Wheatsville to double some SNAP benefits

Starting next month, Wheatsville Co-op will expand benefits for food stamp (SNAP) clients by giving a 50 percent discount on fruits and vegetables. The discount is made possible with help from the Sustainable Food Center and the Double Up Food Bucks Program. “Thousands of SNAP clients have used Double Up to purchase fresh, local produce at Austin farmers’ markets. Now, SNAP clients can access their Double Up benefits every day of the week and in two convenient locations,” said Mark Bethell, executive director of Sustainable Food Center, in a statement to the press. “SFC is expanding food access options for Austinites on SNAP and supporting local businesses, who in turn, support local farmers.” This July alone, almost 40,000 people received SNAP benefits. Wheatsville is the first grocery store in Austin to offer Double Up SNAP incentives.