Support Nutritional Access for New Yorkers

Unfortunately, too many New Yorkers don’t have access to healthy, locally-grown nutritional options. Making healthy food affordable and accessible is at the core of Catskill Mountainkeeper’s farmers’ market in Liberty, NY, and financial support mechanisms like the Double Up Food Bucks Program play a huge role in making this goal possible. This program allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to receive dollar-for-dollar matching when they purchase fruits and vegetables.

Last year, SNAP benefits usage at the Liberty Farmers’ Market was up by 87%, and the Double Up Food Bucks Program matched over $1,000 spent by SNAP ...

Unfortunately, too many New Yorkers don’t have access to healthy, locally-grown nutritional options. Making healthy food affordable and accessible is at the core of Catskill Mountainkeeper’s farmers’ market in Liberty, NY, and financial support mechanisms like the Double Up Food Bucks Program play a huge role in making this goal possible. This program allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to receive dollar-for-dollar matching when they purchase fruits and vegetables.

Last year, SNAP benefits usage at the Liberty Farmers’ Market was up by 87%, and the Double Up Food Bucks Program matched over $1,000 spent by SNAP participants. It’s clear that this program is making a positive impact for New Yorkers in need of support. Food insecurity is on the rise, and we need to let our state legislators know that the Double Up Food Bucks program works and must continue to receive funding.

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Email your Local Representative

Tell your local legislators to support healthy communities in New York State by continuing to fund the Double Up Food Bucks program, which makes fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables more affordable for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.

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Subject:

Last year, the Double Up Food Bucks program received $2 Million in funding in the NYS Budget. As a constituent and Catskill Mountainkeeper supporter, I am proud of the work New York has done to keep residents healthy and support this program. In keeping with this great work, I hope there will be a continued focus on public health programs, specifically those that can fight food and nutrition insecurity.

This year we must invest $4 Million in the state budget to continue to support and grow the reach of the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Double Up operates under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in that it allows SNAP participants to access more fruits and vegetables, ensuring that families will have greater access to healthier foods and local economies will be stronger.

Double Up doubles the value of SNAP benefits spent at participating farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands, small retailers and grocery stores.  When directed at low-income populations, SNAP incentives are associated with expanded physical access to healthy foods.

I ask you to support funding the program at $4 million annually. This will continue to sustain and expand the Double Up Food Bucks program across more communities in New York. The proposed $4 million in state funding will be leveraged to bring in an additional $4 million in federal funding. If we don’t fund the program at this level, we will leave federal dollars on the table that could help thousands of New Yorkers overcome hunger and access healthier foods.

Now more than ever, New York needs Double Up. Program usage rates in communities with the program reflect the alarming increase in food insecurity rates thanks to the pandemic. The program has shown that matching SNAP benefits with incentives for locally and regionally grown fruits and vegetables is a cost-effective way to simultaneously reduce hunger, improve dietary health, and stimulate local food economies.

Let’s invest in the health of New York State by funding this program, which serves as a vital safety net to increase nutrition security for individuals and families to purchase healthy food.

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