A program that matches purchases of fruits and vegetables using food assistance benefits, up to $20 a day, has lifted that cap amid the looming pause of a federal program.
The Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program helps families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) buy more fresh produce at more than 230 participating grocery stores and farmers markets across Michigan. This week, the national nonprofit announced changes, effective through the end of the year, in response to news that SNAP would be halted as a result of the federal government’s shut down.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture directed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to pause November SNAP benefits until further notice. Roughly 1.4 million Michiganders receive SNAP benefits. A banner on the federal department’s website reads: “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
“Double Up works because SNAP works. When SNAP is disrupted, families feel it immediately — and so do the local grocers and farmers who serve them,” said Kate Krauss, CEO of Fair Food Network, in a news release. “That’s why we’re acting quickly to ease the burden, expand access to healthy food, and support the community food retailers that keep fresh produce on shelves and dollars circulating locally. This is what we’re built to do — step up with practical, community-rooted solutions when it matters most.”
Here are the changes to the Double Up Food Bucks program, effective immediately and in place through Dec. 31:
- The Fair Food Network has lifted a 90-day limit for shoppers to use their Double Up Food Bucks meaning there’s no expiration.
- The program has also lifted the daily earning cap of $20 per day. Previously, shoppers could buy fresh fruits and vegetables from participating locations, up to $20 daily, and get matched dollar for dollar to double their purchasing power. Now, the match limit is unlimited.
- Shoppers can now use their Double Up Bucks to buy frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt and oil.
If families and individuals have SNAP benefits on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, they can still use them, according to MDHHS. That also means shoppers can still earn and spend their Double Up Bucks for produce purchases, however if they have no benefits remaining, they can’t earn any Double Up Bucks through the program until SNAP resumes. Shoppers can still spend any Double Up Food Bucks remaining.
The Fair Food Network is also introducing a new offering for the month of November called “Double Up Bonus Bucks,” a benefit that doesn’t require SNAP purchases. The nonprofit is expected to announce further details this week.
How to get help
- For more information about the Double Up Food Bucks program, go to doubleupfoodbucks.org/. Call the program’s hotline at 866-586-2796 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday) for questions. Find a participating location at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/find-a-location.
- To find area food pantries and other resources, go to www.fbcmich.org/food-bank-network; pantrynet.org; www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food, or call the Michigan 211 line.