Enjoy more fresh, Oregon-grown produce with SNAP Double Up Food Bucks

Adapted from the Fair Food Network’s national model, Oregon Double Up Food Bucks makes it easy for low-income Oregonians to eat more fruits and vegetables while supporting family farmers and local economies. Double Up is Oregon’s first statewide incentive program, designed to be convenient for shoppers. The program doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (sometimes called “SNAP” or “food stamps”) benefits at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farms so shoppers can bring home more fresh produce. Double Up is currently offered at over 85 farmers market locations, 35 grocery stores and more than 40 CSA farms across the state — with new locations joining the program each year.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government-funded program for purchasing food when income is low. Benefits are loaded onto what is called a SNAP EBT card, some also refer to it as the “Oregon Trail Card”. The card acts the same as a debit card, but the money can only be spent on food products.

​​Every person’s EBT card has a different amount of money attached to it based upon their personal income and family situation — up to $234 each month for a single-person household or $782 for a family of four. You will receive details when your application is approved. Each month you are enrolled in the SNAP program, this amount will be added to your card and can be used to purchase food. Any unused funds are available for up to one year from the date they’re added to your card.

In addition, many stores and farmers markets participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program for SNAP recipients, which matches up to $20 each day toward locally grown fruits and vegetables. When SNAP card holders shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at participating stores, farmers markets, and food co-ops they earn $1 in Double Up for every $1 in SNAP they spend. Click here for a map of participating stores, searchable by zip code.

At grocery stores Double Up can be used to purchase:

• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

• Fresh Herbs

• Mushrooms

• Vegetable, Herb or Fruit Plant Starts

• Vegetable, Herb or Fruit Plant Seeds

At farmers markets Double Up can be used for:

• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

• Fresh Herbs

• Frozen and Dried Fruits & Vegetables

• Mushrooms

• Beans

• Vegetable, Herb or Fruit Plant Starts

• Vegetable, Herb or Fruit Plant Seeds

Double Up can’t be used for:

• Any fruit or vegetable product with added salt, sugar, fat, or oil

• Ex. Canned fruits or vegetables, bagged salad kits with dressing, fruit cups or juices with added sugar

Double Up Food Bucks is available to all SNAP users, regardless of where your card is from. For example, customers with a Washington SNAP card can apply Double Up benefits at an Oregon-based grocery store or farmer’s market. Learn more about Double Up Food Bucks here.

Note that the amount of core SNAP funds you receive is based on your income and the number of people in your household — the people you share your food purchases with. But everyone is eligible for the maximum Double Up match, based on the location you’re shopping at. Check out our resource page for additional information on SNAP eligibility guidelines.

Double Up Food Bucks is made possible through a partnership between Oregon Food Bank, Farmers Market Fund, Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition, and the Oregon Farmers Markets Association. Together we support Double Up at over 85 farmers market locations, 35 grocery stores and more than 40 farms across the state.

Our individual, foundation and community sponsors have allowed us to grow into a thriving statewide organization serving thousands of low-income community members with nutritious food from local farmers and food producers. Double Up is also supported by the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Grant Program number 2020-70030-33183 / 1024374 and 2022-70415-38570 / 1029309 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — as well as the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Covid Relief & Response Grant Program number 2021-70034-35369 / 1027071.

You can use Double Up dollars when purchasing eligible items at participating grocers across the state. Just bring your SNAP EBT card with you to a participating grocery store and shop for your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables. For every $1 in SNAP you spend, you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per transaction. At grocery stores, you may receive your Double Up through a coupon, store card, or automatic discount. Ask a cashier or staff member at a participating store to learn exactly how to get Double Up at that location. Additional details on how to use Double Up at a grocery store are available on the Double Up Food Bucks website.

You can use Double Up dollars when purchasing eligible items at participating farmers markets across the state. Just bring your SNAP EBT card with you to a participating farmers market and visit the information booth before you begin to shop. For every $1 in SNAP you spend, you will get $1 of Double Up Food Bucks to spend on more fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $20 per transaction. For example: if you spend $20 in SNAP benefits, you’ll get an extra $20 free that you can use to buy more produce.

At most farmers markets, Double Up tokens/coupons are worth $2 each, so purchasing an even dollar figure with SNAP benefits ensures you can get the full match. For example: if you use $5 in SNAP on your purchase, you’ll only get $4 in Double Up; but if you ask for $6 in SNAP, you’ll get the full $6 in Double Up.

The total daily Double Up match varies based on the farmers market location. Check out the full list of participating grocery stores, farmers markets and CSAs to find out the daily match limit where you’re shopping. Additional details on how to use Double Up at a farmers market are available on the Double Up Food Bucks website.

CSA programs are like a magazine subscription, but for food! Every week your farmer will deliver a variety of fresh, nutritious foods to convenient locations in your neighborhood. When you use SNAP food benefits through your Oregon Trail Card to purchase a CSA/farmshare from a participating farm, Double Up Food Bucks are automatically applied to your payment. There may be a brief form to sign and mail back, but the overall process is simple and easy. Additional details on how to use Double Up for a CSA are available from the Pacific Northwest CSA Association.