Help make local fruits and veggies available to all!
What is Double Up Food Bucks?
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) is a nutrition incentive program that matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits to enable participants to purchase additional fruits and vegetables.
For every dollar spent on SNAP-eligible foods at participating farmers markets, farm share programs (CSAs), and select independently-owned grocery stores (with a focus on stores owned by and serving communities of color) across Oregon, SNAP recipients receive an additional dollar to spend on Oregon-grown fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per visit.
Today, Double Up is more important than ever. Everyone deserves access to nutritious food that helps us thrive. Yet 1 in 8 kids in Oregon lives in a household that struggles to afford food. The cost of food increased by over 10% in 2022, which impacted communities already facing disparities the hardest.
What can HB 2728 do for families, farmers, and public health in Oregon?
An investment in House Bill 2728 leads to an increased consumption of fresh food for low income Oregonians. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps lower the risk of may serious and chronic health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
It creates greater resilience and puts money in the pockets of family farmers.
Double Up Food Bucks is a perfect investment as we work to stabilize Oregon post-pandemic, serving an immediate need of feeding people while investing in local farmers and local economies. Every SNAP dollar spent at a farmers market can generate $3 in local economic activity!
Why should Oregon fund Double Up Food Bucks?
To provide stability for and allow expansion of a successful program that has proven to provide support for low-income Oregonians.
To leverage additional federal and private sector funds. Farmers Market Fund leveraged the State of Oregon’s $4 Million investment in DUFB from 2021 to secure nearly $4 Million in federal funding through the federal USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.
With additional continued funding, the Double up Food Bucks program can maintain services at existing sites while expanding to new regions of the state, improving access to fresh, local fruits and vegetables for all Oregon SNAP participants. Without continued funding, the program will be forced to drastically limit the number of participating sites in the next biennium.
Support Double Up Food Bucks Today!
In order to keep Double Up present in Oregon communities, and to expand services to more farmers markets around the state, we need your support. Please tell your legislator today about how House Bill 2728 good for Oregonians, family farmers, and local food economies!
