For the last several years, Produce Perks, Ohio's Nutrition Incentive Program more commonly known as SNAP Double Up, has been offering healthy food options to those with low incomes at more affordable prices.

The program is adopted by participating grocery stores to create food security.

Locally, there's about 10 stores and three farmer's markets involved.

"The future of the program at this point is you're really making sure that, you know, we tell the story about how impactful this program is to our state and federal policy makers," said Sarah Lowry, Director for the Healthy Community Partnership of the Mahoning Valley. "So that they continue to invest in these resources," he said.

The stores are found in the Mahoning and Trumbull Counties where thousands have been able to use the program.

With a new 6.7 million dollar state and federal investment, program expansion is on the agena to cover more ground and feed more families.

You must be apart of the supplemental nutritious assistance program, or SNAP, and use your electronic benefits card to participate.

Participants in the program can buy as many fruits and vegetables as they would like using their EBT cards and they'll receive a voucher for every five dollars that was spent.

In addition to that, Produce Perks will match the total amount of money spent on fruits and vegetables to stretch those dollars and give participants as much spending room as possible with the voucher.

Officials tell 21 News the new funding will allow the program to run through 2024.