The Chequamegon Food Co-op has partnered with Hunger Task Force to provide over $26,000 in savings on fresh produce for low-income households since January. The program, Produce Double Dollars, started in January of this year to help provide healthy food to those who may not always be able afford high-quality fresh produce. With over 2,700 transactions since starting, the program has been very successful, and we are happy to see new faces in our doors to get fresh, organic, and local produce. The program only has room to grow, so spread the word!
Customer, Holly Tourdot, told us why this program is so important to her, and how it has already impacted her health positively:
“Produce Double Dollars has allowed me to change my diet to include more fresh vegetables. I really appreciate being able to buy more local produce and use less plastic packaging. I believe voting with my dollar is at least as important as voting in elections. I want to support local growers of organic produce. As a direct result of including more fresh produce in my meals, I have lowered my blood sugar.”
Produce Double Dollars allows households that are on FoodShare WI (also known as EBT, foodstamps, SNAP) to get twice as much produce. Each dollar spent on fruits and vegetables is matched. Customers just have to show their EBT card to the cashier, and the cashier will apply a 50% discount to all produce purchased. Households can get the discount whether they are using the EBT card to pay for their purchase or not. Customers must tell the cashier before they pay to receive the discount.