Gov. David Ige today announced the State of Hawai‘i will match a donation of half a million dollars from a hui of private-sector organizations toward the DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks program. DA BUX doubles the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits spent on locally grown food at participating grocery stores.
DA BUX is a program which began here on the Big Island as a collaboration between KTA Superstores and the Hawaii Island Food Basket, the Big Island’s only food bank, and the State Department of Agriculture.
Those shoppers on the island with a SNAP card and a DA BUX card in the past have had a $20 per day limit on DA BUX purchases. Hawaii Island Food Basket Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht says that through Dec. 29, 2020, the limit is now $50. In addition to locally-grown fruits and vegetables, people may now purchase locally-produced eggs and ground beef. That means people may get $100 worth of produce and protein for $50. Those wishing to participate need a DA BUX card, which they may get at all KTA Superstores Customer Service Counters. KTA is participating in DA BUX at all 7 of its locations, and is the only grocer on the island to do so.
Note that on Dec. 30, the limit reverts to $20 per day, and eggs and ground beef will not be able to be purchased under the program.
Several private-sector organizations secured $500,000 for DA BUX to increase SNAP buying power for recipients at participating grocery stores, such as KTA Super Stores and Times Supermarket. The state match increases that amount to $1 million that will be available for SNAP recipients to purchase locally produced, fresh and nutritious fruits, vegetables and proteins at participating locations statewide.
“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,” Gov. Ige said.
Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low and no-income individuals. Administrators are seeing a higher number of recipients as families continue to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cross-sector partnership includes contributions by the following state and private partners:
- State of Hawai‘i ($500,000)
- Stupski Foundation ($200,000)
- Ulupono Initiative ($200,000)
- The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation ($50,000)
- Kamehameha Schools ($25,000)
- Anonymous ($25,000)
The funds are in addition to $100,000 ($50,000 in each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021) appropriated toward the program by the Legislature last year, which has also been matched with philanthropic dollars to maximize a federal match.
DA BUX is a statewide program administered by The Food Basket in partnership with the Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance.
For a video that shows the process of purchasing food with a SNAP (former Food Stamp) card and a DA BUX Card:
Attached image is locations of KTA Superstores participating in DA BUX program.