What is Double Up Food Bucks?
With Double Up Food Bucks Colorado, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food assistance) and Summer EBT will receive a dollar-for-dollar match in vouchers for their SNAP purchases. These vouchers can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, dried beans, or food-producing seeds or plants at our participating locations.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work?
Double Up Food Bucks is a statewide program, and we have over 90 locations! The program varies slightly by location, so make sure to watch our videos to understand how it works at a location near you.
What can customers buy with Double Up Food Bucks versus SNAP/Food Assistance Benefits?
Customers can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, dried beans, or food-producing seeds or plants with their Double Up Food Bucks. However, SNAP/food assistance dollars can be used to buy any edible food item, except for hot and ready items. Here is a quick guide to understand the difference in what each benefit can cover.
What if my SNAP (food assistance) benefits are expired?
Double Up Food Bucks may only be earned using SNAP or Summer EBT benefits. You may apply for or update your public assistance by contacting the Colorado Department of Human Services at 1-800-536-5298 Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on holidays) or by visiting www.Colorado.gov/PEAK.
What if I don’t qualify for SNAP (food assistance)?
We hope you’ll enjoy shopping at your local general markets even if you don’t qualify for SNAP. If you have questions about if you qualify or how to enroll, please contact the Colorado Department of Human Services at 1-800-536-5298 Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on holidays) or by visiting www.Colorado.gov/PEAK. You can also call the Food Resource Hotline at 1-855-855-4626 to get referrals to food pantries and free meal sites in your area.
How do I cook the fresh fruits and vegetables that I buy?
There are many wonderful resources to help you learn how to cook the fresh produce you’ve purchased. While you’re at the market, consider asking the vendor their favorite way to prepare them. You can also find resources on coloradoproduce.org and recipes on our website.
What types of produce can I find and when are certain foods in season?
The Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association can help you understand what’s in season and the types of foods you may find at Colorado markets and retailers. View the produce calendar for a list of “in season” items and simply click on each food for more information, nutrition facts, and recipes!
Do the vouchers expire?
Yes. While some markets are available year-round, many markets and food box programs end on October 31st. Participants should make sure to ask market staff when they close for the season, or for how long they will have Colorado-grown produce in stock and make sure to use their Double Up Food Bucks before the end of the season. Participants should check the expiration date on the back of their Double Up vouchers before use. Save A Lot receipt vouchers expire 60 days from issuance, City of Boulder Whole Foods vouchers expire quarterly, and Jefferson County Safeway digital coupons reset each month.
How do I know which stores or market vendors accept Double Up Food Bucks?
Please visit our Where It’s At section for a map of participating markets and retailers, or text your zip code to 1-844-383-2399 for a location near you! Participating partners include farmers markets and farmstands, small retailers, and select grocery stores.
Can I use my Double Up Food Bucks at any participating market?
SNAP recipients can use Double Up Food Bucks vouchers at any farmers market, farmstand, small retailer, or grocery store that accepts them, no matter where they were received. Save A Lot receipt vouchers expire 60 days from issuance and may be used at ONLY Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo locations, City of Boulder Whole Foods vouchers expire quarterly and may ONLY be used at Boulder Whole Foods locations, and Jefferson County Safeway digital coupons reset each month and may ONLY be used at Jefferson County Safeway stores.
Why is it only for fruits and vegetables?
Double Up Food Bucks is a program with multiple goals: the first is to help families access more fresh, healthy foods, and the second is to support local farmers. By focusing Double Up primarily on fresh produce, the program helps local farmers boost their incomes, which is great for our economy and ensures families will have access to fresh, high-quality produce. Customers can still use regular SNAP (food assistance) benefits for other food items, like meats, cheeses, and fresh breads.
Are fruits and vegetables more expensive at farmers markets than at my local store?
