Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette the Chassell Farmers Market has continually expanded over the past couple of years as more customers find more vendors.

CHASSELL — A recent poll conducted by EPIC-MRA revealed that Double Up Food Bucks is supported by 91% of its Michigan respondents. The poll of 600 active and likely voters in the November 2026 election was from June 20-25, 2025. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported strong support of the program, while an additional 13 percent said they somewhat supported it.

“The overwhelming support for Double Up Food Bucks among Michigan voters demonstrates that this program transcends party lines and political divisions,” CEO of Fair Food Network (FFN), Kate Krauss said in a July 8 FFN release. “When 91 percent of likely voters support a program, it’s clear that Michiganders recognize the common-sense value of an initiative that delivers a triple impact of real results for families, farmers, and communities alike.”The Double Up Food Bucks is a program of the Fair Food Network that matches SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) purchases of fruits and vegetables at more than 230 participating locations throughout Michigan, including an increasing number of farmers markets in Houghton County.

FFN launched Double Up in Detroit at the height of the Great Recession, in 2009. Today, more than 230,000 Michigan residents participate in the program every year, using their Michigan Bridge/EBT Card benefits (SNAP) at participating locations to match their fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day.

“That can translate to twice the fresh vegetables and fruits in one shopping trip, helping families buy the healthy food they want while providing an economic boost to Michigan farmers and keeping more dollars in local communities,” states FFN.

In 2009, the USDA reported Detroit’s Eastern Market began accepting SNAP benefits by using wooden tokens in 2007. In the beginning, customers redeemed SNAP benefits for the tokens at an EBT machine at one booth in the market. Due to demand by both customers and vendors, a second booth was added. By August 2009 over $137,000 in SNAP benefits were redeemed at Eastern Market, and in January 2010 SNAP sales topped $200,000. In September 2009, in cooperation with the Fair Food Network, Eastern Market piloted a 7-week program to offer an additional $10 in spending power to SNAP customers using benefits at the market via the Michigan “Mo’ Buck” vouchers (Michigan’s SNAP cards). More than 1,000 customers used this program during the limited time it was offered, yielding over $21,000 in SNAP sales at the market in 7 weeks.

With the continuing rise in popularity of farmers markets, many markets are increasingly expanding their participation in the SNAP program, allowing more people to access fresh, healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables, while supporting local farmers. with Double Up Bucks, people are doubling the amount of quality food.

In May, 2024, local farmers market group, From the Ground Farmers Market Collective (FTGFMC) announced its its participation in the Double Up Food Bucks program, administered by Fair Food Network. FTGFMC manages three summer and early fall outdoor markets located in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet.

“We’re one of the few markets in the region that accept Snap/EBT Bridge Card, Double Up Food Bucks, Up Food as Medicine and Aspirus Prescription for Health,” Gabriela Solorzano, FTGMC marketing manager said this past May.

The Keweenaw Marketing Association currently oversees two markets, the Chassell Farmers Market, and the morning Tori Market, in Hancock. James Niemela, co-founder of the Chassell Farmers Market, said the KMA is in the process of becoming participants in the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Niemela said the Chassell Farmers Market benefits from being with the KMA in a number of ways.

“It’s a way to streamline some of the food access through the KMA,” he said. “Ultimately, the KMA is working to getting some of the SNAP and other food access programs to the markets.”