ABOUT
The Double Up Oklahoma (DUO) program is a SNAP matching program operated by Hunger Free Oklahoma. The program aims to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by providing up to $20 per day for fruits and veggies for every SNAP dollar spent at participating grocery stores and farmers markets. DUO is also present in select clinics as DUO for Health, which provides eligible physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with free patient education materials about the effective use of fruits and vegetables for glycemic and blood pressure control
DUO provides SNAP recipients with a one-to-one match to buy healthy, locally-grown fruits and vegetables when they use their Oklahoma SNAP EBT card at participating locations. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is automatically eligible – if you have an Oklahoma SNAP EBT card, you can use this program at participating locations.
At farmers markets, SNAP shoppers can redeem their DUO benefits by using their EBT card at the market manager booth to receive their SNAP tokens. The shopper will receive $1 in DUO tokens for every $1 spent in SNAP, up to $20 per day. DUO tokens are silver and can be used to purchase qualifying fruits and vegetables while SNAP tokens are typically wooden and can be used to buy any SNAP-eligible item just as if they were at a grocery store.
The ONIE Project leads process evaluation of DUO at farmers markets to ensure proper program implementation. Partnering markets receive annual site visits by an ONIE staff member where they are assessed on program execution. These site visits also provide an opportunity for market managers to ask questions and receive clarification on DUO procedures.
Current Efforts & Successes
ONIE visited all 19 DUO markets in the state during the peak season of 2023. Markets were assessed on completing five items/tasks:
- Recording information on customer transaction record correctly
- Reminding customers to return unused tokens/request only what is needed
- Proper handling of tokens by vendor (accepting tokens only for eligible items)
- Introducing the DUO program to new EBT customers
- Displaying DUO signage at manager booth
Each item served to ensure the program was being implemented properly and was recorded by evaluators as “Pass”, “Fail”, or “N/A” if the item was unable to be assessed.
Out of the 19 markets assessed, the average pass rate was 79 percent. Token reminders and DUO signage displays were the most frequently missed item.
Future Plans
ONIE will continue to hold in-person farmers market training for DUO as part of the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Summit (OKLAS), regular virtual meetings with market management, and on-site market visit assessments.
With their increasing popularity, ONIE will help develop a system to successfully implement the DUO program at farm hubs and will pilot the program at five locations.
Get Involved
Are you interested in accepting DUO at your farmers market? We’d love to help! Markets are eligible to be a DUO partnering market after one year of successful SNAP operation.
Applications to accept DUO for farmers markets open every winter. Upon acceptance of your application, a mandatory market manager & staff training follows at the Oklahoma Local Agriculture Summit (OKLAS).
If interested in becoming a DUO market or other related questions to DUO at farmers markets, contact:
Diana Prieto Marquez
Community Outreach Coordinator
diana-prietomarquez@ouhsc.edu