New Federal and Private Support Fuels Growth of SNAP Incentives, Increasing Healthy Food Access
and Supporting Farmers.
Buffalo, N.Y. August 11, 2017 – Field & Fork Network announced today it will be partnering with Fair Food Network and Live Well Colorado to expand and innovate the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program across Western New York.
Double Up Food Bucks boosts the value of SNAP (formerly known as “food stamps”) when spent on fruits and vegetables. For instance, if a family spends $10 in SNAP benefits at a farmers market, they receive $10 in Double Up Food Bucks to buy locally grown produce.
“Having the resources to continue the expansion of Double Up is a great benefit to this community. Not only does it increase access and affordability of fresh produce for low-income individuals and families, it also helps redirect federal food assistance dollars back into our local agriculture community. A definite win-win!” said Lisa French, Co-founder and Executive Director of Field & Fork Network.
This new funding will allow for continued program growth and innovation with a focus on:
- Grocery expansion in Western New York. While SNAP incentives began in farmers markets, grocery is a critical venue to reach more consumers year-round.
- Technology innovations:
- E-incentives: Until recently, most farmers markets processed incentives with physical tokens. New electronic transaction technologies will be deployed at select farmers markets.
- Interoperability: In select Western New York communities, shoppers will be able to earn Double Up Food Bucks at one site and redeem them at a different location. This technology was developed in Flint, Michigan to help residents get more fresh produce in response to the water crisis.
Support for this work is being provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food & Agriculture, by the New York State Health Foundation and by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation in partnership with Fair Food Network.
This builds on a foundation of support provided over the years by the John R. Oishei Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, East Hill Foundation, Grigg Lewis Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, First Niagara Foundation, Univera Healthcare and the Garman Family Fund.
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Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization dedicated to building a thriving regional food system in Western New York by creating more economic opportunities for local agriculture and by providing greater access to fresh, local foods.