Official Kickoff Event in Wellsville this Thursday May 9
SNAP Card Shoppers receive $1 for $1 match on produce purchases
Wellsville, NY – The Giant Food Mart store in Wellsville, NY has partnered with Field & Fork Network to announce the launch of their Double Up Food Bucks NY program. The Official Kickoff Event will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 11am at their store located at 44 Park Avenue, Wellsville, NY.
Several local elected officials and community leaders will be in attendance for the Official Kickoff event including; NYS Senator George Borrello, Allegany County Legislature Chairman W. Brooke Harris from Alfred and Majority Leader Steven A. Havey from Wellsville. Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler, Giant Food Mart Owner Nick Kusmierski and Double Up Food Bucks Program Director Joshua McGuire.
Double Up Food Bucks NY is a statewide nutrition incentive program, administered by Field & Fork Network that matches SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – formerly known as food stamps) purchases at participating farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands and retail grocery sites. This is the first grocery retailer in Allegany County to offer the program. The Double Up incentive is a way to increase access to and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income individuals and families. Double Up provides a $1 for $1 match on produce purchases, up to $5 per day at Giant Food Mart.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
- The program matches the customers purchase $1 for $1, up to $5 per day. So, if someone came in and bought strawberries for $3, they would receive a $3 coupon Coupons are printed at the bottom of the receipt. Customers can earn up to $5/day at this Giant Food Mart store. Coupons may be saved over multiple purchases to use on future transactions.
“Food insecurity in New York is higher than it was during the pandemic due to inflation, record high food costs, and the elimination of many pandemic era support programs. Double Up Food Bucks helps families stretch their food budget and not have to make the difficult decision between feeding their families and feeding them nutritious foods”, said Josh McGuire, Double Up Food Bucks NY Program Director. “This is the first grocery retailer to offer the program in Allegany County and it wouldn’t have been possible without our partnership with Giant Food Mart and the Support of NYS.”
“This is a very exciting and important program for our stores as we are always looking for ways to help our shoppers save on food items in our produce department and throughout the store while encouraging heathier eating. This new benefit will also be available at our Cuba Giant Food Mart store, “ stated Owner Nick Kusmierski.
“Every time ‘Double Up Food Bucks’ expands to another community, more New Yorkers gain access to farm-fresh, healthy food, more hardworking farmers gain a new market for their products and more New York communities see their food dollars stay local. This program is a ‘win’ for everyone and today we celebrate its latest partnership with the Giant Food Mart store in Wellsville. I am proud to have helped secure $2 million in the budget to ensure Double Up can continue its robust expansion and growing impact within our state,” said Senator George Borrello, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and representative for the 57th District.
Giant Food Mart will be giving away twenty $5 gift cards to the first twenty SNAP Card shoppers that day. Double Up Food Bucks will also have free giveaways throughout the day. There will also be representatives from Field & Fork Network to assist people who would like to learn more about the program.
The Double Up Food Bucks incentive can only be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables thereby promoting healthier eating habits among the participants and investing in local farms.
ABOUT DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS NY
Double Up Food Bucks NY is a statewide program, administered by Field & Fork Network, that provides a dollar-for-dollar match on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases, has been helping to improve food access in underserved communities across New York since 2014. The program is a free resource for anyone receiving SNAP benefits, that increases purchasing power by doubling their benefits. Double Up Food Bucks has contributed to over $10 million in healthy food sales with $2.6 million going directly to NY farmers. The program is available at over 230+ locations, across 32 counties, and has served over 100,000 SNAP Shoppers. For more information visit: www.doubleupnys.com
ABOUT GIANT FOOD MART & THE MARKET IN THE SQUARE
West Seneca, North Tonawanda, Cuba and Wellsville, New York
We have served the Western New York area for the past twenty-five years as friendly, convenient, family-owned neighborhood grocery stores. It has been our privilege to serve the local communities in which we operate, providing them with high-quality food at affordable prices, while also offering employment opportunities.
