The “Double Bucks” Program is an opportunity for SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) participants to DOUBLE their SNAP dollars spent up to $20 a day at Monroe Farmers Market.  This program allows low-income households an opportunity to provide high-quality nutritious food for their families on limited budgets.  The “Double Bucks” program is an incentive to help increase access and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting our local farmers.  In Monroe County, only 8% of residents reported eating the recommended daily allowance of 5 fruits/vegetables a day of which the United Way of Monroe County is hoping to positively impact with this initiative. The advantages of the “Double Bucks” Program are three-fold: SNAP participants have access to high-quality nutritious food, local farmers gain new customers, and more dollars stay within our local economy.

“Healthy food is good medicine that ALL people need,” stated Jennifer Strauch who is leading the efforts behind our local Hunger Coalition. “When we work together, we have the ability to impact lives in a meaningful way and the “Double Bucks” Program is just one part of our larger initiative for Fresh Change in our community”

Participation in the “Double Bucks” program is simple.  Visit Monroe Farmers Market Information Table with your SNAP Card and ID to redeem your SNAP benefits that will automatically be doubled up to $20 per day. To receive help or more information about the SNAP program; contact Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator Kathryn Hoffman, of Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, at 484-287-4015 ext. 3306.