Double Up Arizona: 2018 Year in Review

2018 was a wonderful year for Double Up Food Bucks Arizona! The program expanded into new markets, stimulated local economies across Arizona, and so much more. Here are just a few of our favorite highlights:

2018 By the Numbers

This year, the Double Up Food Bucks Arizona program reached an astounding 32 sites across Arizona. Double Up Arizona is now available at 23 farmers markets, 3 farm stands, 4 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sites, and 2 mobile markets with over 40 stops across the Phoenix-metro area. We look forward to growing even more in 2019!

Since 2016, $330,480 in SNAP/EBT (formerly known as food stamps) and Double Up Food Bucks have been redeemed in Arizona. There have been 2,885 new SNAP customers since 2016. In the last 2 years, there have been 10,997 Double Up Food Bucks Arizona transactions. 6,054 of those transactions occurred in 2018.

Double Up Arizona Expansion

Double Up Arizona found a home at several new sites this past year. The program is now available at the Best Farmers Market corner store, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, the Farm Raiser at Concordia Charter School with Sun Produce, the Flagstaff CSA and Local Market, and the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market. Thank you to all the new sites who have partnered with us! We hope to add even more sites in the new year.

Let’s Grow Arizona

The legislative session last year included a huge step forward for farmers, families, and economies in Arizona. SB 1245 passed, securing $800,000 in funding for Double Up Food Bucks Arizona and other programs working to increase access to healthy food in our state. Way to go, Arizona!

New Team Member

At the end of 2018, we added our new Farm to Fork programs manager, Kelley Villa! In the new year, Kelley will be leading the Double Up programming efforts for Pinnacle Prevention. Kelley’s work centers on the value of farmers markets and the important role they play in supporting small farmers, bringing neighbors together, and building Arizona’s economy.

Double Up Voices

During 2018, we explored the importance of Farm to School Month and how schools in Arizona are helping students get more fruits and veggies into their daily routine. We also offered advice on how to get your kids to eat more tasty fruits and vegetables. To see more videos from Double Up Arizona, visit our YouTube channel!

2019 Goals

Here's what all of our Double Up markets are looking forward to in 2019, as well as some goals we'd like to achieve:
- To have more market navigators and ambassadors at markets to help new customers navigate and understand the various programs offered.
- Additional market promotion so we can reach even more Arizonans.
- More food demonstrations and education opportunities at the market to help customers connect with local food and local growers.
- Transportation solutions to help bring customers to the market.

​Thank you to everyone who has made this wonderful year for Double Up Food Bucks Arizona possible. So many great things were accomplished this year, and we can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for the program. To see what’s next for Double Up Arizona, stayed tuned to our blog, Twitter, and Facebook!