New York grocer to become 1st to accept Double Up Bucks online

The New York-based Hub on the Hill is set to become the first grocer in the nation to accept Double Up Food Bucks online, due to a partnership between the tech company Grocerist and the nonprofit Field & Fork Network. 

The Double Up Food Bucks program enables SNAP recipients to double every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables. It is available in 25 states, but the new e-commerce app, built on the e-commerce platform Shopify, is the first tech solution that grocers can use to accommodate the program, according to a Grocerist press release Friday. 

“Food prices are escalating rapidly, and the Double Up Food Bucks program is a fantastic resource for increasing SNAP recipients’ access to fresh, healthy foods,” Jeff Anders, co-founder and CEO of Grocerist, said in the press release. “We’re proud to be working with Field & Fork Network on this important project, which provides a national model for how to implement nutrition incentives and SNAP together online.” 

Grocerist is known for partnering with third-party payments provider Forage to become the first food hub to accept SNAP EBT payments online. Those shopping online at Hub on the Hill will see their Double Up Food Bucks applied to purchases of fruits and vegetables, the company noted. 

“Healthy food incentive programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY are great for families, grocers and our local communities,” Lisa French, co-founder and executive director of the Field & Fork Network, said in the press release. “When families save money on food, they can use it for other needs. Those reinvestments in communities will help our local economies recover.” 

Grocerist and Field & Fork are working to expand the program to more New York-based grocers, the company said. Since its inception, the Double Up program has helped bring 5.2 million pounds of fruit and vegetable sales to more than 100,000 consumers in New York.