The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s Food Bank, announces the “DA BUX” Double Up Food Bucks program has reached a major milestone, expanding to all Foodland locations statewide as of Feb. 28.
This marks the culmination of a multiyear effort to increase accessibility and streamline the customer experience for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shoppers seeking fresh, local produce.
With this expansion, DA BUX cardholders can now confidently use their benefits at any Foodland store, eliminating confusion and barriers at checkout, according to a press release.
Many SNAP shoppers already prefer Foodland as their grocery store of choice, making this expansion a crucial step in improving participation and ensuring that more families have access to fresh, locally grown food, the press release stated.
Foodland is one of the top three most visited grocery stores for SNAP shoppers in Hawaii, making it an essential partner in reaching a large segment of DA BUX’s target audience.
The program’s expansion to all Foodland locations represents a collaborative effort made possible by philanthropic organizations, state government leaders, county officials, and SNAP users who advocated for increased funding and accessibility.
The state in 2024 allocated $1.5 million to DA BUX — the largest state investment in the program’s history — ensuring greater financial stability for the program moving forward.
Additionally, DA BUX continues to rely on federal funds through the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which requires a 100% match from local, nonfederal sources.
Ongoing fundraising efforts remain critical to sustaining and expanding the program.
With this funding and growing statewide support, DA BUX is secured through Dec. 31, 2026.
Additional expansions are also planned, with new food hubs and grocery stores set to join the program later this year, further increasing accessibility and impact. While no federal funding freezes are currently in place, DA BUX leadership continues to strategically plan for long-term sustainability.
To learn more about DA BUX Double Up program, visit dabux.org.
