SCHENECTADY, NY - Market 32/Price Chopper is extending its core commitment to help people feed and care for themselves and their families through a new partnership with Field & Fork Network, a nonprofit organization that works to alleviate food insecurity across New York State. Together, the organizations will introduce Field & Fork Network’s innovative nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), to select Market 32/Price Chopper locations in Schenectady and Onondaga counties. DUFBNY provides customers with an automatic dollar-for-dollar match on purchases of fresh produce, up to $20 a day, when using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

DUFBNY is a free, and often essential, resource for anyone receiving SNAP benefits that helps individuals and families bring home more of the fresh fruits and vegetables necessary to maintain a balanced, nutritious diet. SNAP is utilized by approx. 67,000 individuals and 37,000 households in Onondaga County, and approx. 21,000 individuals in 12,000 households in Schenectady County[1]. By investing in the infrastructure to offer DUFBNY, Market 32/Price Chopper is providing a valuable new solution to their most vulnerable customers facing pressures to stretch their dollars at the grocery store.

“Our collaboration with Field & Fork Network and the introduction of Double Up Food Bucks NY is a vital supplement to our ongoing efforts to help ensure nutrition security in the neighborhoods we serve,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market32/Price Chopper, in a recent press release. “Matching fresh produce purchases dollar-for-dollar will help reduce financial stress for our SNAP customers while empowering them to make smart food buying decisions that nourish their lives. We look forward to expanding the availability of Double Up Food Bucks NY in the future.”

DUFBNY was introduced in New York State in 2014 and is exclusively administered by Field & Fork Network. As part of its mission, the nonprofit works to build partnerships in communities across New York State with outsized concentrations of SNAP recipients to help fill financial gaps where it matters most. To expand DUFBNY to Market 32/Price Chopper, Field & Fork Network secured funding from federal and state sources, as well as additional generous funding support from The Wright Family Foundation and The Schenectady Foundation. However, DUFBNY actually reaching families in need at the cash register relies on the participation of local fresh produce providers and grocers to deliver the program at scale.

“Nearly one in four adults in New York State faces food insecurity[2]. Expanding the Double Up Food Bucks NY program to help tackle this challenge requires forward-thinking partners who share our vision of creating a more equitable food system that works for everyone,” said Lisa French, CEO and Co-Founder of Field & Fork Network. “We are grateful to Market 32/Price Chopper for recognizing the need and driving real change for their customers by significantly increasing access to fresh produce for nearly 50,000 families in Schenectady and Onondaga counties.”

To remove potential barriers and make benefitting from the DUFBNY program as easy as possible, the dollar-for-dollar match is automatically distributed via a coupon at the register when an EBT card is used and does not require any additional information to sign-up. To begin the partnership, DUFBNY is now available at four Market 32 stores in Schenectady County and three Price Chopper stores in Onondaga County, including:

• Market 32, 1640 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady
• Market 32, 2333 Nott St., Niskayuna
• Market 32, 1879 Altamont Ave., Rotterdam
• Market 32, 442 Balltown Rd., Niskayuna
• Price Chopper, 2515 Erie Blvd., Syracuse
• Price Chopper, 4713 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse
• Price Chopper, 5701 East Circle Dr., Cicero

Statewide, DUFBNY is currently offered at over 280 locations across 38 counties and growing. In addition to bipartisan support from New York State lawmakers and elected officials, health and nutrition experts also emphasize the critical role of nutrition incentive programs in improving public health, advocating for Double Up Food Bucks NY as an essential program.

"More than 100,000 New Yorkers have benefitted from the Double Up Food Bucks NY program, giving them and their families access to healthy, nutritious local food. I commend Market 32 and Price Chopper for introducing this program in-store right here in the 46th District and appreciate their continuing commitment to combatting food insecurity at a time it's needed most in our communities," said NYS 46th District Senator Patricia Fahy (D – Albany).

"The introduction of Double Up Food Bucks NY in Market 32 and Price Chopper stores in Schenectady is welcome news for SNAP-eligible customers to afford to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and stay healthy. Thanks to Market 32, Price Chopper and Field & Fork Network for making this wonderful program possible," said NYS 44th District Senator Jim Tedisco (R, C – Ballston Lake).

“Every family deserves access to fresh, healthy food, and programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY are helping make that a reality. Expanding this initiative to Market 32/Price Chopper stores allows more families to stretch their SNAP benefits, making fresh produce more accessible while also supporting local farmers and strengthening our communities,” said NYS 111th District Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara. “This is a program I fully support in the state budget because I know how important it is to ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. As a state representative, I remain committed to supporting efforts that expand access to healthy food for all.”

“Price Chopper and Market 32 have always been incredible supporters of our community, and their participation in the Double Up Food Bucks NY program is another example of their commitment to helping local families. Fresh and healthy foods are often more expensive than processed options, making it difficult for families on SNAP benefits to maintain a nutritious diet. With no registration or extra steps required, this initiative makes eating healthy easier and more affordable for SNAP recipients. I applaud Price Chopper and Market 32 for their leadership in promoting food security and wellness in our region,” said NYS 110th District Assemblymember Phil Steck.

“Food as Medicine programs that work one-on-one with people on Medicaid have shown that nutrition interventions can improve chronic disease and help people change their eating habits. Giving financial help to people at higher risk for chronic disease makes it easier for them to buy fruits and vegetables and improve their health. Since there is a push to lower Medicaid costs, programs like Double Up Food Bucks NY help protect the most at-risk people from chronic disease while also saving money for New York State,” said Beth Richardson, NYS Food as Medicine Coalition Manager.

“Double Up Food Bucks NY makes it possible for healthy food to get to more people, and the American Heart Association stresses good nutrition as a way to prevent heart disease. We congratulate and thank Market 32 and Price Chopper for making it possible for SNAP recipients to double their buying power for fresh fruits and vegetables. One of our guiding values is to meet people where they are, and this will help people live longer and healthier,” said Michael-Aaron Poindexter, chief program officer at the Regional Food Bank and chair of the American Heart Association’s board of directors in the Capital Region.