It’s now even easier for some local shoppers to “SNAP” up fresh fruits and vegetables to feed their families. A successful Double Up Food Bucks program piloted at Elrod’s Cost Plus Supermarket in north Fort Worth in October has expanded to a second grocery store, Foodland Market, 1212 S. Ayers Ave., Fort Worth. Double Up Food Bucks enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to save on eligible fresh produce. Using a Lone Star Card, SNAP shoppers can receive 50% off, or up to $10 in savings per day, per customer.
North Texas Healthy Communities and Blue Zones Project Fort Worth are spearheading and funding Double Up Food Bucks. Launched in May at the Cowtown Farmers Market, the program expanded to grocery stores, thanks to a partnership with G.E. Foodland Inc., which operates Elrod’s and Foodland stores.
Don Benefield, executive vice president of G.E. Foodland Inc., says the grocery store partnership is already a success. “We have seen a significant increase in fresh produce purchases through Double Up Food Bucks at Elrod’s, and we look forward to expanding these efforts,” said Benefield. “Partnering with Blue Zones Project helps us play an important role in improving the overall health of our community and advances our company’s mission of feeding families for life.”
Matt Dufrene, Blue Zones Project vice president, says eating fruits and vegetables is especially important during the COVID pandemic and winter flu season. Fresh produce provides nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E to boost immune function. “Increasing access to fresh, affordable food is more critical now than ever before,” said Dufrene. “There’s a direct correlation between fresh produce and health, and collaborations like Double Up Food Bucks help ensure that all of our neighbors can put healthy and affordable food on the table.”
Double Up Food Bucks can be found at:
Elrod’s Cost Plus Supermarket, 1524 NW 25th St., Fort Worth
Foodland Market, 1212 S. Ayers Ave., Fort Worth
Coming Soon:
Foodland Market, 3320 Mansfield Highway, Forest Hill - Early 2021