The double up food bucks (dufb) project will take place in 8 of the most western counties of north carolina (NC), which include buncombe, haywood, jackson, transylvania, watauga, ashe, yancey &…

The double up food bucks (dufb) project will take place in 8 of the most western counties of north carolina (NC), which include buncombe, haywood, jackson, transylvania, watauga, ashe, yancey & mitchell counties. Dufb is a national proven model that matches snap dollars to spend on fresh, frozen, or canned produce. The goal of this project is to increase access to fruits and vegetables to snap/EBT recipients at a diverse array of food retailers throughout the region, while also supporting the local economy. Project outcomes include increasing fruit and vegetable access by providing a $1:$1 match for eligible participants to spend on qualifying products; increase knowledge about the program among participants, retailer staff, farmers, and agency partners; increase healthier eating behaviors and overall health among participants; and to strengthen the local food economy by offering this program at farmers markets and retailers where local products will be increased. The program will be offered at 7 farmers markets, 3 grocery stores, and 3 online food hubs across western NC.mountainwise currently coordinates the double up food bucks program at two small grocery stores in asheville, one farmers market in haywood county, and one farmers market in jackson county. These sites have seen great success; therefore, mountainwise aims to replicate best practices and establish evidence for dufb as a successful program in rural appalachian communities. The goals and outcomes of this project will be accomplished with a group of stakeholders invested in the program and by mountainwise's organizational capacity to implement successful programs in WNC.