SNAP Recipients Double Up on Purchases at Some Farmers Markets, Grocers

48
 
News Release
 
For Immediate Release: 6/21/2019
Share
No

CONTACT
Lee Rettig, Communications and Legislative Services, 402-471-8287; lee.rettig@nebraska.gov

 

Lincoln – A partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), University of Nebraska Extension and some Nebraska producers and grocery stores allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to get more healthy fruits and vegetables for their money. The Double Up Food Bucks program provides up to $20 a day in matching dollars spent on select produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores in Lincoln and Omaha.

“We know the importance of quality, fresh food when it comes to helping people live better lives," said Karen Heng, Deputy Director of DHHS's Division of Children and Family Services, which administers the SNAP program. “Double Up is the first statewide incentive program to be rolled out in Nebraska with a uniform design, central administration and local implementation and is modeled after similar programs that have proven to be successful in rural, urban and suburban communities, nationwide."

The Double Up program began in Nebraska at two farmers markets, one mobile market and one grocery store in 2017 and has benefited more than 700 low-income families since then.

Double Up Food Bucks locations include:

Organization City AddressTimeDates
Community Crops Veggie Van LincolnVariousVariousJune–Sept.

F Street Neighborhood Farmers Market

 

Lincoln1302 F StreetTues. 4:30–7pmJune 11–Aug. 27

Fallbrook Farmers Market

 

Lincoln 600 Fallbrook Ave.Thur. 4-7pmJune 6–Aug. 1
Leon's Gourmet Grocer Lincoln 2200 Winthrop Rd.

Daily 8am–9pm

Sun. 9am–6:30pm

Year round

Open Harvest Co-op Grocery

 

Lincoln 1618 South St. Daily 8am–9pm Year round

Sunday Farmers Market at College View

 

Lincoln48th & PrescottSun. 10am—2pmApril 28–Oct. 27

Omaha Farmers Market – Aksarben Village

 

Omaha67th & Center St. Sun. 9am–1pmMay 5–Oct. 13

Omaha Farmer's Market – Old Market

 

Omaha11th & Jackson St.Sat. 8am–12:30pmMay 4–Oct. 12

No More Empty Pots Community Harvest

 

Omaha8501 N. 30th St.Daily 4–6pmYear round
Las Nena's Zamora Market Omaha 4907 S. 24th St. Daily 8am–8pmYear round

 

“Farmers markets are a great place to buy the fresh food everyone needs," said Heng. “Fresh fruits and vegetables are good nutrition, good nutrition leads to better health and better health leads to a better life."

To learn more about farmers markets and other fresh food sources in Nebraska, download the University of Nebraska Local Food Guide.

(photo)

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2019

CONTACT
Lee Rettig, Communications and Legislative Services, 402-471-8287;
lee.rettig@nebraska.gov

 

 

 

SNAP Recipients Double Up on Purchases at Some Farmers Markets, Grocers

Lincoln – A partnership between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), University of Nebraska Extension and some Nebraska producers and grocery stores allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to get more healthy fruits and vegetables for their money. The Double Up Food Bucks program provides up to $20 a day in matching dollars spent on select produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores in Lincoln and Omaha.

 

“We know the importance of quality, fresh food when it comes to helping people live better lives,” said Karen Heng, Deputy Director of DHHS’s Division of Children and Family Services, which administers the SNAP program. “Double Up is the first statewide incentive program to be rolled out in Nebraska with a uniform design, central administration and local implementation and is modeled after similar programs that have proven to be successful in rural, urban and suburban communities, nationwide.”

 

The Double Up program began in Nebraska at two farmers markets, one mobile market and one grocery store in 2017 and has benefited more than 700 low-income families since then.

Go to
All News Releases