Pictured above at the Produce Department at Norm’s Hometown Grocery are, from left, Myra Warren, Sondra Lane, Norm Warren, Ro Tamayo and Marina Quiroz.
Shoppers using a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT card, formerly food stamps, can now stretch their food dollars twice as far at Norm’s Hometown Grocery. When customers use SNAP benefits to buy fruits and vegetables, they will get a free voucher to pay for fresh produce, dried beans, and edible plants and seeds on their next visit. Each SNAP penny spent on produce will be doubled for more fresh produce with Double Up Food Bucks.
This program is called Double Up Food Bucks Arizona. It helps SNAP customers access fresh produce, supports local businesses, and grows Arizona’s economy by keeping SNAP dollars local.
All Arizonans with active SNAP card balance are eligible for Double Up – no separate application is required. At Norm’s Hometown Grocery, a voucher will print at the register, up to $20 in matching Double Up benefits per day. Customers should note that vouchers expire 45 days from print and are not redeemable for a refund or cash.
Norm’s Hometown Grocery regularly works with local farmers to source fruits and vegetables, including butter lettuce from Winkleman Education Center near Dudleyville – available now.
Stated store owners Norm and Myra Warren, “Double Up will help more members of our community access fresh fruits and vegetables and get more food on the table. Shopping local just got even better!”
More than 800,000 low-income children and adults receive SNAP benefits from Arizona Department of Economic Security. 86% of Double Up customers say that fruits and vegetables have become more affordable for them by participating in the program. Stated ADES Hunger Relief Program Coordinator Marina Quiroz, “We’re proud to partner with Norm and Myra to offer this program to my hometown of Kearny.”
The program is operated in Arizona by nonprofit Pinnacle Prevention. This is the first Double Up location offered in the Copper Corridor region of Pinal County.
Double SNAP dollars now available at Norm’s Hometown Grocery, 345 W Alden Rd, Kearny AZ 85137; Monday through Saturday 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. All locations available at: doubleupaz.org/locations.