No Limit For New Mexico SNAP Participants To Double Up On Produce

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on July 23, 2022
- 6:29 am

Española Farmers Market. Courtesy/NMFMA

Las Cruces Farmers Market. Courtesy/NMFMA

NMFMA News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Farmers Market Association (NMFMA) announces that more than $2.5 million in food incentive dollars are available this year for grocery food shoppers who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, to buy New Mexico grown fruits and vegetables through the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Available at nearly 90 retail locations across the state, including farmers’ markets, farm stands and grocery stores, Double Up Food Bucks gives SNAP customers dollar-for-dollar match when they buy fresh New Mexico grown produce. This year, expanded program rules also mean shoppers can save 50 percent when they buy frozen, cut, and lightly processed (no sugar, salt, or oil) New Mexico grown foods including frozen green chile, pre-cut fruit, unsalted peanuts and more.

With the rising cost of food and inflation hitting New Mexicans hard, Double Up Food Bucks helps SNAP participants put healthy meals on the table, and at the same time it directly supports about 1,000 local farmers and food producers. There is no daily shopping limit under the program, and customers need only use their New Mexico SNAP-EBT card to qualify.

“We know how hard the pandemic and inflation has hit our communities, including our producers, so we are grateful that new state funding is helping more people eat fresh New Mexico grown fruits and vegetables,” Jeff Witte said, secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. “It’s a true win-win program for our state.”

Increased funding for Double Up Food Bucks is available this year due to new investments secured during the 2022 state legislative session as part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s $24.7 million Food Initiative.

Double Up Food Bucks funding from the state will total $1.38 million this year, including special one-time “Junior” money designated for legislator home districts including those of Senator Carrie Hamblen (Doña Ana County), Rep. Karen Bash (Bernalillo County), Rep. Matthew McQueen (Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance and Valencia Counties), and Rep. Brian Egolf (Santa Fe County).

Additional program funding is provided by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

More on how the program works: shoppers start by finding the farmers’ market information table where they swipe their SNAP-EBT card to receive tokens to spend at the market. If they swipe $20 off their card, for example, they will receive an extra $20 in tokens to buy free New Mexico grown fruits and vegetables. The tokens do not expire, but same-day shopping is encouraged so tokens are not lost. Shoppers who visit participating farm stands and grocery stores immediately receive 50 percent off New Mexico grown produce and qualifying products at the cash register.

Find locations and hours of operation for Double Up Food Bucks outlets, including farmers’ markets, farm stands and grocery stores, at DoubleUpNM.org.

About SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department, provides financial assistance to eligible New Mexicans with low income and limited resources to put food on their tables. People interested in applying can contact the agency at yes.state.nm.us