From the Field Blog

Fourth-Generation Detroiter to Bring Healthy Food Access to Detroit’s Eastside

Alontae Pittman of Detroit saw owning a grocery store on Detroit's east side as an opportunity to leave a legacy for his family while fulfilling a local need for healthy food access. He is set to open Whittier Bodega, located at 11009 Whittier, on Detroit’s east side in 2025.

How one couple’s dream for an independent meat processing facility is strengthening the regional food system 

For more than a decade, Damian's Craft Meats has been working to launch a new meat processing facility that will provide vital resources to local farmers and jobs for the surrounding communities.

Building Trust at the Grocery Store Checkout

Grocery cashiers serve as frontline ambassadors helping customers access healthy food options through Double Up Food Bucks, Fair Food Network’s nutrition incentive program that is available in 230+ locations across Michigan.

Michigan Good Food Fund's Seed Award Spotlight: Jere Farms

Dan Jere of Jere Farms in the Upper Peninsula has worked tirelessly to bring high-quality meat and produce to his community, often driving hours to vend at neighboring farmers markets. Today, Jere Farms is a statewide distributor known for its commitment to sustainable and ethical farming practices.

Rooted in Paradise: Oahu's Rise as a Hub for Food Innovation and Sovereignty 

O’ahu is redefining what it means to live in paradise. The island’s local food movement is growing stronger, prioritizing local sourcing, food sovereignty, and greater access to healthy, affordable food in their communities. From cultivating indigenous crops, supporting local farms, to running fruit and vegetable incentive programs, O’ahu’s communities are leading by example and paving the way for a sustainable future through food.

Detroit Businesses Owners Graduate from BUILD Basics for Food Entrepreneurs

Detroit businesses owners graduate from BUILD Institute's course, gaining access to financing from the Michigan Good Food Fund.

Peaches & Greens: A True-to-Detroit Neighborhood Produce Market

Learn how a neighborhood produce market in Detroit, Michigan weathered the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and periods of high inflation thanks to its innovative grocery store model.

Continuing to Meet the Need With Nutrition Incentive Programs

Food insecurity presents a growing problem in the U.S. With the help of nutrition incentive programs like Double Up Food Bucks, families using SNAP can bring home the fresh fruits and vegetables they need and want. In turn, local farmers and food retailers have more economic opportunities, and more dollars keep circulating in our communities.

Strengthening Community Connections in Flint, Michigan

Since its launch over a decade ago in Flint, the Double Up Food Bucks program has been so popular that the city has become a centerpiece for program innovations. But despite this historic impact, Double Up usage in Flint has declined in recent years. Explore how our community engagement strategy in Flint increased Double Up usage by 49% in 2023.

Michigan Legislature Can Increase Food Security through Continued Support of the Double Up Food Bucks Program

Food insecurity is a serious problem across the nation. Read how our Double Up Food Bucks program is helping Michigan families with low income increase their purchasing power to bring home more of the Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables they need and want.

No Salt, All Flavor: MFER Seasonings and Sauces brings a new kind of spice to its customers

With a calling to bring flavorful, low-sodium products to the community, Antoine Williams founded MFER Seasoning and Sauces in Detroit. Within three years, his products were on the shelves of more than 100 stores in Metro Detroit. And then adversity struck.

GusNIP Week of Action - November 6-10

Together with food, farm and health leaders across the nation, Fair Food Network is calling on Congress to improve and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) in the 2023 Farm Bill.

NTAE Nutrition Incentive Hub National Convening 2023: Advancing Nutrition Incentives & Produce Prescriptions

This summer, we joined 630+ GusNIP practitioners and partners to learn about innovations in the field, discuss food as medicine, and hear from GusNIP champions. Dive into our recap of the Nutrition Incentive Hub National Convening.

Supporting Nutrition Incentives Nationwide

See how our work with the Nutrition Incentive Hub helps nutrition incentive programs start, strengthen, and scale their work, driving big benefits for communities across the country.

Advocacy in Action: Championing polices that bring proven, restorative solutions to scale

As we approach the 2023 Farm Bill, Fair Food Network and our partners in the Alliance for National Nutrition Incentives (ANNI) are advocating to grow support for GusNIP and realize its full potential for supporting families, farmers, and local economies.

