A Family Business Rooted in Community 

In 1993, Arteagas Food Center opened its doors with a simple mission: to serve the local community with fresh, quality food. Today, with 10 locations across Northern California’s South Bay and East Bay, the family-owned business continues to thrive by prioritizing California-grown produce and supporting local farmers. 

The Challenge: Making Healthy Food More Accessible 

For years, Arteagas Food Center faced a challenge familiar to many independent grocers—ensuring that fresh, nutritious food was accessible to low-income families relying on SNAP EBT benefits. Many customers wanted to buy healthier options but found fresh produce to be financially out of reach. 

The Solution: Partnering with GusNIP & SPUR 

Arteagas Food Center discovered the GusNIP program nearly a decade ago when California’s first Double Up Food Bucks initiative launched under what was initially called the Food Incentive Nutrition Insecurity (FINI) Program. As the first pilot retailer in Northern California, they partnered with SPUR (San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association) to introduce an incentive system that made healthy eating easier and more affordable. The program allows customers using SNAP EBT to earn up to $60 a month with the purchase of any produce with a dollar-for-dollar match amount deposited back onto the EBT card for future fruit and vegetable purchases.  

The Results: Healthier Customers, Stronger Business 

The impact has been remarkable. Customers are purchasing more fresh produce, and in turn improving the diets of their families. This incentive has also fostered a sense of loyalty—many shoppers return to redeem the increased funding allocated to their EBT cards and make additional purchases, leading to increased sales and larger basket sizes. 

“We’ve seen an increase in produce sales and customer retention. People appreciate the opportunity to stretch their dollars and eat healthier,” says Alfredo Lopez, COO and owner. 

The Champions Behind the Change 

At the heart of the program’s success is Arteagas Food Center’s leadership team, primarily family members who have championed the initiative from the beginning. Their hands-on approach to implementation, customer education, and seamless operations has been key to sustaining and expanding the program’s reach. 

Advice for Other Retailers: Take the Leap 

For grocers considering a nutrition incentive program, Lopez highly recommends getting involved whenever possible. 

“It’s a win-win—you help low-income families access fresh food, you grow your business, and you build customer loyalty. If you partner with the right organizations, it’s a smooth process that pays off for everyone involved.” 

The Power of Community-Focused Retail 

Arteagas Food Center has transformed its approach to serving customers by integrating a program that benefits both health and business. Their success proves that when independent grocers invest in community-driven initiatives, they don’t just boost sales—they become a trusted pillar of support for the families they serve. 

For retailers looking to make a lasting impact, programs like GusNIP offer a path to innovation, customer engagement, and long-term growth. 

 

*Arteagas Food Center’s program is currently on pause as their grantee partners apply for more funding to get the program back up and running.*