Double Up Food Bucks program makes changes as SNAP pauses in November

A program that doubles fruit and vegetable purchases utilizing meals help advantages, as much as $20 a day, has lifted that cap amid the looming pause of a federal program.

The Truthful Meals Community’s Double Up Meals Bucks program helps households within the Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP) buy extra contemporary produce at greater than 230 collaborating grocery shops and farmers markets in Michigan. This week, the nationwide nonprofit introduced adjustments, efficient via the top of the 12 months, in response to information that SNAP could be shut down as a result of federal authorities shutdown.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture has directed the Michigan Division of Well being and Human Companies (MDHHS) to droop November SNAP advantages till additional discover. About 1.4 million Michiganders receive SNAP benefits. A banner on the federal ministry’s web site reads: “The underside line is that the effectively has dried up. Presently, no advantages shall be supplied on November 1.”

Extra: Michigan households and meals banks are bracing for a looming SNAP pause

“Double Up works as a result of SNAP works. When SNAP is disrupted, households really feel it instantly – and so do the native grocers and farmers who serve them,” stated Kate Krauss, CEO of Truthful Meals Community, in a press launch. “That is why we’re performing shortly to ease the burden, develop entry to wholesome meals, and assist the neighborhood meals retailers who preserve contemporary produce on the cabinets and native cash in circulation. That is what we’re constructed to do: step up with sensible, community-focused options when it issues most.”

Listed here are the adjustments to the Double Up Meals Bucks program, that are efficient instantly and can final via December 31:

• The Truthful Meals Community has lifted the 90-day restrict for patrons to make use of their Double Up Meals Bucks, which means there is no such thing as a expiration date.
• This system additionally eliminated the every day incomes restrict of $20 per day. Beforehand, prospects might buy contemporary fruit and veggies at collaborating areas, for as much as $20 per day, and get matched greenback for greenback to double their buying energy. Now the match restrict is limitless.
• Customers can now use their Double Up Bucks to buy frozen fruit and veggies with out added sugar, salt and oil.

If households and people have SNAP advantages on their Digital Profit Switch (EBT) card, they’ll nonetheless use them. according to MDHHS. That additionally means consumers can nonetheless earn and spend their Double Up Bucks on product purchases. Nevertheless, in the event that they now not have advantages, they will be unable to earn Double Up Bucks via this system till SNAP resumes. Customers can nonetheless spend any remaining Double Up Meals Bucks.

The Truthful Meals Community can be introducing a brand new provide for the month of November known as “Double Up Bonus Bucks,” a profit that requires no SNAP purchases. The nonprofit is predicted to announce additional particulars this week.

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Contact reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.