Fresh fruits and vegetables can seem out of reach for local families trying to lower their grocery bills in difficult times. But it’s getting easier to put healthy produce on the table, as Blue Zones Project expands its Double Up Food Bucks efforts for anyone eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Foodland Markets at 3320 Mansfield Hwy. in Forest Hill is now the third area grocery store to roll out Double Up Food Bucks benefits—which means SNAP customers can now receive 50% off eligible fresh produce, up to $10 in savings per day, per customer. The benefit is easy to use. Customers just need to show their Lone Star Card at the register and tell the cashier they want to use Double Up Food Bucks before purchasing produce.
The Forest Hill Foodland Markets joins Elrod’s Cost Plus Supermarket at 1524 NW 25th St., and the Foodland Markets at 1212 S. Ayers Ave. in offering the program to eligible shoppers.
Blue Zones Project and North Texas Healthy Communities, under the umbrella of Texas Health Resources, launched Double Up Food Bucks at the Cowtown Farmers Market in May 2020 to make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. Research shows a direct correlation between fresh produce and overall well-being, with fresh fruits and vegetables delivering nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E.
“Eating a diet complete with immune-boosting produce is especially important during the COVID pandemic and for fighting off other illnesses,” explained Matt Dufrene, vice president of Blue Zones Project Fort Worth. “But for some, those healthy choices aren’t always easily available or affordable. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks can make a huge difference for families in need.”
“We are thrilled to see Double Up Food Bucks benefitting our customers and look forward to making an even greater impact with the expansion of this program,” Benefield said. “Our team is proud to be part of such an important effort to improve the health of our customers and community.”
Dufrene said relationships with area businesses is crucial to expanding and sustaining efforts like Double Up Food Bucks, and Blue Zones Project is always looking for business and organizations interested in making fresh, healthy foods both affordable and accessible for families in need.
Double Up Food Bucks will be available at all three G.E. Foodland Inc. grocery stores through the end of 2021 and possibly beyond.