Opening New Doors: Growing Double Up Across Michigan

Community resilience grows when people have the opportunity and resources to turn big ideas into reality. Communities know what works — they just need the investment to make it happen. In 2025, that belief fueled new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and families across Michigan. 

One of the biggest wins came at the Michigan State Capitol, where we worked alongside partners to secure $5 million in the 2026 state budget for Double Up Food Bucks. This bipartisan success was more than a line item — it was a recognition that Double Up is an essential community resource, helping families bring home more fruits and vegetables while keeping food dollars circulating between Michigan farmers and grocers. 

“We’ve been navigating an unpredictable funding landscape at both the state and federal levels, but we aren’t in it alone. We’ve spent over a decade building trusting relationships with policymakers across the political spectrum who’ve been our partners in safeguarding Double Up,” shares Alex Canepa, Director of Policy at Fair Food Network.  

But the most exciting story this year is one you can see in communities across Michigan: 20 new Double Up sites opened in 2025, expanding access to healthier food and stronger local economies. In Oakland County, where the program had relatively little reach in the past, we partnered with mission-driven grocers and farmers market managers who saw Double Up as a way to better serve their neighbors. Store managers shared how they wanted to make fresh produce more affordable for families while strengthening ties with Michigan farmers. “People have been asking and asking for Double Up,” said Royal Oak Farmers Market manager, Shelly Mazur. “Now that it’s here, they’re thrilled — especially with our year-round availability. Some customers drive 45 minutes just to shop here.” 

We also expanded the program’s reach in places beyond Southeast Michigan — launching more Double Up sites near urban centers like Grand Rapids and Lansing, as well as rural locales in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula with limited access to fresh produce. Each new site represents more than a store — it’s a point of connection between families seeking healthy food and the farmers and entrepreneurs who grow and sell it. 

We jump-started the launch of Double Up at new locations with Double Up Awareness events across Michigan this past July, celebrating the historic progress made possible by partners, advocates, and supporters like you who are opening new doors for families, strengthening our food system, and making healthy food not just a privilege for a few, but a real choice for everyone.

But there’s still more work to do. Communities across Michigan — and beyond — are ready for Double Up. Families, farmers, and retailers are asking for it. And with continued support, we can meet that need. Every dollar helps us expand access, deepen our roots in underserved areas, and ensure that healthy food is within reach for everyone. The momentum is real. It’s working. Let’s keep growing it, together.