The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute (HSI) a $2.99 million grant, using FY2025 funding appropriated by Congress, to expand SNAP Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) projects across 169 SNAP-authorized retail stores in nine states.

The award includes 75 new HFMI locations in Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, along with the renewal of 94 existing sites in Alabama, California, and South Dakota. By scaling this targeted SNAP incentive, USDA is equipping more retailers to help SNAP households purchase fluid milk—one of the most under-consumed, nutrient-dense foods identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans—while reinforcing the critical role dairy plays in improving diet quality and advancing public health. Since 2020, HFMI has expanded to more than 1,270 retail stores in 33 states.

"SNAP dairy incentives are one important way we can help to make America healthy again,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA. “We appreciate Congress’s investment in HFMI and USDA’s strong implementation of the program to help families choose more nutrient-dense dairy foods, support healthier diets, and deliver real value for taxpayers—all while supporting America’s dairy farmers and processors.”

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is pleased to partner with Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences to improve consumption of fluid milk,” said Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services at USDA. “Milk, especially whole milk, is paramount to the recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. The Department looks forward to the Hunger Solutions Institute encouraging not only more milk consumption, but how to better use the incentive to purchase other healthful, less processed SNAP-eligible items.” 

HFMI—also known as “Add Milk”—provides SNAP participants with incentives to purchase fat-free and low-fat milk, helping families access essential nutrients while making the most of their food budgets. The program operates through both coupon and automatic discount models, reducing cost barriers at the point of purchase and encouraging repeat purchases of healthier options.

 "The continuation and expansion of HFMI represents an important step forward,” said Alicia Powers, managing director, Hunger Solutions Institute and Principal Investigator of HFMI. “The most recent cooperative agreement is the first to demonstrate sustainability of participating retailers across multiple funding cycles, indicating proven successes at the program, retailer, and household levels. The recent award also continues expanding HFMI to additional retailers, communities, and households ensuring this work makes a lasting difference nationwide.”

In 2025, the Make America Healthy Again Commission highlighted how increasing dairy consumption through SNAP healthy eating incentives can improve health. Milk, cheese, yogurt and other cultured dairy products provide essential nutrients including high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, that support improved health outcomes for Americans.