Exciting Announcement about the Da Bux Double Up Food Bucks Program

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our economy in ways we never could have imagined and with that has come a larger need for food assistance then we have seen in a very long time. During the 2018 legislative session we worked to pass legislation that provided state supplemental funding to “Da Bux Double Up Food Bucks” program which helps families participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) buy more fresh fruits and vegetables. This program has been quickly going through its two-year funding as more people are using SNAP benefits in these uncertain times. We are excited to share that recently the State of Hawai`i  announced it will use federal “Cares Act” pandemic relief funding to match a donation of half a million dollars from a hui of private-sector organizations toward the DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks program (https://dabux.org/). Mahalo to American Heart Association National Board CEO-elect and You’re The Cure Advocate Ray Vara, President and CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health, for his assistance in advocating to Governor David Ige to release those funds for this purpose. DA BUX doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits spent on locally grown food at participating grocery stores.

"DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks” is a triple-win solution because it supports local farmers with an increased customer base, low-income families who receive double the purchasing power for healthy, Hawai‘i-grown produce, and our entire community by keeping dollars in the local economy.

All participating grocery stores offer 50% discounts on qualifying Hawaii grown fruits and vegetables to SNAP cardholders who scan their DA BUX Access Card at checkout. Participating grocery stores include Times Super Markets, Shima’s Super Market, Big Save Markets, and KTA Super Stores.

While we could never have imagined the increased need when we passed this legislation in 2018 we are happy to have played a part in helping to grow this program now benefiting our communities.