Championing local farmers with Argus Farm Stop

At Argus Farm Stop, farmers own the produce and keep 70% of every sale and families with low income can access more locally grown fruits and vegetables thanks to Double Up Food Bucks. Learn more about what’s next for this innovative partner, thanks to an investment from the Fair Food Fund.

Re-imagining traditional African favorites with Global Village Foods

Global Village Foods has turned their traditional African restaurant menu into allergy-friendly, vegan ready-to-eat-meals. Learn how an investment from the Fair Food Fund and Flexible Capital Fund is helping the Vermont company bring more culturally relevant, locally sourced food options into the marketplace.

Hitting the road with delicious fun foods with Jetta’s Popcorn & Fun Foods

After 10 years in business, Jetta’s Popcorn & Fun Foods decided to hit the road. “The biggest ah-ha I have had is realizing that I wanted to be able to go where the people are,” said owner Magita Barbee. See how this Detroit fun food business is innovating, thanks in-part to a recent investment from Fair Food Fund and business training from Michigan Good Food Fund.

Supporting Food and Farm Entrepreneurs in Michigan

Fair Food Network is the administrator of Michigan Good Food Fund, a lending network that invests in small businesses that improve access to culturally relevant food, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. Read more about this work in our latest impact report and be sure to follow the stories of these food and farm entrepreneurs.

Growing State Support for Double Up Texas

The work of our policy team is designed to broaden access to healthy foods by expanding nutrition incentive programs to more people in more places. The team’s recent working partnership in Texas with Sustainable Food Center and the American Heart Association ushered in the most significant geographic expansion of SNAP nutrition incentive program funding in the South to date.

On a roll: EggRollDiva meets a growing demand for metro-Detroit’s favorite food truck

As Detroit's "EggRollDiva" Belinda Beard sets her sights on a new food trailer and an expanded ability to bring flavor to the metro Detroit community, we’re happy to support her continued growth through financing.  

What the Upcoming Farm Bill Means to Your Community

The Farm Bill is the most important tool we have for addressing food security in our country. See what’s at stake as we advocate for policy updates to this important piece of legislation that governs an array of agricultural and food programs.

A Double Up Michigan Partnership Improves Local Sourcing

In 2022, Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program partnered with Taste the Local Difference to take a closer look at ways of improving local sourcing for grocery stores in Detroit.

Win-Win-Win of Nutrition Incentives

Senior Policy Director Mark Nicholson shares the win-win-win potential of nutrition incentives to add significant profits for fruit and vegetable producers, while also improving nutrition security for Americans.

From Capital- to Community-first Mindset in Impact Investing

Despite good intentions by impact investors, capital is still not reaching everyone equally, especially in communities of color. Dig in to learn why we’re shifting from capital-first to community-first investing and explore how this shift can accelerate our collective journey towards justice.

Denver’s Growth Leaves Grocers and Healthy Food Efforts in its Wake

We teamed up with Nourish Colorado to explore the impact of Denver's explosive growth & gentrification on neighborhood grocers and identify policy & partnership solutions to help these grocers retool and adapt.

People in Nutrition Incentive Programs Eat More Produce Than the Average Person, and Other Insights From the 2021 HUB Convening 

New research shows that people who participate in nutrition incentive programs eat MORE fruits & veggies. Dig in for a recap of these exciting results plus our reflections on this year's Nutrition Incentive Hub annual convening.

A Grocery Store for Every American Gets a Boost

Daily Table is on a mission to make healthy food affordable for families across Massachusetts and beyond. We were thrilled to expand our partnership with Daily Table, which launched Double Up Food Bucks in 2018, to now include financing through the Fair Food Fund.

Detroit Entrepreneurs Redefine Soul Food

Since 2010, Detroit Soul's Jerome Brown & Samuel Van Buren have grown their healthful, homestyle cooking business from catering to carryout. See how we teamed up with Michigan Good Food Fund partner Detroit Development Fund to de-risk this investment and help this business grow.

Building a Blueprint for Food Sovereignty in Black and Brown Neighborhoods

After six years and many hurdles, the North Flint Food Market broke ground this August. Dig into our latest story from the field to see how Pastor Reginald Flynn’s tenacity and grit brought this store to life, to not only feed the people of Flint, but to serve as a blueprint for food sovereignty across the country.

The Results Are In

Dig into two new impact reports highlighting sparks of innovation and resilience across our impact investing and nutrition incentives work in 2020.

