New Federal Program to Double SNAP Value When Used to Buy Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

When the farm bill was passed earlier this year, there was a little-hyped program included that seeks to double the value of SNAP (food stamp) dollars when they’re spent at farmer’s markets for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The program is an expansion of smaller programs at farmers markets throughout the country. The Crossroads Farmer’s Market was the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the National Watermelon Association, and used that money to redeem SNAP funds for double their value in the market. (A person would redeem 15 dollars of SNAP funds from their EBT card for 30 dollars worth of tokens to spend in the market.) Another program located in Harlem and the South Bronx gives SNAP recipients four additional “HealthBucks” coupons for fruits and vegetables for every ten dollars of SNAP funds spent at a farmer’s market.

The program has received support from both sides of the aisle, according to NPR:

He invited one of Michigan’s senators — Democrat Debbie Stabenow — to see Double Up Food Bucks for herself. And last year, Stabenow, who is chairwoman of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, proposed including it in the so-called farm bill.

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