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Getting fresh, nutritious, affordable food to the people of Michigan can be a challenge, especially in the state’s economically struggling cities. According to the nonprofit Feeding America, the state has a 17.9 percent rate of food insecurity, a rough measurement of families who aren't sure where their next meal is coming from.

In recent years, programs that double the value of food stamp dollars spent at farmers markets have generated a lot of attention. The basic idea: Spend, say, $10 in food stamps and get an extra $10 credit for purchases at the market.

WASHINGTON — Adding a few Detroit grocers to the dozens of farmers markets that double the amount food stamp recipients can spend on Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables may seem like small potatoes, but some local advocates believe it could be the leading edge of a new effort in the fresh food movement.

Pilot is nation’s first to incentivize fruit and vegetable purchases with SNAP benefits in grocery stores

CHICAGO—Fair Food Network today announced a pioneering initiative that will double the value of SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, when used for fresh produce in participating Detroit groceries.

For Immediate Release—May 14, 2013

Double Up Food Bucks program boosts local economy and healthy food access

New report confirms healthy incentives programs are good for farmers and low-income consumers

Meeting the food needs of 9 billion people by 2050 will require increasing agricultural productivity in combination with other factors such as improving the nutritional quality of families’ diets.

Outreach, grants fuel growth and increased access

Michigan farmers markets experienced a 42 percent increase in the number of purchases made using a Bridge Card last year, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All
Oran B. Hesterman (PublicAffairs, 2012)

As 21/64 embarks on establishing our new donor education collaborative, “Ripe for Change,” in partnership with the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Local Economies Project we were looking for a book to help guide our thinking. We believe that just as food is at the center of many of our most pressing problems it can also be the center of the solution. Fair Food by Oran B. Hesterman typifies this thinking.

DETROIT — Dedicated to building a just and sustainable food system, the Fair Food Network has launched two new programs in Detroit. The Detroit Grocery Incubator program could increase grocery stores in Detroit and the Double Up Food Bucks program will allow Michigan Bridge card users to match their dollars with the purchase of Michigan-grown fresh foods and vegetables.

In a city where liquor stores often double as grocery stores, fresh, affordable produce is often hard to come by for Detroit residents. This is especially true for low-income households that receive food assistance and have to stretch a set monthly food allowance.