Press Releases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) continued his commitment to fighting hunger by highlighting efforts in Arkansas to ensure more families have access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Boozman visited Harps Foods in Fort Smith Thursday to learn about Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB). The Grand Avenue location was the first grocery store in Arkansas to participate in the incentive program that allowed families who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase locally grown produce at half the price. This retail store pilot mirrored the DUFB program offered at 18 Arkansas farmers markets. The pilot program ended Wednesday.
The goal is to reduce hunger and food insecurity in Arkansas, and get healthier foods into the hands of children and families who normally cannot afford fresh produce.
“It’s great to see businesses, non-profits and government agencies come together to combat hunger and find new ways to meet nutritional needs of Arkansas families,” Boozman said. “Both this pilot project and the program with farmers markets are encouraging community-based solutions and meeting the needs of SNAP recipients where they live and shop.”
Boozman is a member of the Senate Hunger Caucus and serves on the Senate Committee for Agriculture and Nutrition.
This DUFB pilot project involved a partnership between Harps Food Stores, the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, the administrative agency for SNAP and the Arkansas River Valley Regional Food Bank.