LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 52 The Hub On the Hill brings the Double Up Food Bucks Program to Adirondack consumers and be- yond. Located in Essex, NY, the Hub On the Hill is what's known as a "food hub"—a connector, of sorts, that bridges the gap between agricultural producers and consumers. Food hubs allow the farmers to farm and the pur- chasers to purchase, simplifying the process for all in- volved. Established in 2015, the Hub On the Hill sourc- es agricultural items from local farms and distributes products throughout New York State to individuals, retailers, and institutions such as schools in addition to having an on-site market in Essex. Its weekly distributional reach extends over 2,100 miles, stretching from the Canadian border down to the Capital Region. The Double Up Food Bucks Program — piloted in Detroit in 2009 before expanding nationally — is a nutrition incentive model administered by Field & Fork Network. The program provides SNAP customers with a $1 for $1 match on all produce purchases, up to $20 per day. This means SNAP customers can now either double their produce purchases or cut their produce expendi- tures in half. "Healthy food incentive programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY are great for families, grocers and our local communities," said Lisa French, Co-founder and Executive Director of Field & Fork Network. "When families save money on food, they can use it for other needs. These reinvestments in communities also help our local economies." The Hub On the Hill became the first food hub in the nation to be approved as a vendor for the SNAP Online program. But even more impactful was how the Hub On the Hill, known for its ability to use technology to provide a wider reach to customers, was the first orga- nization to bring the Double Up Food Bucks program online. This innovative development allowed SNAP custom- ers without geographical access to freshly farmed produce to not only have nutritional items delivered to their homes, but they could now do it for half the cost. In doing so, The Hub on the Hill took away challeng- es and roadblocks facing many throughout the region. "When we launched SNAP Online, we knew that was just the first step," said Lindsay Willemain, Executive Director of The Hub on the Hill. "Getting Double Up Food Bucks NY online was an obvious next one and be- ing able to use this incentive—and take advantage of the Hub's home delivery service—will help make fresh foods accessible and affordable." To understand the value of these programs, we just need to look to the community. "The needs of poor and working people have his- torically been left out of the local food movement," said one SNAP customer. "For The Hub to realize its mission to support and strengthen the local food system here in the North Country, it must take into account the needs of everyone involved in that food system— consumers and producers alike. Programs like the Double Up Food Bucks match program is a powerful way to achieve this. People using SNAP are able to stretch their benefits twice as far on fruits and vegetables while the farmers who grew them are still making the full amount. This makes a real difference in this moment of increased food prices, increased costs of production, and the simultaneous decrease in SNAP allowances." A solution here, there, and everywhere Upon the initial launch of SNAP Online, only big stores like the Walmarts and Amazons of the world were approved for the program. However, those busi- nesses don't source their food locally. So, The Hub On the Hill being approved for SNAP Online and Double Up Food Bucks was a major mile- stone not just for consumers, but for local producers as well. And the good news doesn't stop here. Growers, local officials, and retailers are always looking for ways to expand programs that better the local food buying community. The Double Up Food Bucks Program is offered at farmers markets, grocery stores, mobile markets, farm stands, and food hubs. In addition to Double Up Bucks at The Hub on the Hill, the program is offered at Martin's Country Store (Moira), The Keesville Farmacy (Keeseville), JCEO's mobile markets (Franklin and Clinton County), Garden Share's Farmer's Markets (Canton), Hammond Farmers and Artisan Market (Hammond), Massena Farmers & Artisan Cooperative Market (Massena), Shield's Veg- etables (Plattsburgh), and the Tupper Lake Farmers Market (Tupper Lake). In New York State, Double Up has contributed to 5.2 million pounds of healthy food sales to over 100,000 customers, at more than 220 sites spanning 29 coun- ties. Food insecurity rates across the North Country, which encompasses a geographically large and rural part of the state, are around 13%; significantly high- er than the statewide rate of 9.6%. But now, with a couple clicks of the computer mouse, the geographic size of our Adirondack food desert now seems a little smaller. Yes, the Hub on the Hill is, in its own right, an oasis. To any distributors interested in partnering with the Double Up Food Bucks program, it is free to become a participating member. Interested parties may email info@doubleupnys.com.

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