The “DA BUX” Double Up Meals Bucks program — which helps individuals who obtain Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, or SNAP, advantages put extra contemporary and locally-grown vegetables and fruit on their dinner tables — has expanded to incorporate all Foodland places all through Hawaiʻi.
That features 4 Huge Island Foodland places:
- Sack N’ Save Hilo, positioned at 250 Kino‘ole St. in Hilo.
- Sack N’ Save Pūʻainakō, positioned at 2100 Kanoelehua Ave. in Hilo.
- Foodland Farms Mauna Lani, positioned at 1330 Mauna Lani Drive in Waikōloa.
- Foodland Waimea, positioned at 67-1185 Hawai‘i Belt Highway in Waimea.
Foodland is likely one of the prime three most visited grocery shops for individuals who obtain advantages via SNAP — nonetheless typically generally known as meals stamps — and reaches a big section of the target market of “DA BUX.”
“Many [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] consumers already favor Foodland as their grocery retailer of alternative, making this growth a vital step in enhancing participation and guaranteeing that extra households have entry to contemporary, locally-grown meals,” mentioned the Meals Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s meals financial institution, in an announcement about increasing the prgram.
The Meals Basket, which administers “DA BUX” statewide, added that increasing the meals complement program to incorporate all Foodland shops within the islands will assist attain a bigger section of this system’s customers, eliminating confusion and limitations at checkout.
SNAP recipients who get “DA BUX” advantages obtain an entry card they swipe earlier than their digital advantages switch, or EBT, card at checkout to get 50% off qualifying vegetables and fruit grown in Hawaiʻi at taking part grocery shops.
The state in 2024 allotted $1.5 million to “DA BUX” — the most important state funding in this system’s historical past — guaranteeing better monetary stability for this system.
“DA BUX” additionally continues to depend on federal funds via the Gus Schumacher Vitamin Incentive Program, which requires a 100% match from native, non-federal sources.
This system, with its present funding and statewide help, is safe via the top of 2026; nevertheless, ongoing fundraising efforts stay essential to sustaining and increasing this system.
The Meals Basket mentioned further expansions are deliberate, with new meals hubs and grocery shops set to hitch this system later this 12 months.
There are 37 shops on the Huge Island that take part within the “DA BUX” program, together with:
- Hawaiʻi Farm-To-Automobile by Hoʻōla Farms websites at Puna Hongwanji Mission in Keaʻau, ʻŌnomea Farm Stand in Pepeʻekeo and Mohouli Heights Senior Housing in Hilo.
- Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative in Hilo.
- Keauhou Farmers Market in Keauhou.
- Kohala Meals Hub in Hāwī.
- KTA Tremendous Shops in Downtown Hilo, Hilo Pūʻainakō retailer, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Kona, Waikōloa and Waimea.
- Mālama Markets in Honokaʻa, Pāhoa and Ocean View.
- A number of “DA BUX” program pick-up places across the island.
Whereas no federal funding freezes are in place, “DA BUX” management continues to strategically plan for long-term sustainability.
Go to the “DA BUX” Double Up Food Bucks program website for added data and to study if this system can profit you and your loved ones.
