Double Up Food Bucks

Grocery Application

Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Double Up Food Bucks Grocery Application 

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative is accepting applications from Iowa owned and operated vendors on a rolling basis. If interested in participating in Double Up Food Bucks please complete the application form on this page.

WHAT IS DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS?  Double Up Food Bucks allows SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) customers to match purchases of qualifying fruits and vegetables made with their EBT card (up to $10 per day) with Double Up Food Bucks which can be spent on additional qualifying fruits and vegetables

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?  The definition of qualifying fruits and vegetables includes any variety of fresh whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e. 17 sodium). SNAP eligible seeds and plants intended for cultivation and consumption (e.g., tomato seeds or tomato plants) and fresh herbs (e.g., fresh basil, thyme, or mint) are also considered qualifying fruits and vegetables.

HOW DOES THE CUSTOMER EARN DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS?  The customer will earn Double Up in the form of a $1 digital Double Up Food Buck when they purchase qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables (see above) and pay using their SNAP benefits. 

HOW DOES THE CUSTOMER REDEEM DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS?  The customer can redeem their Double Up Food Bucks on a future purchase (EBT, cash, credit card, etc.) of qualifying fresh fruits and vegetables (see above). 

To Qualify, you must:

  • Be an independently operated, full-service vendor operating in Iowa

  • Be able to accept SNAP EBT benefits

  • Have a SNAP permit number from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)

  • Must complete and submit appropriate Double Up Food Bucks application and include required SNAP data

  • Must be able to complete all program requirements including documentation, reporting requirements, and evaluation requests

  • Must be able to implement use of the Double Up Food Bucks digital earn and redemption upon activation of site

  • Must complete required Double Up Food Bucks training

  • Must sign and submit Double Up Food Bucks contract and W9

  • Must support promotion of the Double Up Food Bucks with shoppers.

If selected, Iowa Healthiest State will provide:

  • Program training in-person and/or webinar format

  • Templates and tools for record-keeping and required program reporting

  • An operations manual and technical assistance throughout the season

  • Funds to support the DUFB currency redeemed at your store location for qualifying fruits and vegetables

Healthiest State Initiative expects that your grocery store will:

  • Attend required training session

  • Offer and distribute DUFB to SNAP customers at the point of sale during the DUFB program

  • Provide the Healthiest State with third-party verification of SNAP sales during the DUFB program

  • Promote DUFB and SNAP program at your grocery store and in the local community

  • Complete all DUFB reporting requirements

  • Participate in DUFB program evaluation methods

  • Ensure adequate capacity to operate the program and cover any associated administrative costs

  • Communicate to customers at the point of sale about the DUFB program and promote the program and SNAP at your grocery store and  through community channels

GROCERY APPLICATION FORM:

Please email with questions:

Jazzmine Brooks

Double Up Food Bucks Program Coordinator
Iowa Healthiest State Initiative

301 Grand Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309

email: jazzmine@iowahealthieststate.com