon Program Program providing eligible low-income Ohio families (with minor children or pregnant women) a $140 coupon booklet (28 coupons worth $5 each) redeemable for fresh fruits and vegetables at approved farmers' markets and grocery stores. Enrollment is via scheduled community sign-up events.
• Produce Prescription (PRx) Program Healthcare-integrated program where providers write monthly produce prescriptions for food-insecure patients with diet-related health risks (diabetes, hypertension, pregnancy complications), redeemable at participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, or via home delivery. Delivered in partnership with major Ohio health systems including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Cleveland Clinic, Five Rivers Health Centers, Dayton Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's, Mercy Health, and Health Partners of Western Ohio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130+ participating markets and grocery stores across Ohio
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Dayton Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Partnership to deliver fresh produce boxes to 40 families experiencing food insecurity. Funded through Rite Aid Healthy Futures grant. Families received biweekly $35 produce boxes for six months.
• DoorDashsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Delivery partner for Dayton Children's Hospital produce box program. Delivered fresh produce boxes to families' homes.
• Dot's MarketsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Prepared produce boxes for Dayton Children's Hospital partnership program. Community-owned co-op market in Kettering.
• Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-sector coalition of Ohio healthy food retailers, producers, state agencies, local partners, and national experts working toward affordable access to healthy foods. Oversees delivery of Produce Perks and Produce Prescription programs across Ohio. Established 2016.
• Bon Secours Mercy HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for PRx program in Cincinnati. Engaged 177 Ohio residents through two 6-month program cohorts addressing diabetes and food insecurity.
• Cleveland CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for PRx program in Cleveland. Partners on diabetes management program helping pre-diabetic and diabetic patients improve health with access to produce.
• Five Rivers Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for PRx program in Dayton. Serves pregnant patients and families with up to 70 families receiving fresh produce monthly.
• Nationwide Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth partner for PRx program in Columbus. Nurse Family Partnership in Franklin County focuses on pregnant individuals and families, supporting up to 50 families monthly.
• Mercy HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for diabetes management PRx program spanning Dayton and Cincinnati. Helps pre-diabetic and diabetic patients improve health outcomes.
• Health Partners of Western OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for PRx program in Toledo. Assists 120 families each month with produce prescriptions in Lucas County.
• Local MatterssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation and delivery partner for PRx program in Columbus. Supports patient enrollment and provides nutritional education.
• CityFreshsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for PRx program in Lorain. Provides fresh produce delivery to enrolled families.
• La SoupesupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation partner for PRx program in Dayton. Provides nutrition education and cooking resources for program participants.
• Ohio Department of HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN). Working toward affordable access to healthy foods statewide.
• Ohio Department of AgingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN). Supporting nutrition access for older Ohioans.
• Ohio State University ExtensionsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversity partner in Ohio Nutrition Incentive Network (OHNIN). Provides SNAP-Ed programming and extension services.
• The FARE ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Access Raises Everyone (FARE) Project - partner in PRx program research and implementation.
• Ohio University ExtensionsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcademic partner leading PRx program research and evaluation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• DC Central Kitchen: Community food services nonprofit operating meal programs and food access initiatives. Comparable in mission and nonprofit food services category, though focused more on prepared meals and job training.
• Food Research & Action Center (FRAC): National advocacy and research organization focused on federal nutrition programs including SNAP. Comparable in advocacy footprint and federal funding exposure, though not a direct service provider.
• MAZON: National Jewish nonprofit addressing hunger through grantmaking and advocacy. Comparable in funding/advocacy model for anti-hunger initiatives, but does not operate direct service nutrition incentive programs.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: Largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit operating a national network of 200+ food banks. Comparable as a community food service operator, but operates at far broader scale and with different distribution model.
• Share Our Strength / No Kid Hungry: National anti-hunger nonprofit operating nutrition programs and advocacy. Comparable mission and federal grant exposure, though with much larger advocacy and fundraising footprint.

Direct peers

• The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based nonprofit running farmers' market nutrition incentive programs and food access initiatives. Comparable in operating produce incentive programs and grocery-based healthy food access interventions.
• Fair Food Network: National nonprofit operating Double Up Food Bucks, a SNAP matching program at farmers' markets and grocery stores with nearly identical mechanics to Produce Perks. Most directly comparable peer given shared mission, model, and incentive structure.
• Wholesome Wave: Nonprofit pioneer of nutrition incentive programs that double SNAP benefits for produce purchases. Directly comparable as both run statewide/regional SNAP incentive networks with healthcare partnerships.

Emerging players

• Brighter Bites: Nonprofit that distributes produce directly to families through schools and healthcare partnerships. Overlaps with Produce Perks' PRx and produce-box distribution model, though more school-anchored.

Regional players

• Hunger Network: Cincinnati-area food rescue and food access nonprofit that previously employed a Produce Perks team member. Comparable regional food access mission though different primary mechanism (food rescue).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@produceperks
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProducePerks
• Instagraminstagram.com/produceperks_oh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/produce-perks-midwest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Produce Perks Midwest