Healthiest State Initiative's Double Up Food Bucks Program Now Accepted at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market

The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market is pleased to be a part of the Double Up Food Bucks program, a healthy food incentive program that helps low income families eat more healthy food and support local farmers. A program of Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, Double Up matches the value of federal nutrition benefits spent at participating farmers’ markets, helping people bring home healthier, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

“We are excited to see Double Up Food Bucks expanding to the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market," says Lojean Petersen, Manager of the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market. "With over 100 vendors, The Market provides a great variety of products for everyone looking to buy local, including our Double Up families."

The Double Up Food Bucks program saw substantial growth in sales across Iowa in 2019. Customers participating in the healthy food incentive program redeemed a total of $132,430 to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at 34 different locations.

Here’s how Double Up works: Double Up matches the value of SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) purchases made at participating sites with additional dollars to spend on fresh, locally grown produce. For instance, a family that spends $10 in SNAP benefits at a participating farmers market receives an additional $10 in Double Up Food Bucks to purchase Iowa grown fruits and vegetables. 

To use your SNAP EBT at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market, come to the Information Tent in front of American Country on Main Street, there you can use your SNAP EBT and receive your DUFB dollars.

The wins are three-fold: low-income families eat more healthy food, local farmers gain new customers, and more food dollars stay in the local economy. Each has a ripple effect of benefits.
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Ames is one of the few places in Iowa where they have 2 locations participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program, Wheatsfield Co-op also participates as well as the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market. The Double Up Food Bucks can be used at either location.