Farmers' markets- a place to meet the
people who grow your food, find fresh
food and connect with members of the
community. These markets are a place for
local farmers and the local economy to
benefit from fresh produce sales. However,
access to farmers' markets is not always
possible for low-income families, but
Nebraska Extension is partnering with a
nationwide program to change that. It's
called the Double Up Food Bucks program
and it allows Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or SNAP participants,
double the value of their dollar.
Participants may use their SNAP
electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card,
at participating farmers' markets and
grocery stores to their advantage. For
every dollar spent on fruits and veggies,
another dollar is given back for free
fruits and veggies. For example, if
someone were to spend $10 from his or
her EBT card at a participating farmers
market or grocery store, another ten
dollars is matched with Double Up
rewards. Participants can spend his or
her develop rewards on any fresh fruits
or vegetables, up to the amount of $20.
The Double Up Food Bucks coupons may be
redeemed on the same day of purchase or
they can also be saved for future
purchases. The program was created by the
Fair Food Network, which works to develop
solutions across the food system to
support farmers, strengthen local
economies and increase access to healthy
food, particularly in low-income
communities. Double Up Food Bucks started in
2009 with five farmers' markets in
Detroit and has expanded to more than
150 sites. The program has been
successful in rural, urban, and suburban
communities. Double Up is funded through
grants as well as private donors. It is
the first nationwide incentive program
that has been executed with a uniform
design, central administration and local
implementation. Morgan Hartline,
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Assistant
Extension Educator, says the program is a
win-win-win. Hot line works with SNAP
education to write grants and coordinate
programs in Nebraska counties regarding
policy and the environment.
Nebraska Extension supports Nebraskans
on a daily basis in the areas of
agriculture, technology, health care,
nutrition and more. Beyond Nebraska,
Extension is considered the largest non-formal adult and youth educational
organization in the world. Extensions
role in Double Up is to provide free
nutrition education, food demonstrations
and recipes at participating locations.
The four Double Up locations in Lincoln
include: Fallbrook Farmers' Market, Old
Cheney Road Farmers' Market, the Community
Crops Veggie Van and Leon's Gourmet
Grocery. After only 13 weeks of starting
Double Up, the Community Crops Veggie Van
reported 26 new customers. The Old Cheney
Road Farmers' Market also saw a 50%
increase in SNAP sales from last season.
The program is, in fact, a win-win-win.
Double Up Food Bucks benefits families
who are able to bring home healthier
food, local farmers who gain a broader
customer base and local markets which
receive more attraction. To become a
Double Up market or help spread the word,
go to doubleupfoodbucks.org for
application information. For any
questions on the state level, call 402
472 3716 or
visit doubleupnebraska.org.
