Double Up Food Bucks program stretches food dollars in 3 Michigan cities

AARP Foundation is teaming up with Fair Food Network to spread the word about Fair Food Network’s statewide SNAP incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks. Through a volunteer effort in grocery stores in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek, we aim to increase participation in Double Up—especially among older adults.

 Through volunteer outreach and nutrition education in in grocery stores, AARP Foundation volunteers will encourage older adults who use the Bridge card to enroll in Double Up Food bucks. This stretches food dollars so that shoppers can get more fresh fruits and vegetables.

 Here’s how it works: when a family spends $10 in supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as food stamps) at a participating farmers market or grocery store, the family receives an additional $10 of Double Up Food Bucks to purchase Michigan grown fruits and vegetables. The program runs through Oct 31 at farmers markets and November 30 at grocery stores.

Here's where the Double Up Food Bucks program is running in Michigan:

Detroit:

Imperial Supermarket Detroit

1940 E 8 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48234

 

Parkway Foods Detroit

11250 Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214

 

Prince Valley Market Detroit

5931 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

 

Grand Rapids:

Family Fare        

1225  Leonard St NE,  Grand Rapids, MI 49505-7019

 

Battle Creek :

Family Fare

45 E Columbia Ave, Battle Creek 49015

 

 Since 2009, Double Up has grown from a small pilot in five farmers markets in Detroit to a statewide program at more than 150 sites including grocery stores in one of the first pilots in the nation.

  Seeking Volunteers

We need volunteers in grocery stores to explain how older adults can stretch their food dollar with Double Up and to provide nutrition education. There are three types of opportunities available:

• Double Up outreach volunteers will connect with shoppers and explain how the program works.
• Nutrition educators will introduce shoppers to healthy, affordable food choices available at their local store.
• Lead volunteers will collaborate with community partners to coordinate a volunteer network to grow Double Up’s impact.

 Those interested in volunteering should contact Double Up volunteer network coordinator Erin Allen at erallen@aarp.org.

 “Moving Double Up into groceries across the state means we will reach more low-income families and help more Michigan farmers sell more produce to their neighbors,” said Oran B. Hesterman Fair Food Network’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to join with AARP Foundation to expand the reach of this program and better serve older adults throughout Michigan.”