An important part of expanding access to farmers markets is food assistance currencies. There are a number of food assistance currencies that PFC facilitates at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, including:

• SNAP/EBT (Bridge Card) & P-EBT

• Double Up Food Bucks

• WIC Project FRESH

• Senior Project FRESH

While the WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH programs are administered through other Kalamazoo partners, SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks are distributed directly at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market and available to all with a Bridge Card.

How do I use my Bridge Card at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market?

Visit the Market Office to get started! The Market Office is in the center of the Courtyard, and is open during open Kalamazoo Farmers Market hours.

Market staff will run your Bridge Card for the amount you’d like to take off your card, and give you that amount in SNAP tokens. You can use those SNAP tokens at the Market to pay vendors for eligible products.

What can I buy with my SNAP tokens?

You can buy fresh Michigan grown fruits & vegetables, fresh herbs, food producing plants, mushrooms, maple syrup, honey, baked goods, jams & jellies, meat, dairy, & eggs with your SNAP tokens at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

Where can I use my SNAP tokens?

Kalamazoo Farmers Market tokens can only be used at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. Wooden SNAP tokens (worth $1 each) are tied to the farmers market at which you received them. SNAP tokens from other farmers markets cannot be spent at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

How do I apply for a Bridge Card?

Explore resources and apply for benefits on the MI Bridges website.

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How do I get Double Up Food Bucks tokens?

Visit the Market Office during open hours to get started! You’ll need to bring your SNAP/EBT card, Bridge Card, or P-EBT card. When you take $2 off your Bridge Card to spend at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market, you’ll get a FREE $2 Double Up Food Bucks token (up to $20 per day).

How do I use my Double Up Food Bucks tokens at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market?

You can spend your Double Up Food Bucks tokens with vendors to purchase eligible products.

Double Up tokens are worth $2 each. You cannot receive change for purchases made with Double Up tokens. Most products are sold in whole dollar amounts though, so you can usually work it out with the vendor. 

What can I buy with Double Up Food Bucks tokens?

You can buy fresh Michigan grown fruits & vegetables, fresh herbs, food-producing plants, & mushrooms with your Double Up Food Bucks tokens at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

Where can I use my Double Up Food Bucks tokens?

Double Up Food Bucks tokens can be used at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market and other participating farmers markets. Visit DoubleUpFoodBucks.org to find participating locations.

Farmers markets Double Up Food Bucks tokens cannot be used at grocery stores, and grocery store Double Up Food Bucks cannot be used at farmers markets.

Can I trade in my Double Up Food Bucks tokens for wood tokens?

No. Tokens cannot be exchanged for another currency. Double Up is an incentive program to help low- those in need have access to more fruits and vegetables.

Double Up Food Bucks is a low-risk way for you to try new locally grown, fresh produce! Check out the recipes on our blog for some ideas.

How often can I get Double Up Food Bucks tokens?

You can get up to $20 worth of Double Up Food Bucks once per day!

During peak season, our Markets are typically open 3 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), which means you could get up to $30 extra per week to spend on groceries by shopping $30 worth of SNAP/EBT foods at all three markets. You don't have to use all of your tokens on that day either—they're good all season! Some customers will save up throughout the year to buy flats of strawberries or bushels of tomatoes to preserve for winter.

Is this program is in grocery stores too?

Yes! PFC Natural Grocery & Deli, Park Street Market, and others also participate in the program. Visit DoubleUpFoodBucks.org to find participating locations and learn how the program works in grocery stores. The Double Up tokens are only accepted at farmers markets, and cannot be used in grocery stores.

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WIC Project FRESH helps to provide healthy and nutritious produce to Michigan WIC clients, while fostering economic development by promoting our state's diverse agricultural products. The program provides low-income, nutritionally-at-risk WIC clients with eligible, locally grown, fresh, unprepared fruits and vegetables from authorized farmers, farmers markets and roadside stands throughout Michigan.

What can I buy with WIC Project Fresh coupons?

Fresh Michigan grown fruits & vegetables, fresh herbs, & mushrooms.

How do I get WIC Project Fresh coupons?

The WIC local agency staff are responsible for identifying eligible clients and issuing coupons. To learn more, contact the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services or the WIC agency nearest you.

Can I use my WIC card at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market?

No, WIC cards cannot be used at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market.

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Senior Project Fresh is a seasonal nutrition program that provides qualified older adults with coupons to be used in exchange for fresh, locally-grown produce from authorized Michigan farmers markets and roadside stands.

What can I buy with Senior Project Fresh coupons?

Fresh Michigan grown fruits & vegetables, fresh herbs, mushrooms, & honey.

How do I get Senior Project Fresh coupons?

Lead agencies in each county are responsible for verifying eligibility, registering participants, and distributing Senior Project Fresh coupons. If you think you are eligible and would like to participate in the program, please visit the MDHHS website to locate your county’s lead agency.

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