SNAP DOUBLE BUCKS
ANNOUNCEMENT:
CONTINGENCY FOR LOSS OF SNAP BENEFITS STARTING SATURDAY, NOV 1st DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN​
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council is partnered with Mecklenburg County Public Health Department to provide financial assistance to SNAP users who shop at farmers markets by doubling their SNAP spend up to $50 each market visit.
This is the fourth year of the program with an expansion in participating farmers markets and now farmstands.
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What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also called Food and Nutrition Services) provides low income residents with money to purchase certain foods and products. More information about the program and how to enroll is here
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What is SNAP Double Bucks?
SNAP users can get tokens for purchases at farmers markets that will let them double their SNAP spending at the markets or receive 50% off SNAP purchases at participating farms ((up to $50 limit). SNAP users do not need to enroll for Double Bucks – just bring your EBT card to participating markets or farmstands.​​​
How does it work?
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There is no registration required to participate in the program.
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Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is automatically eligible.
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This program is only applicable to SNAP-eligible food purchases.
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The double match or discount applies once per market or farm visit day.
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For farmers market visits:
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Customer visits the farmers market welcome table to swipe their SNAP/EBT card at the SNAP/EBT machine for how much they would like to spend during their market visit.
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Customer receives wooden tokens to shop with at SNAP-qualified vendors equal to double the amount they spent on their EBT card up to $50 per market day. If the spend is greater than $50, $50 is still matched. eg. spend $40, receive $80 | spend $150 receive $200
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Customer then buys any SNAP-approved foods using the tokens similar to a cash transaction however no change can be given.
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Customers can take home any tokens they do not spend and use them on a different market day. Tokens do not expire.
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Tokens are market-specific and not transferrable between markets.​​​​​​​​
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For farmstand visits:
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Customer visits the farmstand and selects food items for purchase.
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At checkout, the cashier applies a 50% discount to the SNAP-eligible foods purchase total, up to $50. If the purchase is greater than $100, $50 is discounted. eg. purchase $40, pay $20 | purchase $120, pay $70​​​​​​​​
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What can you buy?
All SNAP-eligible foods - click HERE for more information. SNAP rules are mandated by the USDA.
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fruits
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vegetables
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meat, poultry, fish
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dairy products
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breads and cereals
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staple pantry items eg honey, peanut butter, flour, etc
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other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
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seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
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Vitamins, medicines, supplements, ready-to-eat hot foods, live animals and non-food items CANNOT be purchased with SNAP.​
Participating Markets & Farms
* please click each market link for their websites with most current operating hours and information
SNAP Double Bucks Impacts
Double Bucks has been shown to increase SNAP usage on fresh and healthy food through:
• Increased number of farmers markets and farms accepting SNAP
• Improved SNAP awareness and enrollment
• Greater SNAP utilization at markets and farms
Studies show that SNAP Double Bucks can increase purchases of fruits and vegetables, and that SNAP alone improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare costs.
Supporting farmers markets and farms also strengthens our local food economy and supports small businesses:
• Every Double Bucks dollar is going into the hand of a local farmer
• Traffic increases and encourages overall spending
SNAP DOUBLE BUCKS CONTINGENCY - SNAP BENEFIT LOSS STARTING SAT, NOV 1
*UPDATED*
Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits will pause beginning Saturday, November 1.
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To help bridge this gap, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Food Policy Council, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Public Health, is offering temporary contingency support through the SNAP Double Bucks Program.
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Starting Saturday, November 1, Mecklenburg County SNAP customers can receive $50 in SNAP tokens to shop for fresh produce and SNAP-eligible food items at participating winter farmers markets.
This program is a short-term, community support effort to help families maintain access to fresh, healthy food during the federal benefits pause. Limited funding is available, and SNAP recipients will receive this one-time incentive on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Access:
No Registration is Required.
Present your SNAP/EBT card and a photo identification at the SNAP table or Welcome booth at participating markets (listed below).
Eligibility Requirements:
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Must present an active SNAP/EBT card at a participating market
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Must reside in Mecklenburg County
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Incentive can only be received once per household
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Tokens must be used on SNAP-eligible food items
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Tokens are market-specific and cannot be redeemed at other markets
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