Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Distributes Nearly $100,000 to Double Up Food Bucks Users as Food Insecurity Peaks
With food insecurity reaching its highest point of the year, rising grocery costs, and interruptions in SNAP benefits, the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative has announced a series of updates to help SNAP shoppers access fresh fruits and vegetables through the winter months.
The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative has restored more than $75,000 in Double Up Food Bucks previously expired benefits, an average rollback of $12.53 per user. Additionally, the Iowa Healthiest State canceled the 2025 quarterly expiration of Double Up Food Bucks. These changes allow families to stretch their benefits and access extra funds to supplement their budgets to purchase fruits and vegetables.
In addition, the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative distributed a one-time payment of $9 in Double Up Food Bucks to more than 2,600 active users, a total of more than $23,500. These funds were raised last month through the Double Up Food Bucks emergency fund in response to the federal government shutdown. Generous individual Iowans and organizations like Veridian Credit Union, Bank of America, Iowa State Bank, and Landus supported the fund.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are often the first items cut from tight grocery budgets,” said Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Executive Director, Jami Haberl. “These initiatives will help families across the state keep produce on the table and provide financial relief for thousands of Iowans when they need it most.”
The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative encourages Double Up Food Bucks users to check their accounts for updated balances at mydoubleup.com or to visit participating retailers. Double Up Food Bucks is made possible by our sponsors Molina, Bank of America, Corteva Agriscience™, Farmers Mutual Hail, Wellpoint and the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program.
How Double Up Food Bucks works: When customers spend $15 on fresh fruits and vegetables using SNAP benefits at a participating location, they can earn $15 in Double Up Food Bucks. These bucks can be used to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables. The program matches what you spend—$1 for $1—up to $15 each day. To earn and use Double Up Food Bucks: SNAP/EBT customers must sign up for the Double Up Food Bucks Iowa program. To learn more about Double Up Food Bucks, including participating sites, visit www.DoubleUpIowa.org.
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The Healthiest State Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization driven by the vision that every Iowan has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. By creating awareness and integrating solutions to improve the physical, social, and mental well-being of Iowans, the organization aims to make this vision a reality. For more information, visit http://www.iowahealthieststate.com.