Double Up Food Bucks has rolled out a new virtual tracking system that will replace paper redemption cards with a reusable plastic incentive card. The move will improve reporting of the program by participating locations. According to a news release, the new technology has been introduced to farmers markets this spring and will be phased in at participating grocery stores throughout the year. Double Up Food Bucks has also received a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to provide technical assistance and financial support to eight local markets, food stands or Community Supported Agriculture operators to increase their use of the Double Up Food Bucks program. Double Up Food Bucks is a healthy food incentive program that allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to spend up to $10 a day on fresh produce at more than 90 participating farmers markets and grocery stores throughout Iowa.

Iowa Stops Hunger is a yearlong Business Publications Corp. initiative to bring awareness and action to food insecurity in Iowa. Read additional stories on Iowastopshunger.com.