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About Double Up Food Bucks
More healthy food for Michiganders, more business for farmers, and more dollars in local communities.
Why We Need Double Up
Too many families struggle to bring home the healthy food they need to thrive. Every year, more than 1.35 million Michigan residents use SNAP to help put food on the table.
We're working towards a Michigan where everyone has greater access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Double Up Food Bucks is a program of Fair Food Network. It matches EBT/Bridge Card, or food stamp, dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per day.
This means more healthy food for families, more business for local farmers, and a boost for local economies. Everyone wins.
Double Up Food Bucks:
- Brings fruits and vegetables within reach of every Michigander.
- Creates new markets for Michigan farmers, which puts more money in their pockets and strengthens local economies.
- Increases families' food dollars and supports better nutrition while building a fairer food system—from farm to fork.
Double Up is a Win for Everyone
With Double Up, families who need it most get the support to buy twice as much fruits and veggies, whether fresh strawberries at farmers markets or Michigan-grown potatoes at grocery stores.
And the cherry on top: these purchases support local farmers and create more vibrant local economies.
People and Families
In 2023, SNAP and Double Up was used to buy $9.9 million in fruits and vegetables. That's a lot of meals for a lot of people—more than 213,861 households, in fact.
And the more a household uses Double Up at a farmers market or grocery store, the more fruits and vegetables they eat, like apples, melons, cucumbers, and broccoli.
Farmers
Of farmers who participated in Double Up, almost 80% had more customers and nearly 70% made more money because of the program.
With greater sales, some farmers were able to expand their production and even buy or lease new equipment—giving a particular boost to farmers just starting out.
Local Economies
To support area businesses and strengthen communities, buying more local produce is low-hanging fruit. One dollar spent at a farmers market or farm stand can generate $1.70 for a community’s economy. And every dollar spent at a grocery store can generate $1.40 for the local economy.
A Model for America
Michigan program, national model. Double Up was piloted in Detroit in 2009, and soon became a national model. Today, Double Up is offered in more than 230 locations across Michigan and more than 900 locations in dozens of states.
A little goes a long way. As food assistance is the largest single expenditure in the federal agriculture budget, redirecting even a small percentage toward locally grown food has enormous impact on local communities.
Our Story
In 2009, Fair Food Network launched Double Up as a pilot program at five farmers markets in Detroit. Since then, Double Up has grown to more than 230 sites across Michigan, stretching from St. Ignace to Benton Harbor, and become a model for communities nationwide.
Fair Food Network believes big ideas and bold actions are needed to create lasting change in and with communities. Double Up is one of the ambitious ways it is helping communites harness the power of food.
Emily Case
Technology Projects Manager
Double Up Food Bucks
Alana Crawford
Program Ambassador
Double Up Food Bucks
Rachel Hoh
Director
Double Up Food Buck
Jessica Lofton-Williams
Community Engagement Manager
Double Up Food Bucks
Aaron Neeley
Program Ambassador
Double Up Food Bucks
Ricardo Ortiz
Manager, Farmers Markets and
Direct Sites
Double Up Food Bucks
Holly Parker
Chief Strategy and Program Officer
Fair Food Network
Kendra Valkema
Information Manager
Double Up Food Bucks
Charles Walker
Retail Specialist
Double Up Food Bucks