Meet Double Up Champion: House Representative Julie Brixie

At Double Up Food Bucks, we’re on a mission to make fruits and veggies an accessible, affordable option for Michigan shoppers who use SNAP while also supporting our local farmers and communities. But this work simply wouldn’t be possible without the farmers markets and neighborhood grocery stores, community partners, legislators, and shoppers, at the very heart of our program: Our Double Up Champions.   

Meet Double Up Champion: House Representative Julie Brixie , Michigan’s 73rd House District  

Through our Double Up Champion blog series, we want to elevate stories of the Michiganders who have made the Double Up program a statewide success (and national model) since 2009. Champions like Representative Julie Brixie, currently serving in Michigan’s 73rd House District, located in part of Ingham County. Keep reading to learn more about how Representative Brixie supports Double Up as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and let us know about a Double Up Champion near you!

What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?   

Asparagus and heirloom tomatoes

How do you work with Double Up Food Bucks?  

I serve as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and have used that position to champion maintaining and expanding funding for Double Up Food Bucks. Every year, I ensure we hear testimony in committee from the Fair Food Network highlighting the great work they do and the need for us to help them expand to more communities.

How does Double Up Food Bucks help people?   

Double Up Food Bucks doesn’t just help families survive, it ensures they thrive by providing them with healthy options that supply the nutrients and energy needed to feel good and be successful. Providing families with healthy fruits and vegetables ensures better health and greater opportunities while putting money back into their pocketbooks and giving local farmers a boost.

Why do you believe it’s important to support Michigan-grown produce?   

Agriculture is the second largest economic driver in Michigan behind manufacturing. We have over 300 agricultural products that contribute to the cultural heritage of our communities. Our specialty crops like cherries, asparagus, blueberries, apples and melons are a huge part of what makes our state so special. We also saw during the COVID-19 pandemic how vital our local farms are when supply chain disruptions led to shortages at the grocery store. Supporting Michigan produce means ensuring the continuation of our treasured family farms who we rely on for our food supply.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share with shoppers about using Double Up?

Get to the farmer’s market early before they run out of your favorite items.

Thank you, Representative Brixie, for advocating to expand support for Double Up Food Bucks to help families eat locally grown fruits and veggies while boosting Michigan’s economy! Do you know a Double Up Champion in your neighborhood? Tell us about them here!