Outreach at Your Local Grocery Store: Double Up Food Bucks!

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Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program provides Americans who receive SNAP benefits, or food stamps, with a one-to-one match to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. Double Up is available at participating grocery stores and Farmers markets across the state, and volunteers are essential in spreading the word about the program. The focus is on grocery store customers through volunteer outreach and nutrition education. The Double Up Grocery Outreach Volunteer will educate shoppers about how the program works and is carried out in the produce aisle and at the register.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Explain Double Up to grocery store shoppers
• Assist shoppers in locating Double Up eligible produce at the store
• Walk and talk with customers to show them ways to spend SNAP dollars and Double Up effectively
• Serve as a source of information and referral to other local area social services and community partners
• Act as a familiar face to shoppers throughout the Double Up season (August - November), answering questions about the program

Time, Training, and Travel:

Time commitment will vary, depending on the phase of the program and volunteer preference.

Times to choose from:

• Thursday 4 to 7pm
• Friday 4 to 7pm
• Saturdays and Sundays 1pm to 4pm

Volunteers are encouraged to select a regular schedule of at least 2-3 hours during the time slots listed so there is consistency for the customers.

The volunteer will receive training on all responsibilities and policies relevant to the role. Training on the Double Up Food Bucks model in Michigan will also occur. Local travel to the grocery store(s) will be expected.

Advantages to Grocery Outreach Volunteer:

The Double Up Volunteer will gain the following from this role:

• Instrumental involvement in a growing nonprofit program in the food systems field
• Instrumental involvement in increasing access to healthy foods in Michigan
• Valuable customer service and community engagement skills
• Knowledge about healthy and affordable eating and shopping
• Establishment as a resourceful presence in your community

Volunteer Policy:

Fair Food Network believes in the principle of equality and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, height, or weight.