Maximize Your Savings: Double Up Food Bucks Now Available at the Capitol Farmers Market!

LANSING, Mich. — Thousands of people in Michigan struggle to get enough food every day. Currently, more than 1.5 million residents face this challenge. Shocking statistics show that one in six people and one in five children in the state do not have reliable access to meals, according to Feeding America.

This July, Michigan kicks off its first-ever Double Up Food Bucks Awareness Month. This program is designed to help families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) buy healthier food. It offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $20 daily, for fresh fruits and vegetables at over 230 grocery stores and farmers markets across the state.

The Double Up Food Bucks program focuses on local produce. It includes everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to food-producing plants and herbs. Rachel Hoh, director of the program, emphasizes the importance of providing healthy options. She believes everyone deserves access to nutritious food, no matter their income.

“People want to eat healthy, and this program makes that easier,” Hoh said. The initiative is available where people usually shop, so it’s found at 11 farmers markets in the Greater Lansing Area, including East Lansing and Holt.

William King, a user of Double Up Food Bucks, describes it as a lifeline, especially with rising grocery prices. “I used to struggle to walk, but now doctors say my health is great,” he shared. Programs like this play a crucial role in ensuring that families can buy fresh, local produce instead of processed foods.

Mycophile’s Garden is one stand participating in the program. Jessica Phillips, who runs the stand, noted that it opens up new possibilities for shoppers. “It encourages people to buy mushrooms who might not have considered it before,” she explained.

This year, Double Up Food Bucks expanded, adding 21 new locations. Hoh hopes to continue this growth to help even more families access fresh food options. As community resources like this become more vital, they remind us of the importance of supporting local agriculture and improving our eating habits.

For more insight on food accessibility issues, you can read Feeding America’s recent reports on economic impacts on food security here.

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