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Fair Food Network Responds to Federal SNAP Disruption with Immediate Action for Michigan Families

Gov. Whitmer Applauds Quick Action

October 28, 2025 | DETROIT, MI — In the wake of a prolonged federal government shutdown, the USDA has ordered states to pause the distribution of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps. This means no new SNAP dollars will be loaded onto EBT cards beginning November 1—in Michigan and across the country.

For the nearly 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on SNAP, the stakes are high. This includes children, older adults, veterans, and working families who now face additional barriers to accessing the food they need. But the impact doesn’t stop there—small and independent grocers, many of whom serve communities where the majority of shoppers use SNAP, are bracing for an economic ripple effect.

Fair Food Network is stepping in with immediate relief through its Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP purchases of fruits and vegetables. For over 15 years, Double Up has not only helped families bring home more fresh produce—it has also funneled millions of dollars into Michigan’s local food economy, benefiting farmers and food retailers alike.

“Double Up works because SNAP works,” said Kate Krauss, CEO of Fair Food Network. “When SNAP is disrupted, families feel it immediately—and so do the local grocers and farmers who serve them. That’s why we’re acting quickly to ease the burden, expand access to healthy food, and support the community food retailers that keep fresh produce on shelves and dollars circulating locally. This is what we’re built to do—step up with practical, community-rooted solutions when it matters most.”

This effort is made possible thanks to strong public-private partnerships and the leadership of the State of Michigan, alongside key contributors to our Resilience Fund, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Marguerite Casey Foundation, among others. State funding to support Double Up Food Bucks is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).

“More than a million Michigan families could lose SNAP at the end of this week, so we’re doing everything we can at the state level to help absorb that impact and find other ways to keep food on the table,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “In Michigan, we work to support one another as best we can and this moment is no different. We know SNAP is a lifeline for Michigan families. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy. These changes to the Double Up Program will go a long way in ensuring access to healthy food can continue while we push our federal partners to reach a deal that avoids more harm to Michigan families.”

“At MDARD, we’re committed to bettering the lives of Michiganders, which includes administering important programs like Double Up Food Bucks,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “At a time when Michigan families are seeing uncertainty and threatened benefits at the federal level, it’s important that we’re doing all that we can at the state level to ensure healthy food continues to reach our most vulnerable communities. I appreciate our partners at the Fair Food Network for mobilizing quickly with this bonus program and making Double Up as robust as possible in response to SNAP funding running out.”

Fair Food Network is taking the following immediate actions in Michigan, effective through December 31, 2025:

1. We’re expanding access and flexibility so families can build up savings on their Double Up cards:

  • Double Up earnings no longer expire. We’ve lifted the 90-day limit so shoppers can use their earned benefits whenever they need them.
  • No daily earning cap. We’ve removed the usual $20 per day limit, enabling families to earn as much as they can while shopping for fresh produce.
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables are now eligible. Shoppers can now use Double Up on frozen options with no added salt, sugar, or oil.

2. We’re introducing a new offering: Double Up Bonus Bucks.
Double Up Bonus Bucks is a limited-time voucher of $40. It does not require a matching SNAP purchase to receive. It can be used exclusively on fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables and will be distributed:

  • Directly onto Double Up cards or loyalty cards at participating sites, where applicable.
  • As printed vouchers for shoppers using tokens or coupons at participating locations.

Fair Food Network’s goal is to reach as many families as possible across the state—keeping healthy food on tables and revenue flowing through neighborhood grocery stores. Double Up Bonus Bucks will expire December 31, 2025, to encourage timely use.

What Michigan SNAP beneficiaries should know:

  • You can still use any SNAP dollars already on your EBT card—those funds are not affected.
  • All previously earned Double Up Food Bucks remain available.
  • Double Up is available year-round at grocery stores, even as farmers market season winds down.

To learn more, visit DoubleUpFoodBucks.org and FairFoodNetwork.org.

Need Help or Have Questions?

  • Call the Double Up hotline at 866-586-2796, 9 am – 5 pm ET, Monday – Friday.
  • Find a participating location near you: DoubleUpFoodBucks.org/locations
  • Dial 2-1-1 or visit Find Help – Michigan 2-1-1 for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services.
  • Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts.
  • Explore MI Bridges to learn more about SNAP, which offers temporary food assistance to eligible families.


About Fair Food Network
Fair Food Network is a national nonprofit and investor that grows community health, wealth, and resilience through food. We transform how resources flow through the food economy for a more fair and resilient future. Our approach integrates policy advocacy that brings proven solutions to scale, partnerships that increase our collective impact, and investments in food organizations and businesses that serve their communities. We’re building a world in which everyone has access to healthy choices, economic opportunity, and a resilient local food and agriculture system. We believe that when we start with food, everything else is possible. Learn more at FairFoodNetwork.org.