About double up food bucks

More healthy food for New Yorkers, more business for farmers, and more dollars in local communities.

Our story

In 2014, Field & Fork Network began administering the Double Up Food Bucks program at 7 farmer’s markets in Western New York. Since then, Double Up has grown to 30 counties and more than 180 sites across New York, and become a model for communities nationwide.

Field & Fork Network believes big ideas and bold actions are needed to create lasting change in and with communities. Double Up is one of the ambitious ways it is helping communities harness the power of food.

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pounds of healthy food purchased by New York families using Double Up

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New York farmers benefit from Double Up every year

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Stores and markets across New York accept Double Up

Why We Need Double Up

Too many families struggle to bring home the healthy food they need to thrive. Every year, more than 2.8 Million New Yorkers residents use SNAP to help put food on the table.

We’re working towards a New York where everyone has greater access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Double Up Food Bucks NY is a program of Field & Fork Network. It matches EBT or food stamp dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per day.

This means more healthy food for families, more business for local farmers, and a boost for local economies. Everyone wins.

Double Up Food Bucks:

  • Brings fruits and vegetables within reach of every New Yorker.
  • Creates new markets for New York farmers, which puts more money in their pockets and strengthens local economies.
  • Increases families’ food dollars and supports better nutrition while building a fairer food system—from farm to fork.
Double Up matches SNAP
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Double Up is a Win for Everyone

With Double Up, families who need it most get the support to buy twice as many fruits and veggies, whether fresh strawberries at farmers markets or New York-grown potatoes at grocery stores.

And the cherry on top: these purchases support local farmers and create more vibrant local economies.

People and Families

32,000 New Yorkers have used Double Up to buy $4.9 million in local fruits and vegetables. 96% of them say that they ate more produce, like apples, tomatoes, cherries, and broccoli. We think that’s just peachy.

And more than 90% of those who used Double Up at farmers markets ate more fruits and vegetables, like apples, melons, cucumbers, and broccoli. We think that’s just peachy.

Dunkirk Market
Tom Tower
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Farmers

Of farmers who participated in Double Up, 90% sold more fruits and vegetables, and 85% made more money.

With greater sales, some farmers were able to expand their production and even buy or lease new equipment—giving a particular boost to farmers just starting out.

Local Economies

To support area businesses and strengthen communities, buying more local produce is low-hanging fruit.

One dollar spent at a farmers market can generate $2.80 for a community’s economy. If 20% of food purchases in New York were shifted to local sources, it is estimated this shift would create more than 42,000 new jobs.

Happy Shoppers
Thera Farms
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A Model for America

Double Up Food Bucks is a national model, piloted in NY in 2014. Today, Double Up is offered in more than 180 locations across New York and more 900 locations in dozens of states.

A little goes a long way. As food assistance is the largest single expenditure in the federal agriculture budget, redirecting even a small percentage toward locally grown food has enormous impact in local communities.

Double Up Food Bucks Reports

Curious to learn how the Double Up Food Bucks program has evolved?  Check out our yearly Double Up Food Bucks reports below!

Want to learn more about Double Up Food Bucks on the national scene?

Double Up Food Bucks New York Five-Year Report

Click below to download the report.

Our team

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Double Up Food Bucks is a program of Field & Fork Network. Field & Fork Network is a connector – whether it’s connecting farmers to new economic opportunities or connecting consumers to affordable fresh food, our work is designed to link communities together to make them stronger.

Understanding and evaluating how our work impacts communities is critical and an important part of what we do.

Frances McGuire

Program Director
Double Up Food Bucks
fmcguire@fieldandforknetwork.com

Sylvia Kelly

State Policy Manager
Field & Fork Network
skelly@fieldandforknetwork.com

Bryan Gertz

Site Coordinator
Double Up Food Bucks NY
bgertz@fieldandforknetwork.com

Nichole Borchard

Communications & Partnerships Manager
Field & Fork Network
nborchard@fieldandforknetwork.com

Our Partners

Double Up Food Bucks would not exist — much less be such a success — without the support of our many partners.

Fresh News

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