What’s in Your Bag: Doubling Up at Local Farmers Markets

Use $10 a day with Double Up Food Bucks at your local farmers market

When you use your Bridge Card, Double Up Food Bucks matches your fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $10 a day. That means you and your family get twice the fresh fruits and veggies. With nearly 250 participating sites, Michiganders have a lot of options when it comes to shopping with Double Up. Farmers markets are a great place to use Double Up so you can savor peak-of-season produce. Plus, the fruits and vegetables you buy help support Michigan farmers and boost the local economy!

If you have a Bridge Card, you’re automatically eligible for Double Up Food Bucks. Learn more about how to get 2x the fruits and vegetables.

See what you can get for $10 at your local farmers market with Double Up:

Flint Farmers Market
Operating for more than 110 years, the Flint Farmers Market is open all year, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Many of the produce vendors accept SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks. You can stop by the Friends of the Market booth to get started and learn more about using your benefits at the market.

Buying local produce in Flint doesn’t get any better than at the farmers market. Vendors will gladly let you know what products are locally produced. Here is what we purchased with the $10 in Double Up Food Bucks– all locally grown in Michigan!

  • Kale – $2
  • Corn – $1.50
  • Peaches – $3
  • Potatoes – $1.50
  • Zucchini – $2

 

Detroit’s Eastern Market
Eastern Market has been nourishing Detroit since 1891.The market is a bustling place to find great deals on fruits and vegetables. It’s open year-round on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. From June to September,  market hours expand to Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Stop by the Welcome Center for information about SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks at the market. Many vendors will display what benefits they accept at their booth.

Green beans, raspberries, broccoli and sweet potatoes from Detroit's Eastern Market.

Did you know? Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber, which can help you stay satisfied longer while also helping lower blood pressure and balance cholesterol levels. With the wide assortment of produce offered at Eastern Market, here’s a fiber-rich haul we purchased with the $10 of Double Up!

  • Green Beans – $3
  • ½ pint Raspberries – $2
  • Broccoli – $3
  • Sweet Potatoes  – $2

 

Oakland County Farmers Market
As a producer-only market, the Oakland County Farmers Market is brimming with local farmers, flower vendors and product makers from the community. The 100-year-old market is open year round on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. during the months of May – November. The market’s information booth will help provide information on how to use SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks tokens at the site. Visit the farmers market webpage for a list of community events, including community yoga and garage sales.

Picture of chard, a pint of cherry tomatoes and two bell peppers from Oakland County Farmers Market.

With so many local farmers, Oakland County Farmers Market makes shopping seasonally a breeze. And when food is at the peak of supply, costs tend to be lower, too. Check out our handy guides covering in-season produce for the fall and winter and in-season produce in the spring and summer. Here is an assortment of fresh, seasonal vegetables sourced from Oakland County producers thanks to $10 in Double Up Food Bucks:

  • Pint of Cherry Tomatoes – $5
  • Rainbow Chard – $3
  • Peppers – $2

 

Double Up on fresh produce now and enjoy twice the fruits and veggies.

 

Find a participating Double Up location near you!

Fresh News From Around Michigan

Green Back Arrow
Green Forward Arrow

Tips for Storing Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetable Broth 5 Ways

Roasted Butternut Squash with Citrus Gastrique