Stories indexed with the term ‘food stamps’

An agreement with the Fair Food Network to continue administering the Double Up Food Bucks program at the Ann Arbor farmer’s market has been given approval by the Ann Arbor city council. The council’s action, taken at its June 2, 214 meeting, included the acceptance of $32,000 in funding.

The Double Up name stems from the fact that it provides a match of up to $20/person/day for people using SNAP (Bridge cards/EBT/food stamps) to purchase Michigan-grown produce at farmers markets in Michigan.

The city of Ann Arbor has received Double Up Food Bucks grant funding since 2010.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron.

If you’re getting government aid to put food on the table, you know all about the Electronic Benefits Transfer, known in Michigan as the Bridge Card. You already know that this debit card – which replaced paper food stamps and other assistance – looks pretty much like any other debit or credit card. And you also know you can’t use it at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Yet.

Molly Notarianni, the city’s market manager, has a box of 1,000 wooden tokens and a new system that will allow people to use their Bridge Cards to shop at the market. While some logistics still need to be worked out, Notarianni hopes to launch the program within a month or two. [Full Story]