Field & Fork Network is pleased to announce the launch of Double Up Food Bucks NY at ACME Markets at 660 McLean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704. This is the first grocery store to offer Double Up Food Bucks NY in Westchester County.
Double Up Food Bucks NY, a nutrition incentive program, increases food security and improves nutrition security by offering SNAP shoppers a $1 for $1 match on purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $5 per day at this and other large grocery locations. Field & Fork Network worked closely with Westchester County, The City of Yonkers, the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and Feeding Westchester to identify a retail store location that would have the greatest benefit for residents. These partnerships have been integral to ensuring the availability and impact of the program.
ACME Markets presented an opportunity to enhance fresh produce accessibility for local residents with the implementation of an innovative solution for offering Double Up Food Bucks at the store. SNAP shoppers will now automatically receive a $5 Double Up Food Bucks coupon every time they purchase at least $5.00 of fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT card (electronic benefits transfer, where SNAP funds are stored). This automated solution makes the program accessible for all SNAP shoppers, reducing barriers and increasing the overall equity and reach of the program to help benefit more members of the community. To receive the automated coupon, shoppers must simply have an ACME Markets loyalty card and use SNAP benefits at the register when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.
“We are thrilled to be working with ACME Markets to bring Double Up Food Bucks to the Yonkers community. By having our program available in grocery stores, we are able to reach many more SNAP shoppers, making healthy foods more affordable and accessible,” said Lisa French, Co-Founder and CEO of Field & Fork Network.
“ACME is honored to amplify this program in our stores,” states Dana Ward, Director of Communications & Public Affairs for the Mid-Atlantic Division. “Double Up Food Bucks allows us to better service our customers and honor their healthy purchases. We are grateful for our partnership with Field and Fork for allowing us to help make healthy foods more affordable.”
NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Ensuring access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of building thriving communities. I am proud that Double Up Food Bucks NY, our statewide incentive program, is working to address food insecurity in Westchester. By providing affordable, fresh produce through innovative solutions, we empower individuals and families to make healthier choices. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to nutritious options, laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient community.”
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow said, “Access to nutritious food is not just a basic necessity; it’s a fundamental right. By prioritizing initiatives that ensure every New Yorker has access to healthy meals, we not only alleviate immediate hunger but also lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient community. I am pleased to hear that Double Up Food Bucks NY is taking on the challenge to assist in closing the food insecurity gap within our state.”
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The Double Up Food Bucks program expands the purchasing power of SNAP recipients, enabling them to purchase more healthy, fresh produce for themselves and their families, while also supporting local economies and farms. We are grateful for our growing partnership with Field & Fork Network, which supports our core mission to help New Yorkers meet their essential needs and strengthens Governor Hochul’s work to expand access to affordable, nutritious, locally grown food in underserved communities across the state.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “We want to make sure that no one in Westchester goes hungry. And with food cost inflation and the end of enhanced COVID help for SNAP recipients, it’s important that we help those in need with access to fresh healthy food to feed their families. I want to thank our state and federal partners for funding this program and Field & Fork Network and ACME Markets for bringing it to Westchester County, and I hope we’ll be able to expand it to more markets in Westchester to provide the help that people need.”
Mayor of Yonkers, Mike Spano, said “Food insecurity was brought to the forefront during the pandemic. As we continue to navigate beyond it, the need to access healthy meals and fresh produce remains a top priority for many of our local families. Double Up Food Bucks is an incentive for SNAP shoppers to be able to provide for their families and I’m thrilled the pilot program started here in Yonkers. It’s critical we support our families with basic needs to improve their quality of life.”
Tom Gabriel, President and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam, said, “Double Up Food Bucks is an invaluable resource for our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet and want to provide nutritious food for their families, and we are proud to partner with Field & Fork Network and ACME Markets on this critical program.”
Monique Marshall MS, RDN, CD-N, Manager, Nutrition Resource at Feeding Westchester said, “Feeding Westchester is proud to partner with Field & Fork, Westchester County, The City of Yonkers and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam County to introduce Double Up Food Bucks New York in our County. 1 in 3 Westchester households are at risk of hunger and this initiative responds to the critical need, especially in providing access to healthy necessities like fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite the essential support offered by SNAP, the benefits often do not fully cover the nutritional needs of families. Feeding Westchester advocates for an increased minimum SNAP benefit and Double Up Food Bucks will increase the spending power of those benefits.”
“Benefits programs like Double Up Food Bucks are a true two-for-one deal: they reduce hunger and improve health,” said Julia McCarthy, Senior Program Officer at the New York Health Foundation. “We are thrilled to support Field & Fork Network’s efforts to expand Double Up Food Bucks to reach more New Yorkers with food benefits that are convenient to use.”
How the Program Works:
- When customers spend $5 or more on fresh produce using their SNAP card, they will receive a $5 dollar coupon that can be redeemed for any eligible Double Up Food Bucks eligible item (fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables).
- Coupons are printed at the bottom of the receipt.
- Customers can earn up to $5/day at this location. Coupons may be saved over multiple purchases to use on future transactions.
- Customers must have an ACME Market loyalty account to participate.
Double Up Food Bucks coupons expire after 60 days, allowing the program to work flexibly and meet individual needs.
ACME Markets is located at 660 McLean Ave in Yonkers, NY. The store is open Monday-Sunday from 6am-11pm.
