Double up food bucks Michigan receives new funding

By Andi Anderson

Double Up Food Bucks Michigan, a program that helps Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants purchase fruits and vegetables, has received new federal funding to meet the increasing demand. The $8.4 million investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will enable the program to expand its reach and provide more support to Michigan families struggling with high food prices.

"The need for Double Up Food Bucks is growing in every corner of the state as families continue to face challenges to afford healthy and nutritious food," said Kate Krauss, CEO at Fair Food Network, the organization that operates Double Up Food Bucks Michigan. "This new support will boost Double Up's positive impact for Michigan farmers and families alike to ensure we can meet the high level of need."

Double Up Food Bucks matches SNAP benefits dollar-for-dollar when used to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and grocery stores. This allows families to stretch their food budgets and access more nutritious food. The program has been shown to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among SNAP participants, improve overall diet quality, and support local farmers and food retailers.

The new funding will allow Double Up Food Bucks Michigan to remove the $10-per-day spending cap that was implemented in early 2023 due to limited resources. Shoppers will now be able to earn up to $20-per-day in Double Up Food Bucks matches, providing greater flexibility and support for Michigan families.

"This flush of new funding makes a huge difference to the moms and dads working multiple jobs, trying to put fruits and vegetables on the table for their kids. It helps seniors on a budget make sure they have enough nutritious food in their diet to stay healthy," Krauss said.

Fair Food Network is also advocating for increased federal funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), the USDA program that provides grants to support nutrition incentive programs like Double Up Food Bucks. Strengthening and improving GusNIP would enable more states and communities to implement and expand nutrition incentive programs, addressing the growing need for food assistance nationwide.

Learn more about Double Up Food Bucks in Michigan and nationwide advocacy efforts underway.

Photo Credit: istock-arthon-meekodong