FOOD ASSISTANCE
SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides support to families and individuals in need. You can use your Bridge Card at a farmers market by going to the market information center and receiving coins to spend at the market.
Looking to apply for a Bridge Card? Gleaners offers assistance with applying for SNAP Assistance. Learn more at Gleaner’s website.
Fair Food Network runs the Double Up Food Bucks program that doubles the value of Bridge Card dollars spent at farmers markets up to $20 dollars, once per day. When a Bridge Card participant asks for $20 in to spend on eligible food products, they receive an additional $20 in DUFB coins to spend on Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables – for a total of $40. DUFB tokens are silver coins valued at $2.00 each. DUFB participants can only use these tokens to purchase Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables. DUFB program starts in most markets on June 1st through October 31st. Program runs longer in limited markets, visit the DUFB website to learn more.
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Learn more about Double Up Food Bucks and all the locations you can use the program at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.
Senior Market FRESH is a food assistance program that provides people who are 60 years of age or older and have a total household income of 185% of poverty or less with access to unprocessed, Michigan-grown products. The program is free for both participants and farmers. Program coupons accepted at farmers markets starting June 1st through October 31st.
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To learn more, visit the Michigan Department of Aging and Adult Services.
Women and children up to age five currently enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) program can receive coupons for Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables. The program is free for both participants and farmers. Program coupons accepted at farmers markets starting June 1st through October 31st.
To apply for WIC Project Fresh, contact your local WIC office.
Fresh Prescription is a fruit and vegetable prescription program that brings together the healthcare system and the food system, fostering innovative relationships to build a healthy sustainable food system in Detroit. This promising approach to a healthier food system connects patients to fresh, locally-grown produce while providing direct economic benefits to small and midsize farmers.
Participants are referred to the Fresh Prescription program by their primary care physician. The clinician gives the participants a "prescription" to eat more fruits and vegetables and helps set goals for healthy eating. Patients fill their prescription at a partnering farm stand or market, where they also receive nutrition counseling, cooking demonstrations, and other educational support for making meaningful, healthy eating changes.
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If you're interested in being involved or learning more, please contact Patrice Brown of Eastern Market Partnership.