Last summer at 54 farmers’ markets throughout Michigan, shoppers using Bridge Cards (EBT/Food Stamps) had the chance to get more fresh fruits and veggies with Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB).  DUFB matches Bridge Card purchases at participating markets with up to $20 in DUFB tokens. These tokens can then be spent on fresh, Michigangrown fruits and vegetables from vendors in participating markets.   DUFB is demonstrating that a monetary incentive can cause a shift in purchasing patterns for customers using federal food assistance benefits – and that shift in purchases directly benefits Michigan’s food producers. Between June and  October 2011, customers used Bridge Cards and DUFB matching tokens to  purchase over $1.2 million worth of fresh, healthy, locally-grown foods from their local farmers’ market vendors. DUFB has ended for the season, but will resume in late spring 2012 at the same 54 market sites that participated in 2011 plus an anticipated 5-20 additional  markets. Any farmers’ market that is equipped to accept Bridge Card/EBT/Food Stamp benefits can apply to  participate in 2012. reference will be given to markets in currently  unrepresented areas and those with the support of a local foundation. For more information and to receive an application form, email nfo@doubleupfoodbucks.org.   Double Up Food Bucks is a project of Fair Food Network, a national nonprofit based in Ann Arbor. DUFB is supported by over 30 private foundations and corporations, including Open Society Foundations and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Additional support comes from the Michigan. Nutrition Network and in-kind contributions from the Michigan Department of Human Services. See www.doubleupfoodbucks.org and www.fairfoodnetwork.org for more information.

For the rest of this article please visit http://www.michiganfood.org/assets/goodfood/docs/MichGoodFood_Newsletter_Dec_2011.pdf