State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, Sen. George Borrello, Assemblymen Paul Bologna and Angelo Morinello joined representatives from nonprofit Field & Fork Network on Friday at the North Tonawanda City Market to discuss the importance of farmers markets, fresh food, and the ability to stretch SNAP benefits on locally grown produce.
The Double Up Food Bucks NY program, administered by Field & Fork Network, receives $2 million annually from the New York State budget in addition to federal grants and is designed to help extend SNAP/EBT benefits by matching, dollar-for-dollar, the purchase of healthy, locally grown produce. The nutrition incentive program started in Western New York in 2014 and today is accepted at dozens of Farmer’s Markets and grocery stores throughout the region.
“During national Farmers Market Week, I can’t think of a better way to not only recognize the hardworking farmers who bring us fresh food, but highlight an important program that helps bring more healthy food into the kitchens of folks who might not otherwise be able to easily afford it. The Double Up Food Bucks program is a win-win-win for the state, for local farmers, and those who use it — and we’ll continue advocating to double up this particular budget item so it can reach more people in need,” Ortt said.
“National Farmers Market Week is an opportunity to recognize the hardworking farmers who feed our communities and the local markets that connect them directly with residents. Our visits to the Lakewood and North Tonawanda farmers markets highlighted the vital role these markets play in supporting small and mid-sized farms, strengthening local economies, expanding access to fresh, locally grown food and reinforcing our regional food supply chain. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks build on that mission by helping families stretch their grocery budgets while supporting New York farmers. These markets are an important part of our agricultural economy, and we must continue working to ensure they remain strong for the next generation,” said Borrello, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Western New York is fortunate to have hardworking farmers who provide fresh, high-quality food while helping sustain our local economy. Farmers markets create a direct connection between our growers and the families they serve, and programs like Double Up Food Bucks make those healthy, locally grown products more accessible to those who need them most. By investing in local agriculture and supporting initiatives that benefit both farmers and consumers, we’re strengthening our communities and ensuring these important markets continue to thrive for generations to come,” Morinello said.
“Our local farmers work tirelessly to provide fresh, high-quality food for our communities, and our farmers markets help connect them directly with the families they serve,” Bologna said. “Programs like Double Up Food Bucks make it easier for New Yorkers to put healthy, locally grown food on the table while supporting the farmers who are the backbone of our local economy. During National Farmers Market Week, we’re reminded that investing in agriculture means investing in stronger communities, healthier families, and a more resilient future for New York.”
“Twelve years ago, Field & Fork Network launched Double Up Food Bucks NY as a pilot project in seven Western New York farmers markets. We wanted to test a bold yet simple premise: A dollar-for-dollar match for SNAP users when they purchase local fruits and vegetables,” said Field & Fork Network CEO Lisa French. “Designed to make New York grown foods accessible and affordable, we’ve since grown the program into one of the largest and widest-reaching nutrition incentive programs in the country. This National Farmers Market Week, we’re proud to celebrate where we came from and look forward to working with farmers across the state to make healthy food available to everyone.”