Sponsored By

SpartanNash expands Double Up Food Bucks access

Incentive program earns SNAP beneficiaries free fruit, vegetables when buying produce

Russell Redman

January 15, 2020

3 Min Read
Double Up Food Bucks_SpartanNash.PNG
SpartanNash said that, since 2014, it has been the only major grocery retailer in Michigan with multiple stores participating in Double Up Food Bucks.SpartanNash

This year, SpartanNash has extended Double Up Food Bucks, a healthy food incentive for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients, to 46 stores in Michigan.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash said yesterday, Double Up Food Bucks is now available at two Family Fare supermarkets in Coldwater and Cheboygan and one VG’s Grocery store in Howell. The program continues at 43 Family Fare, VG’s and ValuLand stores.

Administered by the Fair Food Network, Double Up Food Bucks enables SNAP beneficiaries to earn free produce when they buy fresh fruit and vegetables with their SNAP benefit at participating retailers.

For each dollar of fresh produce SNAP customers buy using their EBT Bridge Card and SpartanNash’s yes loyalty account, that amount is placed on their yes account. Shoppers then can redeem the Double Up dollars for free fruit and vegetables at participating Family Fare and VG’s locations. The program carries a maximum dollar-for-dollar match of $20 daily on participants’ yes account.

SpartanNash supermarket_produce dept.jpg

The Double Up Food Bucks incentive is offered by SpartanNash at 36 Family Fare, seven VG’s Grocery and three ValuLand stores.

SpartanNash noted that, since 2014, it has been the only major grocery retailer in Michigan with multiple stores participating in Double Up. The grocery wholesalers and retailer said the program is a key element if its corporate responsibility efforts because it drives access to nutritious foods and supports local farmers.

Related:Fine Fare Supermarkets to help SNAP recipients Get the Good Stuff

“We are committed to partnering with local growers and producers, as well as building stronger communities with programs like Double Up Food Bucks,” Tom Swanson, senior vice president and general manager for corporate retail at SpartanNash, said in a statement. “We are proud to have offered Double Up in our stores for the past seven years, because it enables SNAP customers to increase their access to fresh fruits and vegetables and supports our local farmers. And it’s a real win-win for our communities as a whole.”

The Double Up incentive is offered at 36 Family Fare, seven VG’s and three ValuLand locations. SpartanNash said that because ValuLand stores don’t participate in the yes loyalty program, SNAP customers will get half the price of a produce item free (up to $20 per day) when they buy fresh fruit and vegetables at a ValuLand location using an EBT Bridge Card.

In 2020, Double Up Food Bucks is available at more than 150 farmers markets, farmstands and other retailer outlets, as well as at over 100 full-service grocery stores, including independent supermarkets supplied by SpartanNash. Double Up started at five farmers markets in Detroit in 2009 and was expanded to Michigan grocery stores in 2013. Nationally, the Double Up program is active in 27 other states from coast to coast.

Related:GreenLeaf Market serves up meals in a food desert

“We’re grateful for SpartanNash’s long-term partnership, bringing Double Up to its many customers and improving healthy food access in the broader community,” commented Kate Krauss, executive director and chief operating officer of Fair Food Network. “We’re excited about SpartanNash’s role in helping us reach more families in every corner of the state as we launch Double Up’s expansion in 2020.”

Overall, SpartanNash operates 156 corporate-owned supermarkets, mainly under the Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket banners.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like