As Florida Recovers From the Storms, D-SNAP and Fresh Access Bucks Are Here to Help

Many Florida families and farmers are struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Feeding Florida’s Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) wants to ensure that individuals and families shopping with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT) and Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) are able to stretch those dollars to refill their refrigerator and pantry with fresh, Florida-grown fruits and vegetables.

assorted fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in a farmers market display. [credit: unsplash.com, alexandr podvalny]What is FAB And How Does It Work?

Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded, statewide, nutrition incentive program that increases the purchasing power of SNAP and D-SNAP recipients to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, produce stands, community supported agriculture (CSA) outlets, mobile markets, and community grocery outlets. Through FAB, with each dollar spent in SNAP/EBT or D-SNAP, consumers get an extra dollar for fresh, Florida-grown fruits and vegetables. No advance sign-up is needed.

Find out more at How FAB Works.

FAB For Hurricane Recovery

To help families, FAB has removed the daily match cap of $40 for all participating farm-direct locations, such as farmers markets, farm stands, community supported agriculture (CSA), and mobile markets. FAB also increased the daily match cap to $20 per visit for some participating grocery locations across Florida. Because of the widespread impact of these back-to-back storms and the impact on Florida farmers, the match increase will apply to participating FAB locations across the entire state, not only those located in D-SNAP counties. The increased match will be available through Dec. 31. (You can find information and details on D-SNAP below.)

FAB Locations

There are more than 70 participating FAB locations across the state. Find the location nearest you and details on their program at FAB Locations.

Who is eligible for D-SNAP?

To qualify for D-SNAP:

  • Applicants must NOT be receiving regular food assistance
  • Applicants must have been living in a disaster-declared county at the time of Hurricane Helene and/or Milton
  • Applicants must have suffered a disaster-related loss such as:
    • Damage to their home(s) or self-employment property
    • Loss of food
    • Reduction or loss of income
    • Other disaster-related expenses
  • Applicants must meet financial eligibility requirements
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Maria Portelos-Rometo is a UF/IFAS Extension Agent at Sarasota County. She specializes in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Posted: October 29, 2024


Category: Health & Nutrition, Money Matters, Work & Life
Tags: D-SNAP, Disaster, Feeding Florida, Food, Fresh Access Bucks, Hurricane, Pgm_FCS, Pgm_FNP, SNAP, Storm, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program


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