Double Up Food Bucks Awarded Grant by USDA

Edited release
11/01/24

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s Double Up Food Bucks Program has been awarded over $4.8 million  as part of a nutrition Incentive Program grant, which aims to tackle food and nutrition insecurity in underserved communities, as well as support healthy diets by providing access to fruits and vegetables for eligible families.

According to a release from the State, the grant will help the Double Up Food Bucks program enhance the use of new technologies in 97 grocery stores, farm stands, farmers markets and co-ops across Iowa. The money will also be used to engage independent grocers for the adoption of the Double Up Food Bucks program, and increase customer awareness and utilization through a “food navigator” outreach program.

SNAP users are automatically eligible for Double Up Food Bucks. The program empowers SNAP recipients to maintain a healthy diet and to put more food on the table for themselves and their families. For every dollar spent on produce, another dollar is matched in Double Up Food Bucks, up to ten dollars per day.

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and the Double Up Food Bucks Program were one of fourteen recipients from across the country to receive Nutrition Incentive funding totaling $36.3 million.