Meet our new team members!

Our Fair Food Network team is growing! We asked our newest staff members about a topic near and dear to our hearts (fruits and veggies) and picked their brains on what they’ve been reading, listening to, and watching.

Fair Food Fund Impact Report Q1 2021

In this quarterly report, we’re excited to announce our first Collateral Initiative with Maine Harvest Federal Credit Union (MHFCU) in support of a woman-owned farm in Freedom, Maine. Plus: Our team is growing!

How to address nutrition insecurity? A solution is on the table

Hear from Policy Director Mark Nicholson on the ways SNAP and nutrition incentives help us address nutrition insecurity.

At Your Fingertips

We launched two new websites for Double Up Food Bucks this winter, helping shoppers learn about the program nationally and in Michigan more easily than ever before.

What is Essential? A Profile of a Detroit Grocer

People across our food system from farm to fork have been working tirelessly this past year. We talked with Joe Gappy, a Detroit grocery store owner, about his experience during a time defined by uncertainty.

Fair Food Fund Impact Report Q4 2020

In this quarterly report, we’re excited to announce a NEW investment in Chelsea Business Foundation, a nonprofit supporting Latino-led and small businesses in Chelsea, MA, a partnership with portfolio company Five Acre Farms bringing fresh milk and eggs from Northeast farmers to area food banks, and our new role stepping up to lead the statewide Michigan Good Food Fund initiative. 

The Economic Benefits of Expanding Healthy Food Incentives 

Dig into a new study that models the economic return of SNAP incentives as they scale.

The Power of Food

Join us on a journey as we lift up signs of resilience that show what’s possible when we harness the power of food to transform our communities for good.

Fair Food Fund Impact Report Q3 2020

In this quarterly report, we’re excited to announce a new investment in Forty Acres Soul Kitchen, the only full-service, sit-down, 100% African American-owned restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Double Up Spotlight: Genevia Harvey

Hear Genevia Harvey's unique perspective on Double Up Food Bucks as both a shopper and a farm vendor.

SNAP in America with StoryCorps

We partnered with StoryCorps and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to lift up the voices behind SNAP in America. Working with an independent artist, we’ve brought some of the stories to life in a new animated series that provide an intimate look at what food insecurity looks like in our country. 

Investing in Detroit Business Before, During, and Beyond COVID-19

Meet Quiana (Que) Broden, an entrepreneur on a mission to deliver locally sourced, healthy food to Detroiters before, during, and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Standing with the communities we serve

Today and every day, Fair Food Network is committed to standing together to build a more equitable and just tomorrow. Read our full statement.

What Fair Food Network is Doing During this Crisis

The world is changing with COVID-19 and so are we. See how we’re pivoting work in incentives and impacting investing to support communities at this time. Read more.

Kate Krauss Promoted to Executive Director & COO

A letter from our founder and CEO, Oran B. Hesterman.

Game changer from farm to (every) fork

The Senate farm bill was passed with bipartisan support and includes victories for American farmers and families. Watch our NEW VIDEO and see why we're behind this bill.

5 tips to get the word out about SNAP incentives

Take a trip with us to see how we reimagined the Double Up marketing campaign with the goal to grab the attention of SNAP shoppers online and off.

4 Things That Inspired Us in 2017

From the east coast to the west and deep in America's heartland, there's one thing that unites us all: the belief that good food changes everything.

What happens at a business boot camp?

Heard of business boot camps and want to know more? Follow the journey of a good food entrepreneur through these photos.

Photo Tour: Growing Healthy Food Access in America’s Heartland

Meet the growers, grocers, and community leaders that are bringing Double Up to America's heartland.

SNAP Incentives Shine at Farm Bill Conversations

Farm Bill conversations happened in communities across the country in 2017. One common theme that cut across geographies? The power of SNAP incentives.

If You Build It: Growing farmer grocer pipeline

We're helping grow stronger farm to grocer ties in New Hampshire with partner Red Tomato.

Double Up Doubles Down on Grocery.

Grocers across the nation are bringing Double Up Food Bucks to their stores. Learn what’s behind this next frontier of SNAP incentives.

Double Up Grocery: A Photo Tour Across America.

Double Up is in groceries in small towns and big cities nationwide. See photos in action.

