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Bridge Card Users Can Double Their Money At Farmer's Markets

 

Michigan Bridge Card holders can double the money they can spend on fresh produce at 144 farmer's markets across the state.

The Double Up Food Bucks program allows Michigan food stamp recipients to use their Bridge Card at farmer's markets and have the money matched.

So someone who spends $10 of their SNAP benefits on Michigan asparagus, cherries and blueberries will get $10 more to spend on more fruits and veggies.

Joe Lesausky is with the Michigan Farmer’s Market Association. “With the Double Up Food Buck program that gives consumers a better chance to fill their pantries with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables," Lesauskey said. "So they don’t have to make as many of those tough choices of ‘am I just buying cereal this week or we can buy some of these items and I can get fruit and vegetables as well.’”

Double Up Food Bucks is funded through private donors and a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It’s  not available at every farmer's market, but any market that accepts Bridge Cards can apply for the program. The markets in Three Rivers and Benton Harbor are among those that do.