Applications are now open for Michigan farmers markets and other direct marketing sites that are interested in beginning to participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program during the 2016 market season. 

Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) is a program of Fair Food Network (FFN), a national non-profit, pioneering solutions that support farmers, strengthen local economies, and increase access to healthy food -especially in our most underserved communities. Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program makes it easier for low-income Americans to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting family farmers and growing local economies. The Double Up program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries with a one-to-one match to purchase healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables at participating locations.

To qualify to participate in the Double Up program, farmers markets and farmers must be able to accept SNAP benefits- If your market does not yet accept SNAP, MIFMA offers a series of resources to help you get started including an on-site sign up event at theMichigan Farmers Market Conference next Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Visit http://mifma.org/events/accepting-snap-bridge-cards-at-michigan-farmers-markets-webinar-2/ to learn more.

Farmers Markets: 

For the purpose of this application process, Fair Food Network defines a farmers markets as a site where locally grown fruits and vegetables are direct marketed to customers and where site administrators reimburse individual vendors for food assistance sales. Sites that meet this definition should complete an online application at http://msucarrs.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4NrXT7Lg5DG5CF7.  For more information about the program and to preview the questions that will be asked on the online application, view the 2016 Double Up Application for Farmers Markets. Applications must be submitted online. Applications must be submitted by March 14, 2016. Early applications are appreciated.

Direct Marketing Sites including Farm Stands: 
Direct markets sites include Michigan fruit and vegetable farmers who are enthusiastic about the Double Up Food Bucks program and interested in partnering directly with FFN to expand in this new arena. An application for farm businesses or organizations that operate farm stands, food share programs, or CSA farms and do not reimburse individual vendors for food assistance sales is available at https://fairfood.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7OPC7rWKlADESvr. This application is due by March 18, 2016. 

Please contact MIFMA at 517-432-3381 with any questions about applying. 

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