Double Up Bucks program announced at Falls Tops

Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·3 min read

Oct. 16—Representatives from the Field & Fork Network on Friday joined state officials and Tops Friendly Market staffers in celebrating a pilot program that is allowing shoppers at the super market's store on Portage Road in Niagara Falls to use "double up" their federal assistance food bucks when they purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

Double Up Food Bucks, a statewide program administered by Field & Fork Network, provides a dollar-for-dollar match on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits purchases, up to $20 per day, that can be used to purchase local fresh fruits and vegetables. The program is a free resource for anyone receiving SNAP benefits, that increases purchasing power by doubling their benefits.

For the past month at the Tops on Portage Road and the grocery store chain's location on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, SNAP users have been able to receive $1-for-$1 matches on produce purchases, up to $5 per day.

For those who are interested in participating in the program, this is how Double Up Food Bucks NY works:

—SNAP recipients simply shop for fresh produce at the participating Tops Friendly Markets locations;

—When they use their EBT card to pay for eligible produce items, the Double Up Food Bucks program automatically matches their purchase dollar-for-dollar, up to $5 dollars;

—A coupon is printed at check-out that can be used on a future visit, encouraging repeated engagement with the program;

—No registration or additional steps are necessary, making the process seamless and removing any potential barriers to participation.

The pilot program at the Portage Road Tops was made possible by a partnership with the National Grocers Association Foundation and shopper intelligence leader Catalina, which delivers personalized content and incentives in real-time to shoppers based on their purchases tied to their EBT card through Tops' in-store media network. The automated solution allows Double Up to distribute the incentive more equitably and removes the registration process, which can be a significant barrier to program participation.

"Working with Tops Friendly Markets to pilot the Double Up Food Bucks program has been a priority for our organization for several years. We worked with Tops to identify the store locations with the highest SNAP usage," said Lisa French, co-founder and executive director of the Field & Fork Network. "Our goal is to enhance food access, promote healthier eating habits, and support local farmers in the process. By providing a dollar-for-dollar match on produce purchases, we aim to empower individuals and families to make nutritious choices without financial constraints."

Food & Fork Network representatives joined state Minority Leader Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, and state Assemblyman Angelo Morinello, R-Niagara Falls, on a tour of the Tops market in the Falls on Friday.

Officials noted the lack of access to fresh, nutritious food options has adverse effects on the overall health and well-being of individuals and families.

"Thanks to the Double Up Food Bucks program, now Niagara Falls residents can receive a dollar-for-dollar match on fruit and vegetable purchases at the grocery store," Morinello added. "That means much more healthy food for the family. I would like to thank Tops Friendly Markets and the Field & Fork Network for their outstanding teamwork to bring this program to our community."

For more information about the Double Up Food Bucks program, visit www.doubleupnys.com or follow the program on social media @DoubleUpNYS.