New York State Renews Investment in Nutrition Incentives for SNAP Users

Field & Fork Network receives bipartisan support for 'Double Up Food Bucks NY' in the 2026 NY State Budget, unlocking federal funds to expand healthy food access for SNAP shoppers statewide

BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Field & Fork Network, a Buffalo-based nonprofit working to increase healthy food access for low-income New Yorkers, announced today that its flagship nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), received a $2 million allocation in the 2026 New York State Budget, marking the fourth consecutive year of state support. This investment unlocks an additional $2 million in federal funding from the USDA's Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), doubling the state's impact for a total of $4 million that will be directly reinvested in New York's food economy.

DUFBNY offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users a free and automatic dollar-for-dollar match on purchases of fresh produce at participating sites, up to $20 a day at grocery stores, and up to $50 a day at farm direct locations, like farmers markets. With nearly three million New Yorkers currently receiving SNAP benefits¹ and food prices rising 23.5% since 2020², use of DUFBNY has surged by 256% compared to the same time last year³.

Field & Fork Network projects that DUFBNY will match $4.2 million in SNAP purchases of fresh produce in 2025. This will be the highest one-year match in the program's 11-year history.

Field & Fork Network CEO Lisa French said, "Double Up Food Bucks NY is far more than a nutrition incentive program; it's a triple-win strategy that delivers lasting food security for families, and economic benefits for farmers and communities statewide. This continued investment signals a belief from of our state's top leaders that every New Yorker deserves access to fresh, healthy food regardless of income or zip code, and that building a strong, sustainable food system is essential to New York's future."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "As an agency committed to helping New Yorkers meet their essential needs, we are grateful for our partnership with Field & Fork Network's Double Up Food Bucks NY, a highly effective nutrition incentive program that helps thousands of SNAP recipients across New York State purchase more healthy, fresh produce. It is exciting that Field & Fork Network has been able to expand its reach at a growing number of grocery stores and farm-direct locations across the state. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their continued support for Double Up Food Bucks NY, which helps improve health outcomes for SNAP recipients, strengthens our efforts to reduce food insecurity, and supports local farms and economies."

In addition to helping SNAP shoppers stretch their food budgets, DUFBNY stimulates local economies by boosting fresh produce sales. In turn, this increases revenue for hundreds of New York farms and reinforces regional supply chains. From January through June 2025, DUFBNY has generated an estimated $1.9 million in economic impact⁴, a number that will only increase following the July 2025 completion of the program's largest single expansion to date. In partnership with Northeast Grocery, Inc., parent of Market 32, Price Chopper, and Tops Friendly Markets, the expansion introduced DUFBNY to 16 previously unserved counties, reaching over 107,000 more SNAP users.

Since launching in 2014 at seven farmers markets in Western New York, DUFBNY has grown to over 320 participating sites – including farmers markets, mobile markets, farm stands, CSAs, small-scale grocery stores, and full-service grocery chains – across 53 of New York's 57 counties (excluding New York City), covering 85% of the state. Throughout 2026, DUFBNY will continue to expand into new areas with high SNAP participation, supported by a variety of community outreach programs to raise awareness among local SNAP shoppers about how and where to use the program.

Field & Fork Network extends its gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, and the lawmakers who provided bipartisan support for DUFBNY's continued success. The 2026 allocation was once again championed by Senators Michelle Hinchey (D-Kingston) and George Borrello (R-Sunset Bay), and Assemblymembers Demond Meeks (D-Rochester) and Angelo Morinello (R-Niagara Falls), who share a commitment to prioritize food security for all New Yorkers.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Every New Yorker deserves to walk into their local grocery store and afford fresh, nutritious produce. Double Up Food Bucks NY is a proven program that helps make that possible, and I'm proud to have championed its largest expansion yet. For the first time, Price Chopper locations in Catskill and Saugerties will offer this program, helping more of our neighbors bring home healthy food, while supporting our farmers and keeping more food dollars here in New York."

Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "Investing in programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY is one of the most effective ways we can fight food insecurity in New York, especially in light of recent cuts at the federal level to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As federal support for food assistance is being reduced, programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY are needed now more than ever. By making healthy, fresh food more affordable for our most vulnerable neighbors, we are addressing a critical public health issue. This program not only helps families put nutritious meals on the table, but it also supports our local farmers and food producers, strengthening our entire food system. I am proud to champion this initiative and its continued expansion, ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the food they need to thrive."

Senator George Borrello, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and representative of the 57th Senate District said, "Double Up Food Bucks NY is a proven, high-impact program that delivers real results for families, farmers, and our local economy. By helping SNAP recipients stretch their benefits to buy more fresh, healthy produce, it not only improves nutrition but also drives spending to neighborhood grocery stores and farm stands. That's a win for small businesses and rural communities like ours. With nearly $140,000 redeemed in my district already this year, the impact is clear and growing. I'm proud to support the continued investment this program needs to expand its reach and benefits across New York."

Assemblymember Angelo Morinello said, "I am proud to support the $2 million investment in Double Up Food Bucks NY, a program that strengthens our local economy from the ground up. This initiative helps families stretch their food dollars while supporting New York farmers and small retailers. It's a win-win that puts nutritious food on tables and ensures that local businesses and growers continue to thrive."

To learn more visit www.FieldAndForkNetwork.com and www.DoubleUpNYS.com.

About Field & Fork Network
Field & Fork Network is a leading food access nonprofit based in Buffalo, N.Y., on a mission to connect local communities to innovative solutions that foster a sustainable food system across New York State. The organization addresses issues of food security and the impacts of diet-related disease by delivering nutrition incentive and fresh produce prescription programs to low-income individuals and families in need. Field & Fork Network is the exclusive statewide administrator of Double Up Food Bucks NY, a free and often vital resource that provides a dollar-for-dollar match, from $20 to $50 a day, on the purchase of fresh produce when using SNAP. Visit www.FieldAndForkNetwork.com and www.DoubleUpNYS.com for more information.

¹ As of March 2025. Federal Actions Threaten to Exacerbate Rising Food Insecurity report prepared by the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis, Office of the New York State Comptroller, released July 2025.
² Federal Actions Threaten to Exacerbate Rising Food Insecurity report prepared by the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis, Office of the New York State Comptroller, July 2025.
³ DUFBNY dollar-for-dollar match total from January 1 through June 30, 2024; compared against the DUFBNY dollar-for-dollar match total from January 1 through June 30, 2025.
⁴ According to the GusNIP NTAE Nutrition Incentive Economic Impact Calculator.

SOURCE Field & Fork Network