On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22-23, eight Hawaii Island farmers’ markets will hold EBT Double Dollar Days, during which SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps) recipients can use their EBT cards to receive double the amount of
On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22-23, eight Hawaii Island farmers’ markets will hold EBT Double Dollar Days, during which SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps) recipients can use their EBT cards to receive double the amount of their food purchases.
On the EBT Double Dollar Days, EBT participants can visit EBT booths at island farmers’ markets and receive food bucks or a receipt for double the amount of their original purchase. For example, EBT participants can purchase $20 worth of eligible goods for $10 of EBT funds. The maximum per customer is 20 extra dollars. Thus, $40 worth of eligible goods may be purchased for $20 of EBT funds.
“Double dollars” may only be used at the farmers’ market at which they are issued. EBT recipients are encouraged to shop at participating markets early on market days, since each market will have a limited amount of “double dollars” to distribute.
EBT Double Dollar Days will be Dec. 22 at the Hilo Coffee Mill in Mountain View, Hilo and Kinoole markets in Hilo, Keauhou Farmers’ Market in Kona, Hawi Farmers’ Market in North Kohala, and S.P.A.C.E. Farmers’ Market in Puna. On Dec. 23, the special program will be in effect at the Maku‘u and Volcano Farmers’ Markets.
The EBT Double Dollar Days program is intended to give EBT participants the opportunity to purchase additional fresh, healthy, and local fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets during the holiday season.
According to Betsy Cole, The Kohala Center’s deputy director, “While EBT recipients can now use their EBT cards at eight Hawai‘i Island farmers markets year-round, we know that many families face additional financial pressure during the holidays. EBT Double Dollar Days helps make fresh, nutritious food affordable for Hawai‘i Island families during the holidays.”
EBT Double Dollar Days is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, The Kohala Center, the Ulupono Initiative, and the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program.
For more information, contact The Kohala Canter at 887-6411, visit www.kohalacenter.org/ebt, or inquire at participating markets.
