Q: What is SNAP, and how can I get it?

A: SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  SNAP benefits are issued monthly on the Oregon Trail Card and can be used to buy eligible foods at most grocery stores and farmers markets.  To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, go to the Oregon DHS website or dial 2-1-1 on any phone (211info is a toll-free service).

Q: If I have an EBT card from another state, can I get Double Up?

A: Yes, you can get Double Up with any state’s EBT card. However, Oregon Double Up must be used at the grocery store where you got them, or at participating Oregon farmers markets.

Q: What EBT currencies can I use for a Double Up match? 

A: If you receive SNAP/EBT-food and/or P-EBT food benefits you can use it to get a Double Up match at all participating locations in the state of Oregon.

Unfortunately, Double Up funding does not allow matching for EBT Cash transactions. Farmers Market Fund has created a separate matching program for matching EBT Cash, called Produce Match. Produce Match is available at around 20 participating farmers markets during the main market season (May – Oct), and works exactly like Double Up Food Bucks at farmers markets! To find out which locations near you offer Produce Match, click here. 

Right now you cannot get Double Up or other Match when you use EBT-cash at participating grocery stores or CSAs.

Q: Why isn’t this program available to non-SNAP customers?

A: Double Up is a federally funded program. According to Federal guidelines, only SNAP/EBT-food recipients are eligible to participate.

Q: Does DUFB work the same at grocery stores and farmers markets?

A: No. Grocery stores and farmers markets operate separate Double Up programs. Visit https://doubleuporegon.org/markets/ to learn more about how Double Up works at Oregon farmers markets, or https://doubleuporegon.org/grocery-stores to learn more about how Double Up works at Oregon grocery stores.  

Q: Can farmers market Double Up vouchers be used at grocery stores?

A: No. Unfortunately you cannot use your farmers Market vouchers at a participating grocery store and you cannot use the Double Up you got at a grocery store at a participating farmers market.

Q: Can I use the Double Up I got at a grocery store at another participating grocery store?

A: No, your Double Up must be used at the same grocery store where you got them, unless you are using it at one of several participating chain stores.

Q: What is CSA? 

A: CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. When you purchase a CSA share, you are providing your farmer with the resources they need to grow your food. In return, your farmer commits to giving you a “share” of their crop, and you receive the highest-quality, sustainably-grown food available, all season long.

Q: How do I use my Oregon Trail Card to purchase a CSA share?

A: It’s easy!  Simply find a CSA farmer that accepts SNAP – you can use the “Find a Farm” page at https://www.pnwcsa.org/find-a-farm and under “Payment Options” select “SNAP”.  Find your favorite farm, and contact them directly – they’ll sign you up.

Q: How do I get Double Up Food Bucks for my CSA?  

A: When you use your Oregon Trail Card SNAP food benefits to purchase a CSA share from a participating farm, Double Up Food Bucks are automatically applied to your payment – you don’t have to do anything!

Q: Why can’t I get Double Up Food Bucks for CSA when I have EBT cash benefits?

A: Double Up Food Bucks funding only allows matching for SNAP/EBT-food transactions. This is a government limitation that we regret. But you can always use your SNAP cash benefits when you swipe your Oregon Trail Card in person at farmers markets and grocery stores, and select farmers markets even offer a separate program specifically for EBT Cash transactions called Produce Match. 

Q: Do I have to sign up for something?

A: When you purchase a CSA share, the PNW CSA Coalition will send you a monthly payment agreement, which allows the Double Up to be credited to your account.

Q: Can I use my Double Up anywhere else?

A: Double Up for CSA works as an incentive to purchase your CSA share – the Double Up is automatically deducted from the total cost of the share.  However you can still shop at farmers markets and grocery stores, which also have Double Up programs.  

Q: What fruits and vegetables will I get in my CSA Share?

A: Our local CSA farmers are growing almost everything!  Produce varies depending on the season.  You’ll most likely receive beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, chilis, potatoes, squash, apples, carrots, cauliflower, leafy greens, eggplant, garlic, onions, herbs, peppers, radishes, and lots of others!  

Q: How does Double Up work at farmers markets?

A: Double Up Food Bucks (Double Up) is a program that “matches” SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers markets. For every $2 of SNAP benefits you choose to spend at the market, you’ll get a dollar for dollar  match of up to $20 in Double Up that you can spend on fruits and vegetables. So, if you spend $20 in SNAP benefits, you’ll get an extra $20 – FREE – that you can use to buy more produce.

Since Double Up are $2 each, try to ask for an even number of SNAP benefits so we can give you the full match. If you ask for $5 in SNAP, you’ll only get $4 in Double Up, but if you ask for $6 from your SNAP Card, you’ll get $6 in Double Up.

The total daily match limit varies based on location. Please check out our full list of locations to find out the daily match limit at your local farmers market.

Q: Do I have to spend $20 in SNAP to get the Double Up match?

A: Nope! You can match any amount up to $20 each day. Farmers market Double Up coupons come in $2 increments, so we recommend getting an even dollar amount to maximize your match. 

Q: How do I use my Oregon Trail Card at a farmers market?

