A federal funding cut has ended the Produce Perks benefit at Dave’s Markets in Cuyahoga County, removing an extra produce incentive that had been available to SNAP customers for years.
Produce Perks gave eligible shoppers a dollar-for-dollar match when they used SNAP benefits to buy qualifying fruits and vegetables. At Dave’s Markets, customers could earn up to $10 toward a future produce purchase.
The retail program was paused near the end of 2025 after federal funding was canceled. Produce Perks Midwest had received a three-year, $2.8 million federal grant in 2024 to support the program across Ohio.
The organization sought private and foundation funding after the federal grant ended. Local support was enough to preserve Produce Perks at farmers markets in Cuyahoga County, but not enough to continue the higher-volume program at Dave’s.
Dave’s had participated in Produce Perks since 2018 and was the only grocery chain in Cuyahoga County offering the benefit. An earlier pilot began at Dave’s Mercado on Cleveland’s near West Side.
Produce Perks Midwest Executive Director Tevis Foreman told Signal Cleveland that grocery stores distribute far more matching dollars than farmers markets because they serve more SNAP customers and operate more hours.
The program remains available at participating farmers markets, where SNAP shoppers can receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $25 for fresh produce.
Produce Perks Midwest has applied for another federal grant and expects to learn whether it will receive funding this fall.
The change comes as Cleveland-area grocers are also reporting pressure from broader SNAP eligibility and work-requirement changes. Dave’s previously reported that revenue connected to SNAP purchases had declined by approximately 10% over the prior year.
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