LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 31, 2025) — Earlier this week, the Fair Food Network (FFN) announced temporary changes to the Double Up Food Bucks Program in Michigan to help mitigate the impact of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning in November due to the ongoing federal shutdown. Thanks to investments secured by Senate Democrats in previous state budget cycles, the FFN was able to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program through the end of the year for users statewide, allowing greater flexibility and offering “Bonus Bucks” for families to put more food on their table while SNAP remains in limbo.
“Available at over 230 locations around the state, Double Up Food Bucks enables Michiganders to put more fruits and vegetables on their tables, boosts business for our farmers, and strengthens local economies. It’s a creative and invaluable program that I’ve been proud to support in past state budgets, allowing them the flexibility to do what they’re doing today — expand their efforts to provide Michiganders the support they need at a time they need it most,” said Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint). “I’m grateful to the Fair Food Network for stepping up to meet critical needs during this challenging time — especially as the holiday season approaches — and I’m committed to working alongside my colleagues to ensure our families have the resources they need to weather the storm in the weeks ahead.”
As chair of the subcommittee overseeing the budget for the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Sen. Cherry was instrumental in securing $14 million over the past three state budget cycles for the Double Up Food Bucks Program, allowing them the flexibility needed to make the following updates. Effective now through the end of the year:
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Michiganders’ Double Up earnings will not expire, so shoppers have the flexibility to use their earned benefits whenever they need.
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There is no longer a $20 daily earning cap, enabling families to earn as much as they can while shopping for fresh produce.
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Frozen fruits and vegetables are now eligible for purchase, so long as they have no added salt, sugar, or oil.
Along with these benefits, starting Saturday, Nov. 1, the FFN is launching Double Up “Bonus Bucks” — a limited-time voucher of $40 that will not require a matching SNAP purchase. These dollars will be loaded onto users’ Double Up cards and the app automatically, and paper vouchers will also be available at participating locations.
To provide additional emergency food support for Michiganders during the ongoing federal shutdown, yesterday, Senate Democrats passed legislation with bipartisan support that would provide $71 million to continue SNAP benefits beyond Nov. 1 and support food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations. Of this, $1 million would be allocated towards the Double Up Food Bucks program. This legislation now heads to the House for consideration.
For more than 15 years, the Double Up Food Bucks Program has enabled Michigan SNAP beneficiaries to access more nutritious items for their fridges and families by matching their EBT/Bridge Card, or food stamp, dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. Learn more at DoubleUpFoodBucks.org.