A: Most markets have an Information Booth where a staff person can swipe your Oregon Trail Card. You’ll tell the staff person how much you want to spend in SNAP benefits, and you’ll get that amount of market currency  that you spend like cash with the vendors that sell SNAP eligible food items (meat, nuts, cheese, eggs, bread, produce, etc.). Each farmers market issues its own unique SNAP currency – these are usually wooden tokens, typically worth $1 each, and are only good at the market where you received them.

Money is deducted from your SNAP balance the day you get the tokens, whether or not you spend the market currency that day. SNAP tokens can be spent any time during the entire market season. Vendors are not allowed to give change for SNAP tokens.

Q: Do I have to sign up for something to use Double Up at the farmers market?

A: No, just come to the market and use your Oregon Trail card at the Information Booth. Your personal information will not be recorded.

Q: What if I don’t want to spend all my Double Up today?

A: Keep them and use them next week! Double Up are not refundable because they’re free. Some people like to save up their Double Up for when their favorite fruit and vegetables are in season, and then buy large quantities to can or freeze. New Double Up currency is printed each calendar year, so be sure to use them before they expire December 31.

Q: Why can I only get $20 per market day?

A: Double Up has a limited budget. We want as many people as possible to get the benefit of doubling their fruit and vegetable purchasing power, and the best way to do that is to limit the amount of Food Bucks one person can get per market visit. You can come back every week to this market, and you can visit any other participating market, and you’ll get up to $20 matched at each visit.

Q: Can I use Double Up anywhere else?

A: You can! There are a handful of farmers markets open and offering Double Up during Fall and Winter 2022-2023 . Go to www.doubleuporegon.org to find currently open locations. Double Up Food Bucks earned at farmers markets can only be spent at participating Double Up Farmers Market locations, and cannot be spent with participating CSA Farms or grocery stores. However, you are invited to participate in the Double Up program separately at all three outlet types.

Q: What fruits and vegetables can I find at Oregon farmers markets?

A: Depending on the time of year, you’ll often see these fruits and vegetables, and some you have never heard of!

• Apples Apricots Blackberries Blueberries Cherries Grapes Melons Nectarines Peaches Pears Plums Raspberries

  Strawberries Tomatoes Asparagus Beans Broccoli Brussel Sprouts Cabbage Carrots Cauliflower Corn Cucumber Eggplant

  Garlic Green Beans Lettuce Mushrooms Onions Peas Peppers Potatoes Pumpkins Radishes Squash

And many more!

See our seasonal fruits and vegetables chart here! This is Oregon and we can never take weather for granted, so availability is not guaranteed. If you are looking for something in particular, reach out to your local market! They often have an idea of what farmers plan to bring to market each week, and can let you know what to expect. 

Q: What products are eligible for Double Up at grocery stores?

A: You can get and use Double Up Food Bucks on all fresh fruits and vegetables with no added sugar, salt, or preservatives. Mushrooms, beans, fresh herbs, and edible plant starts and plant seeds are also eligible.

Do not qualify: Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, bagged salad kits with dressing, and fruit cups or juices with added sugar are not permitted.

Q: How do I get Double Up at grocery stores?

A: The program works as a $1 to $1 match, so when you spend $1 with your SNAP-EBT card on eligible items (see above), you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks. You may receive your Double Up through a coupon, store card, or automatic discount. Ask a cashier or staff member at a participating store to learn exactly how you can get and use Double Up at that location.

Q: How do I use Double Up at grocery stores?

A: You can use Double Up dollars when purchasing eligible items (see above), and you present your Double Up coupon or store card to a cashier at the beginning of a transaction. Stores that offer an automatic discount apply Double Up at checkout as a 50% discount off eligible items. You do not need to use EBT to pay for your transaction to use Double Up. Ask a cashier or staff member at a participating store to learn exactly how you can get and use Double Up at that location.

Q: Is there a limit on the amount of Double Up customers can get and use at grocery stores at one time?

A: Yes, the limit for the amount of Double Up you can get is $20 per transaction. There is no limit on the amount of Double Up that you can use at one time.

You can get up to a $20 match during each transaction at grocery stores offering automatic discounts. For example, if you spent $50 on fruits and veggies only, you would receive $20 off, and the new total would be $30.

Q: Does my Double Up expire? How soon do I need to use it at the store?

A: Yes, you must use your Double Up before it expires. Be sure to check with a cashier or customer service representative at the store to confirm the expiration date.

Q: Can I use multiple EBT cards to purchase fruits and vegetables with Double Up at grocery stores? 

A: No. When you use multiple EBT cards the register won’t be able to give you Double Up. You must use one EBT card during purchases of fruits and vegetables to get your Double Up.

Q: Can I receive a refund on a Double Up purchase at grocery stores? 

A: No. You cannot receive a refund on Double Up vouchers but you can exchange the product for another eligible item. Double Up cannot be re-issued to you and no cash refunds are allowed.  

Q: Are WIC participants eligible for Double Up? 

A: No, only SNAP recipients are eligible for Double Up. 

Q: How can I find out more information about the grocery program? 

A: You can request more information about the grocery program by reaching out to the staff team at Oregon Food Bank: doubleupgrocery@oregonfoodbank.org