Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have joined the Double Up Food Bucks program, a nutrition incentive program that helps low-income families eat more healthy food and supports local farmers.
Under Double Up, people who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as food stamps) can swipe their EBT cards at select farmers markets to buy SNAP tokens, and receive a matching number of Double Up Food Bucks coupons (up to $20 per day). They may use the SNAP tokens to buy any SNAP eligible items at the market, and use the Double Up Food Bucks coupons for any fresh fruits and vegetables. The Double Up coupons can be used any time before May 2018.
The Nebraska Double Up Food Bucks program is funded by Children's Hospital and Medical Center, and CHI Health for a total of over $40,000. The pilot program will run at Old Cheney Road Farmers Market, Fallbrook Farmers Market, Community Crops Veggie Van, and Leon's Grocery.
The Double Up program is led by Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Buy Fresh Buy Local, SNAP-Ed, Hunger Free Heartland, and the Fair Food Network. More information will be available soon at http://www.DoubleUpNebraska.org.