(WNY News Now) – North Tonawanda – North Tonawanda’s Market in the Square partners with Field & Fork Network to introduce the Double Up Food Bucks NY initiative, aimed at enhancing access to fresh produce for low-income families.
Market in the Square, located at 535 Division Street in North Tonawanda, has unveiled its collaboration with Field & Fork Network to roll out the Double Up Food Bucks NY program. A press conference is scheduled for Friday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at the store premises within the Budwey’s Plaza.
The event will be graced by the presence of various local dignitaries and community leaders, including NYS Senator Robert Ortt, NYS Assemblyman William Conrad, and North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec. Market in the Square owners Brian and Nick Kusmierski, along with Double Up Food Bucks Program Director Josh McGuire, will also attend. Furthermore, representatives from several Niagara County farms, including Senek Farms, Seabert Farms, Canfield Farms, True To Our Roots Farm, Tower Farm, and Cornerstone Orchards, will be present.
Double Up Food Bucks NY, administered by Field & Fork Network, is a statewide nutrition incentive program aimed at supplementing purchases made through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at participating farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands, and retail grocery sites. Market in the Square becomes the first grocery retailer in North Tonawanda to embrace this initiative. The program matches SNAP purchases with a dollar-for-dollar incentive, up to $5 per day, specifically for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Upon purchasing fresh produce using their SNAP card, customers will automatically receive a corresponding match, which will be provided in the form of coupons printed at the bottom of their receipt. These coupons can be accumulated over multiple transactions for future use.
Josh McGuire, Program Director of Double Up Food Bucks NY, emphasized the importance of such initiatives, especially in light of heightened food insecurity in New York due to various economic factors. He stressed how the program aids families in stretching their food budgets without compromising on nutrition.
Nick Kusmierski, owner of Market in the Square, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s potential to promote healthier eating habits among shoppers while providing savings. Brian Kusmierski echoed this sentiment, highlighting the exceptional quality of produce available from local farms in Niagara County.
Throughout the launch day, Double Up Food Bucks will host free giveaways, with Field & Fork Network representatives available to offer further information about the program.
The incentive aims to encourage the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among participants while supporting local agriculture in New York State.
Acknowledging the significance of such programs, New York State Senator Rob Ortt commended Market in the Square for its adoption of Double Up Food Bucks, emphasizing its role in assisting families and bolstering local food systems.
Assemblyman Bill Conrad echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of supplemental assistance in alleviating financial burdens for households, especially amid rising costs.
North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec underscored the vital role of Double Up Food Bucks NY in addressing food insecurity while contributing to the growth of local economies.
Double Up Food Bucks NY, spearheaded by Field & Fork Network, has been instrumental in enhancing food access across New York since 2014. The program has facilitated over $10 million in healthy food sales, with a significant portion directly benefiting New York farmers.
Market in the Square, alongside Giant Food Mart, has been serving the Western New York area for twenty-five years, offering quality food at affordable prices and contributing to local communities.
For further details about the Double Up Food Bucks NY program, interested individuals can visit www.doubleupnys.com. Additional information about Market in the Square and Giant Food Mart is available at www.themarketinthesquare.com and www.giantfoodmart.com, respectively.
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