Growing the Good Food Economy: Stories from the Field

Hear from entrepreneurs who are reimagining our food system from field to fork.

Food, Feed, and Energy

How a craft oil company is transforming our food system from the ground up.

A Fresh Approach to Farm-Fresh Shopping

Five Acre Farms takes the “buy local” and meets customers where they are—the grocery store—with farm fresh, sustainably produced food.

Taking A Farmer-Focused Food Hub to the Next Level

WorldPEAS Food Hub realized it needed to re-think its business plan to get back on its feet and become financially self-sustaining. Follow its journey through Fair Food Fund's intensive Business Boot Camp for good food entrepreneurs.

A Place to Park

What happens when you’ve got a brilliant idea, put it into action, and then realize you need to pivot? That’s what happened with the young food entrepreneurs behind Fresh Food Generation.

Empowered by Efficiencies

How a consultant’s streamlining helped an organic farm tidy up its business (and its barn).

Pass the Butter

A grass-fed dairy in upstate New York gets ready to grow with consulting support from Fair Food Fund.

Connecting Farmers to Eaters - and Businesses - in Maine

When the Pickup, a local food grocery delivery and wholesale distribution business in Skowhegan, Maine launched, it looked a little different than it does today.

Creating Change and Locally-Sourced Brews in Portland, Maine

A strange intersection of events led to the success of Urban Farm Fermentory, a Portland, Maine, business that’s been producing and selling kombucha, hard cider, mead, and gruit-style beer made from Maine-sourced ingredients since 2010.

Voices of Double Up in America

We sat down with some of the families, farmers, market managers, store owners, and others that make Double Up Food Bucks a success in Michigan and now in communities across America. Hear their stories in this series: Voices of Double Up in America.

Voices of Double Up in America: Shopper in Michigan

Hear from one Double Up shopper on how this healthy food incentive program helped her family during a time of need, and in the process, changed the way they eat forever.

Voices of Double Up in America: Michigan Farmer

Double Up is not only getting more healthy food to those in need, but helping a family farm makes ends meet. Hear from one Amish farmer from a small town in western Michigan.

Voices of Double Up in America: Market Manager

SNAP incentives can support the financial viability of farmers markets by bringing in new customers and boosting vendor sales. Hear from one market manager on the difference this program has had for her market.

Voices of Double Up in America: Grocery Leader

Helping more Americans buy more fresh produce is great from a business perspective and it benefits the community. Hear from a grocery leader on why they brought Double Up to their stores.

Voices of Double Up in America: Shopper in Oklahoma

For some low-income Americans, their food budget is determined by the SNAP benefits they receive. Double Up is helping one shopper in Oklahoma double her food dollars for fresh food.

Voices of Double Up in America: Community Leader

A local group incubated by area business leaders launched Double Up to boost the health and economic vitality of the state. Hear from a community leader about this work.

Voices of Double Up in America: New Mexico Farmer

Double Up is not only meeting critical hunger and nutrition needs, but also increasing farmer income, helping beginning farmers be financially viable, and stimulating rural economies. Hear one farmers' story.

Voices of Double Up in America: Double Up Supporter

Healthy food incentives are helping level the playing field, while producing long-term health dividends. Hear from a healthcare funder on why she's behind Double Up.

Maine Terroir is Brewing

Your product is delicious, the market for it is exploding, and your business is thriving. You are ready for expansion, but you need capital. Enter Fair Food Fund.

Fair Food Fund Announces New Loan to DAHlicious

With a 4,000 year history and the nickname “Food of the Gods,” lassi comes well recommended.

USDA Funding Grows Healthy Food Incentive Programming Nationwide

On April 1, 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $31 million in funding to support healthy food incentive projects in communities nationwide. Published with Altarum Institute.

New Fair Food Fund Investment in Radicle Farm Company

Most people don’t think about the revolutionary potential of salad. But Radicle Farm Company is taking a fresh approach.

Are You Growing the (Good Food) Economy?

A Q&A with Fair Food Business Bootcamp instructor and professor Jay Friedlander with his tips for good food entrepreneurs and other thoughts on growing the good food economy.

True to Their Roots

How Maine’s Northern Girl is reinvigorating the local food economy one beet at a time.

Incentives Meet Grocery: A Q&A With SpartanNash

A conversation with SpartanNash leadership on why they're excited to bring Double Up Food Bucks to their stores.

