Smart Strategies for Stretching Your Food Budget 

When SNAP benefits are disrupted, the stress on our food budgets can mount quickly. Double Up Food Bucks exists to help families make the most of their food dollars, and we’re stepping up to expand our program and offer more support during the delay in SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.  

Read on to learn about our program updates and some smart strategies you can pair with Double Up to stretch your food dollars even further and build a budget-friendly food plan for turbulent times. 

How Double Up is Stepping Up 

Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program offers a dollar-for-dollar match on fruits and veggies you buy with your Bridge Card at more than 230 locations across Michigan. With the disruption of SNAP benefits this November due to the federal government shutdown, Fair Food Network and its partners expanded Double Up to help program participants continue to bring home produce they might otherwise be missing out on. This included lifting the daily $20 earning limit, eliminating expiration on earnings, making frozen fruits and vegetables eligible statewide, and offering $40 Double Up Bonus Bucks vouchers for fruits and vegetables—no SNAP purchase needed—at participating locations while supplies last. All of these updates are in effect until December 31, 2025. Learn more. 

If you are eligible for or already shop with a Bridge Card, participating in Double Up can mean more produce for your food budget — and when SNAP is unstable, that extra boost matters even more. Find a location near you. 

4 Smart Strategies for Stretching Your Food Budget 

Here are four practical ways to pair your Double Up with smart shopping and preparation to make your food dollars go further. 

1. Shop for locally grown and/or seasonal produce. 

There are many reasons why buying locally grown produce helps your budget. Local farms often have lower transportation and distribution costs, which can translate into lower prices for customers. Plus, most of the local produce you’ll find is in season and in abundance, which can also mean better deals. Seasonal produce is often fresher and can have a longer shelf life once you bring it home. 

Here are some examples of the seasonal produce you can find in Michigan so you can plan recipes around what is abundant during each season: 

• In the fall and winter, look out for root vegetables, squash, and leafy greens. Check out our favorite fall fruits and veggies, as well as some seasonal recipes! 

• Seasonal produce in spring and summer includes local asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, berries, and lettuce. Here’s a lineup of our favorite spring fruits and veggies and how to add them to your next meal. 

Remember, when you shop for local produce with Double Up, it’s a three-way win: more produce for you, more opportunities for local farmers, and more food dollars stay in your local community. 

Shopping tips: 

• At the grocery store, look for “locally grown” sections or check the state of origin on produce stickers/labels.  

• Shop at our farmers markets and farm stand partners that accept Bridge Cards and Double Up. Ask what’s in season (or what is the best deal) and plan your meals around those items.  

2. Buy in bulk and look out for discounts. 

Fruits and veggies that store well for weeks are good options to buy in bulk. Fruits like apples and pears can last a few weeks in the fridge, while veggies like potatoes and onions can last a few weeks in your pantry. Combine these with other long-lasting pantry items, like beans, lentils, rice, and pasta—and you’ll be set up for a variety of healthy, hearty meals! 

Shopping tips: 

• Grocery stores often release deals and markdowns on certain days of the week or times of day. Ask your local grocer when you can expect to find discounts on produce. 

• Consider shopping near closing time at farmers markets and farm stands. Some vendors offer last-minute deals before they close up shop. 

3. Know How to Store and Preserve Your Produce 

Saving your food budget doesn’t just happen at the store. Knowing how to store and preserve your fresh fruits and veggies can help you waste less food and less money. 

• Extend the shelf life of your fresh produce with some helpful storage tips.  

• Freeze or preserve surplus fruits and veggies. If you find a great deal, buy extra so you can stretch your bounty and enjoy it later. 

4. Meal Prep to Make It All Count 

Another great tool to help you maximize your food budget is meal prep. With a bit of upfront planning, you can save time and reduce waste while ensuring you have great meals in the mix. 

Meal‐prep tips: 

• Plan your meals before you shop. Choose recipes that help you take advantage of the fruits and veggies you can bring home with Double Up. 

• Use versatile items that you can buy in bulk (like root vegetables) and use them in different meals—from side dishes to soups. 

• Keep frozen produce on hand so you have more flexibility when your fresh fruits and veggies run out. 

• Pre‐wash, chop, and portion produce so it’s ready to go; this makes cooking faster and increases the odds you’ll use it rather than toss it. 

• Cook larger batches and save leftovers: one large pot of veggie-rich soup or casserole can become multiple meals. 

• Plan for “budget-friendly” days: Designate one or two meals per week that are simpler and heavily plant-based, using the produce you bring home with Double Up.  

A disruption to SNAP can be stressful—but programs like Double Up Food Bucks and smart shopping habits can help ease the burden.  

Ready to shop? 

Find a participating Double Up Food Bucks location near you!