OBSERVER photos by Christopher Blakeslee From left, state Assemblyman Andy Goodell; state Sen. George Borrello, Linnea Haskin, Jamestown Public Market and Mobile Market director; and Josh McGuire, Field and Fork Network program director. all gave speeches Thursday at the unveiling of the New York State’s $2 million funding of the Double Up Food Bucks Program.

JAMESTOWN — A quickly forming line is all the proof state Sen. George Borrello needs to know the state’s investment in the Double Up Food Bucks program is well spent.

Local political leaders and local food providers announced Thursday that the Double Up Food Bucks program will receive $2 million dollars in state funding. The public announcement took place in front of Silvertree Seniors, a local-area, adult/elderly, low-income housing complex. On hand and to give speeches was John McGuire, program director for the Field and Fork Network; Borrello, the ranking member of the state Senate Committee on Agriculture; state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, assembly’s minority leader; Linnea Haskin, the Jamestown Public Market’s director; Liz Caldwell, Silvertree Seniors of Jamestown marketing director; and Miles Hilton, a Double Up Food Bucks program participant and a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-bassador) and program user.

Double Up Food Bucks NY is a statewide nutrition incentive program, administered By the Field and Fork Network, which provides SNAP users with a dollar-for-dollar, up to $20 a day, match to increase affordability and access to fresh healthy foods at farmers markets, farms stands and mobile markets/grocery stores.

“For every dollar spent purchasing fresh and locally produced fruits and vegetables, SNAP participants can double their purchasing power,” McGuire said. “In today’s economy where inflation is affecting the cost of everything, for every dollar spent in this program, you can earn a matching dollar (coin worth $2) to be used on your next purchase of fresh produce for a max of $20 per day.”

McGuire said the program is a win-win-win for all involved.

“Locally, the shopper gets a win, the local farmer who can now sell their produce locally gets a win, and all the money from these transactions stay locally. So the local economy gets a win -three Ws,” McGuire said.

Not lost in gravity for the need of these programs, local politicians added.

“I am always looking for opportunities to put local produce on the tables of New Yorkers and that’s exactly what Double Up does.” Borrello said. “Within minutes of the Mobile Market arriving here, a line began to form.”

In most locations, Double Up Food Bucks runs from July 1 through Oct. 31 and are available at more than 165 farmers markets across New York. While there is no minimum amount that must be spent, at farmers markets that use $2 Double Up tokens buyers can get the most out of their dollars by spending in increments of $2. Most vendors that sell New York-grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets accept Double Up Food Bucks. Look for Double Up Food Bucks signs displayed at market stalls or ask vendors before making a purchase.

“Having the food brought to you is so convenient,” Goodell said. “And it’s all fresh, clean and healthy for you.”

The need for the program is expected to continue.

“In 2014, Double Up was in seven different food markets. Now, in 2023, it’s in more than 200 markets and mobile markets and has expanded to more than 32 counties throughout New York,” McGuire said.

For more information on the Double Up Food Program, visit fieldandfork.com or visit any SNAP location.