Houchens Food Group (HFG) has partnered with Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute as part of the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive (HFMI) program.
The initiative enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to receive discounted milk purchases, supporting healthier dietary choices across the communities the company serves. 
Through the new “Add Milk” program, customers using SNAP benefits will receive a 50 percent discount on purchases of skim and 1 percent milk at participating HFG grocery stores.
A 10 percent discount will apply at stores in Missouri. The savings is made possible through a grant awarded to HFG by the Hunger Solutions Institute at Auburn University.
The program stems from the 2018 Farm Bill, which established the HFMI to promote the consumption of nutritious dairy products among SNAP recipients.
The “Add Milk” initiative will roll out across all 295 Houchens-operated grocery stores, including: IGA, Priceless IGA, Save A Lot and its family of Food Giant banners. HFG’s Food Giant stores will be the first in Arkansas to participate in this program.
In addition to Arkansas, participating stores are located across Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Missouri.
Shannon Clark, HFG’s senior director of marketing, worked with Auburn University to introduce the HFMI program into stores.
“At Houchens Food Group, our mission is to make a meaningful impact in the communities we call home. We are proud to team up with Auburn University to expand the Add Milk program to additional states and help make milk more accessible for families,” Clark said.
“Milk contains essential nutrients and is an important component for a nutritious diet; this partnership is another way we can help families get more value for their grocery dollar.”
About SNAP Nutrition Incentives and the HFMI Program
Programs such as HFMI and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) promote healthier eating among SNAP participants by providing discounts or bonuses for purchasing nutritious foods. Specifically, HFMI projects offer a dollar-for-dollar discount or rebate when SNAP participants buy fluid milk.
Since its inception, Congress has appropriated $15 million for HFMI grants, awarded competitively to Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute since fiscal year 2022. By the end of 2025, HFMI is expected to be operating in more than 1,150 grocery stores across 32 states.
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