Farmers market prices compare well with the supermarket produce aisle! Several recent studies have found that farmers market prices are competitive with regular supermarket prices. Some prices are slightly higher, some are slightly lower, but they are in the same range. Make sure to shop for what is in season and look around the farmers market before deciding what to buy. Double Up Food Bucks is also available in many locations other than farmers markets.
Why isn’t it at a grocery store or farmers market near me?
If you know of a retailer that already accepts SNAP and would be a great Double Up Food Bucks partner, we’d love to have them fill out our interest form. For a complete list of markets and food stores that accept SNAP or other food assistance programs, visit the SNAP Retailer Locator page on USDA’s website.
What is the SNAP program?
It is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program provides food benefits and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households.
Those who qualify for SNAP include persons who may meet one of the following options:
- Work for low wages
- Are unemployed or work part-time
- Receive TANF, SSI or other assistance payments
- Are elderly or disabled and live on a small income
- Are children
- Adults ages 18 to 49 who have no children in their home (known as ABAWDs, able-bodied adults without dependents)
Individuals, couples and families may qualify if their income is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
What is Double Up Food Bucks?
With Double Up Food Bucks Colorado, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food assistance) will receive vouchers for up to an additional $20 in Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables. When customers use the benefits on their EBT card at participating general markets or select retailers, those food benefits will be matched dollar for dollar to be put toward Colorado-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per visit.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work?
Double Up Food Bucks is available in a variety of locations. These short videos guide you through a Double Up purchase.
How is the Double Up Food Bucks program funded?
LiveWell Colorado received a Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant from the USDA in 2016 to launch the program. Continued support from the USDA and contributions from several Colorado-based foundations and individuals has allowed Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) to grow dramatically. DUFB is improving the lives of low income Coloradans in big cities and small towns all over our state. Please consider making a gift to support DUFB. Your contribution goes a long way toward getting healthy food to low-income families while also supporting Colorado farmers and the local economy.
Do farmers get paid for fruits and vegetables purchased with Double Up vouchers?
Farmers are reimbursed for the fruits and vegetables purchased with Double Up vouchers. They are not paid to participate in the program. Since 2016, Double Up has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Colorado’s economy.
I’d like to start accepting Double Up Food Bucks. How do I sign up?
Farmers who would like to start accepting Double Up Food Bucks can connect with one of our participating markets or retailers listed on our locations page. Each year, we have around 100 Double Up locations throughout Colorado. If you would like to accept Double Up Food Bucks independent of a market or retailer, start with getting SNAP authorized at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-apply and email doubleup@nourishcolorado.org to be added to our market interest list.
Am I eligible to become a Double Up Food Bucks vendor?
Double Up Food Bucks is a program focused on increasing access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks vendors must sell fresh fruits, vegetables, or fresh cut herbs grown in the state of Colorado to take this currency.
I grow food close to the Colorado border and sell at a participating market. Can I accept Double Up Food Bucks?
Yes! Double Up Food Bucks is intended to support Colorado’s economy, and we know you contribute to that economy! If you grow close to the border and are a grower-only/sell-what-you-grow vendor, contact your market manager or one of your local retailers to discuss participation in Double Up Food Bucks Colorado!
What can customers buy with Double Up Food Bucks versus SNAP/Food Assistance Benefits?
Customers can buy fresh, Colorado grown fruits and vegetables with their Double Up Food Bucks. However, SNAP/food assistance dollars can be used to buy any edible food item, except for hot and ready items.
Why can customers only buy Colorado-Grown Fruits and Vegetables with Double Up Food Bucks?
Double Up Food Bucks is a program with multiple goals: First is to help families access more fresh, healthy foods, and second is to support local farmers. By restricting Double Up to Colorado-grown produce, the program helps local farmers boost their incomes, which is great for our economy, and ensures families will have access to fresh, high-quality produce. Customers can still use regular SNAP (food assistance) benefits for other food items, like meats, cheeses, and fresh breads.
How can we increase the number of customers participating in the program?
