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Emmanuel Sanders of the Buffalo Bills. (Image courtesy of Field & Fork Network)
Emmanuel Sanders of the Buffalo Bills. (Image courtesy of Field & Fork Network)

Field & Fork Network partners with Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills Foundation to tackle food insecurity

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Tue, Sep 28th 2021 10:25 am

Network’s Double Up Food Bucks New York program expands healthy food access for low- income families

Field & Fork Network recently announced its partnership with the Buffalo Bills Foundation, joining a collection of local organizations participating in its “Huddle for Hunger” initiative addressing child hunger, nutritious food access, and healthy eating in Western New York.

Double Up Food Bucks New York, a healthy food incentive program administered by Field & Fork Network, does just that by providing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) shoppers with a dollar-for-dollar match to purchase more fruits and vegetables.

Buffalo Bills Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders will take on a new position as spokesperson for the program.

“I’m proud to help shine a light on healthy food disparities and programs like Double Up Food Bucks, which work to make it easier for people to put nutritious food on the table for their families,” he said. “This cause is very personal to me, and I hope that, through this partnership, I can continue to connect with people of Western New York community while ensuring they get access to the resources available to them that make food more affordable.”

Field & Fork noted nearly 20% of Western New Yorkers are food insecure with a high potential of qualifying for SNAP benefits. With Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), $20 spent on eligible SNAP purchases equals an extra $20 earned that can be used to purchase fresh, local produce. Since piloting DUFB at seven Western New York farmers markets in 2014, Field & Fork has expanded the program into over 180 farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands, small retail, and corner stores across 30 counties in New York, serving more than 24,000 SNAP customers.

“The partnership with the Buffalo Bills Foundation and Emmanuel Sanders is incredibly exciting and will no doubt significantly raise awareness of the Double Up Food Bucks New York program. Our goal of eradicating food insecurity while improving the health of SNAP shoppers and strengthening the local food economy is that much closer with their help and support,” Field & Fork Network’s Executive Director Lisa French said.

In addition to the collaboration with Sanders, the Buffalo Bills Foundations awarded Field & Fork Network $25,000 to conduct marketing and outreach, across the region, for the Double Up Food Bucks New York program. Field & Fork said it will launch “a robust promotional campaign featuring Sanders that will help drive awareness of the program and inform SNAP shoppers how to best use the program in stretching their food budgets.”

Program Manager Frances McGuire said, “We are thrilled to have the support of the Buffalo Bills Foundation and Emmanuel Sanders as we tackle food insecurity in Western New York. Double Up Food Bucks is an incredible resource that empowers SNAP shoppers to make healthy choices. Emmanuel’s voice will help us go the extra yard to spread the word about the program in the community.”

Field & Fork Network Board President Stephanie Tisdale said, "I could not be more excited to be partnering with Emmanuel Sanders and the Buffalo Bills Foundation! Not everyone within our community is fortunate enough to have regular access to healthy, sustainable options. Double Up Food Bucks is an amazing program that makes this dream and need an attainable reality. Thank you so much to the Buffalo Bills Foundation for their role in this and a very special thanks to Mr. Sanders. We at Field & Fork Network are so appreciative, beyond excited, and this is only the beginning!"

A press release stated, “Double Up Food Bucks not only encourages healthy eating while providing the means to afford and access local food by meeting people where they are, but also supports local farmers and economies by putting the money back into their pockets. It’s a win-win-win for all! Field & Fork Network will continue to work with local partners to expand DUFB into more communities that will benefit from it the most.”

To learn more about Double Up Food Bucks and to find a complete list of participating sites, visit www.doubleupnys.com/locations.  

Double Up Food Bucks is a nationwide fruit and vegetable incentive program, servicing millions of low- income SNAP users with a dollar-for-dollar match to increase affordability and access to fresh healthy foods at farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands, mobile markets and grocery stores. In New York, Double Up has contributed to 1.1 million pounds of healthy food sales to over 24,000 customers, at more than 150 sites spanning 30 counties. To learn more about Double Up Food Bucks and for a complete list of participating sites, visit the program website at www.doubleupnys.com.

Field & Fork Network is a food and farming organization that connects communities to innovative solutions that foster a sustainable food system. To learn more about its work, visit www.fieldandforknetwork.com.

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