Boston Expands Double Up Food Bucks Program to Dorchester, Roxbury

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced the expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks program to two new grocery stores in Dorchester and Roxbury. The new initiative will support low-income residents, including the approximately 143,000 Boston residents who participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), by expanding access to affordable and fresh fruits and vegetables at sites across the City of Boston. 

City departments have expanded Boston's Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program to two new grocery stores: Nubian Markets in Roxbury and the Dorchester Food Co-op in Dorchester. These additions join the following grocery store participants:

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Office of Food Justice (OFJ) have also developed a citywide marketing and outreach campaign about farmers market programs to help residents facing limited grocery budgets access fresh fruits and vegetables.

“No one should face barriers when it comes to feeding their family nutritious food,” said Mayor Michelle Wu in a City of Boston news release. “Thanks to our partners at the Boston Public Health Commission and Office of Food Justice, we're able to expand these critical programs to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables across the city. With this diverse set of initiatives, we're building a stronger food system for our community and making Boston a more accessible home for everyone.”

Overseen by the OFJ, the DUFB program allows individuals to receive a 50% discount on fresh fruits and vegetables. To receive the discount at point of purchase, customers can use their EBT card and request the Double Up discount.

According to the City's news release, Boston's DUFB program started in 2018 through a national grant. The City then received funding from the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, known as GusNIP, in 2021.