Double Up has a variety of downloadable outreach materials available in English and Spanish. You can order these materials through our website at no cost. Community Food Advocates (CFA) are another resource to help with outreach. Email us at doubleup@nourishcolorado.org to find out if a CFA is working in your community.
How can I make sure SNAP participants feel welcome at my market?
- SNAP Authorized Market Responsibilities
- Step by Step Instructions for Online Application
- Attracting SNAP Customers to Your Farmers Markets
- SNAP to Skills (S2S) is a project of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that is designed to provide States the technical assistance, tools and resources they need to build more effective and job-driven SNAP E&T programs.
Other Resources
- SNAP in Farmers Markets, presentation by Zora Cobb: PPT
- Farmers Market EBT presentation by Lauren Bell: PPT
- Overview of Boulder County Harvest Bucks Program PPT
- Using SNAP in Farmers Markets PPT
- Understanding the SNAP Program (pdf) from FoodPolicyNetworks.org and John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
- Improving Access to Local Foods, a Market Manager Checklist
- Fostering a Culture of Inclusivity at Your Market
- Ten Tips for Making Your Farmers Market SNAP Shopper Friendly
What is the SNAP program?
It is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Households with a gross monthly income at or below 130 percent of the poverty line are generally eligible for SNAP. The program provides food benefits and education on food preparation and nutrition to low-income households.
What is Double Up Food Bucks?
With Double Up Food Bucks Colorado, participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food assistance) will receive vouchers for up to an additional $20 in Colorado-grown fruits and vegetables. When customers use the benefits on their EBT card at participating general markets or select retailers, those food benefits will be matched dollar for dollar to be put toward Colorado-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per visit.
How does Double Up Food Bucks work?
Double Up Food Bucks is available in a variety of locations. These short videos guide you through your purchase.
How is the Double Up Food Bucks program funded?
Nourish Colorado received a Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant from the USDA in 2016 to launch the program. Continued support from the USDA and contributions from several Colorado-based foundations and individuals has allowed Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) to grow dramatically. DUFB is improving the lives of low income Coloradans in big cities and small towns all over our state. Please consider making a gift to support DUFB. Your contribution goes a long way toward getting healthy food to low-income families while also supporting Colorado farmers and the local economy.
What can customers buy with Double Up Food Bucks versus SNAP/Food Assistance Benefits?
Customers can buy fresh, Colorado grown fruits and vegetables with their Double Up Food Bucks. However, SNAP/food assistance dollars can be used to buy any edible food item, except for hot and ready items.
Why can customers only buy Colorado-Grown Fruits and Vegetables with Double Up Food Bucks?
Double Up Food Bucks is a program with multiple goals: First is to help families access more fresh, healthy foods, and second is to support local farmers. By restricting Double Up to Colorado-grown produce, the program helps local farmers boost their incomes, which is great for our economy, and ensures families will have access to fresh, high-quality produce. Customers can still use regular SNAP (food assistance) benefits for other food items, like meats, cheeses, and fresh breads.
How do I know which stores or market vendors accept Double Up Food Bucks?
Please visit www.DoubleUpColorado.org/where-its-at/ for a list of participating markets and retailers. Look for the “Double Up Food Bucks Accepted Here” signs displayed at food stores, market stalls, or ask vendors before making a purchase. Participating partners include general markets, small retailers, and weekly food box programs at over 85 locations.
How can I get a Double Up market in my community?
While we will not be expanding the Double Up program until 2019, call us at 720.573.3617 or email doubleup@nourishcolorado.org to let us know you want Double Up in your area! In the meantime, if you have identified a market for the Double Up program, make sure the market is SNAP-authorized.
How can we increase the number of customers participating in the program?
Double Up has a variety of downloadable outreach materials available in English and Spanish. You can order these materials through our website at no cost. Community Food Advocates (CFA) are another resource to help with outreach. Email us at doubleup@livewellcolorado.org to find out if a CFA is working in your community.