5 Highlights from 2014 Double Up Season

125+ farmers markets, 6 grocery stores, a network of other sites, and our five year anniversary. See highlights.

Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program: A Primer

An overview of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grants program established in the 2014 Farm Bill.

How to Start a SNAP Incentive Program: Lessons From The Field

A Q&A with our partner at Field & Fork Network on launching Double Up in Western New York.

A Tale of Michigan Blueberries

Healthy Food for All: 2014 Farm Bill Creates National Healthy Food Incentive Grants

Top 9 Reasons Why Michigan Farmers Markets Lead the Pack

The good food revolution: Race, economics, and what local means with Detroit activist and educator Malik Yakini

New Funds for Local and Regional Food System Development: Farmers Markets, Food Hubs, and More!

Organic Farming Comes of Age in the 2014 Farm Bill

Farm Bill Increases Support for Beginning, Veteran, Urban, and Minority Farmers

Healthy Food for All

What’s Next for Farm Bill Programs?

Local Food Economy

Presenting…Farm Bill 2014!

Fueling Entrepreneurship across the Food System

Community + Farmers = Success!

Detroit Goes to Washington

Two things you can do today to make the American food system better: Part 2

Two things you can do today to make the American food system better: Part 1

Is our democracy still working?

Sex, Obesity and the Farm Bill

Double Up Food Bucks visits the SEIU Health Fair

Cleveland Urban Agriculture Project’s Summer Training Build

Detroit Food Systems at Work

Bitter Harvest: Farm Bill Dies on the House Floor

Double Up Food Bucks for the Win-Win: Healthy Food Incentives Boost Healthy Food Access and Local Economies

Farm Bill 2013: A Mixed Bag

Fair Food Network’s Good Food Social Enterprise Lab

"Food - it's a voting issue."

A New Way to Reach the Detroit Community?

Your City, Your Voice. We are listening!

Obesity and the Rising Cost of Healthcare in America

Detroit Grocery Incubator Graduates 3 Fellows

Uncertainty: The New Normal?

Carrots over Sticks: Changing Eating Habits for Better Health and a Stronger Economy

The Farm Bill: Hanging from the Cliff

Can lame duck Congress carry a Farm Bill stumble across the finish line?

Fair Food Network’s Detroit Grocery Incubator

Farm Bill Withers on the Vine

FFN's Small Grants Program Supports GFBC

Will the Drought Push the Farm Bill Through Congress this Year?

DUFB Summer 2012 Launch: Grand Rapids Edition

2012 Farm Bill Clears House Hurdle

DUFB Summer 2012 Launch: Detroit Edition

FFN Lauds Passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012

Small Farms, Local Food Getting Some Hot New Technology

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act

Fair Food Network: Alleviating Hunger One Apple at a Time

Fair Food Network and 2012 Farm Bill Action

And They’re Off: FFN Helps Kick off the Farm Bill Race

Regional food hubs on the rise with local food markets

SNAP to Health with Double Up Food Bucks

Growing Good Food Enterprises through Impact Investing - Part 4

Growing Good Food Enterprises through Impact Investing - Part 3

Happy New Year! / Happy New Farm Bill?

Growing Good Food Enterprises through Impact Investing - Part 2

Growing Good Food Enterprises through Impact Investing - Part 1

The SNAP Program Can Do Better: Options for the 2012 Farm Bill

What now for the Farm Bill?

DUFB takes off in electronic form

Growing the Good in Battle Creek

Progress (?) On The Ag Policy Front

Grocery Stores: New opportunities to promote fair food in the inner city

Partners make all the difference for DUFB

DUFB soars, thanks to our on-the-ground partners

TURN UP THE VOLUME: Growing opportunities in local food

Perspective: Oran Hesterman on Fair Food

Ceiling on Debt = Ceiling on Farm Bill Spending

Buying Local Makes Economic Sense

Double Up Food Bucks is Back and Bigger than Ever!

Creating a Healthy, Sustainable Food System: Is Organic Really the Answer? - Part 2

Moving From Conscious Consumer to Engaged Citizen

Food & Farm Policy: History, Future, and Why I Should Care

FFN's January DC Policy Update

FFN at Slow Food - Terra Madre 2010

Midterm Elections 2010: Implications for Food Systems Policy