How to Stretch the SNAP!

SNAP Facts
Written By Annie Roth

Key Takeaways

  • Double Up America doubles SNAP dollars to buy fresh fruits and vegetables
  • You can buy seeds, plants, and fruit trees with SNAP dollars
  • Other key ways to save - supplement with staples from your local food pantry, visit free summer feeding programs for children under 18, and use digital coupons

Introduction

With inflation and the rising cost of food, sometimes it can be hard to make a food budget stretch and not snap! (See what we did there? 😉) In 2020, the average SNAP benefit per person was around $121 per month, which is less than $1.40 per person per meal. We often hear from mRelief clients that the money on their EBT cards doesn’t last the entire month. While we advocate for increased funding, we know that many families are struggling to afford healthy food today. With that in mind, here are some ways to stretch those SNAP dollars to get more bang for your food stamp buck.

Double Up America

Did you know that certain farmer’s markets, convenience stores and grocery stores across the country can double your SNAP dollars spent on fresh fruits and vegetables? Double Up matches your spending on fresh fruits and vegetables dollar for dollar and is currently available in 25 states. This supports families trying to eat a healthy diet. It also benefits local farmers and local economies by keeping money in the community. According to the Fair Food Network, 759,000 families redeemed more than $20 million in healthy food in 2021 using Double Up Dollars. This supported 5,515 farmers.

To find out more about how Double Up works, and to find locations that support Double Up near you, visit https://doubleupamerica.org/.

Seeds, Trees, and Plants

The USDA estimates that for every $1 dollar spent on seeds and fertilizer, home gardeners can grow an average of $25 worth of produce. With SNAP dollars, you can buy seeds, starter plants, and even fruit trees! Some plants are even perennial, and will give you food year after year. This includes plants like fruit trees, herbs like thyme and oregano, fruiting bushes like blueberry and raspberry, and some vegetables such as rhubarb and asparagus. You may still be able to grow some herbs and small plants in pots or windowsill gardens if you do not have space for a garden.

You can use this SNAP Retailer Locator to find stores that accept SNAP near you where you can buy seeds, trees, and plants. It’s also possible to buy these items from farmer’s markets and Double Up on the gardening beginnings!

Local Food Pantries

Supplementing your food budget with staples and canned goods from local food pantries can be another way to stretch your SNAP dollars. To find a local pantry near you, visit www.findhelp.org and enter your zip code. You can also call 2-1-1 from your phone to find food pantries in your area.

Programs for Families with Children

If you have children who attend school, they automatically qualify for free school meals if your family is enrolled in SNAP. If your child is not receiving free meals, you may need to contact your school to enroll them in the program.

During the summer months, many areas have summer feeding programs providing free meals and snacks to children 0-18. To find a free summer feeding program site near you, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids, text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744 or call 1-866-348-6479.

Digital Coupons

Technology has changed our world in so many ways, and coupons are one of them! You can still use traditional physical clipped coupons from newspapers and magazines. You can also use apps on your phone that let you save without the hassle of cutting and remembering your coupons on your next trip to the store. Check out this site to find stores near you that offer digital coupons. You can also use rebate apps like Ibotta or Brandclub to earn cash back on your grocery purchases. You can use the SNAP Retailers Database to find out if a store accepts SNAP benefits.

If you or someone you know needs help with food–mRelief can help you get signed up for food stamps today!

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Resources

Annie Roth
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