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Use Good Food Bucks this holiday season to maximize your grocery budget!
We are getting so close to the end of the year which means the holiday season is almost upon us! Thanksgiving is this week and many of you will be sharing a meal with your family or friends to celebrate. While this can be a happy time it can also be stressful when trying to budget for groceries and other essentials.
Grocery Store prices have been increasing for some time and that has caused many families to make hard decisions like choosing between paying the bills or putting food on the table. Living in a high cost state like New Jersey hasn’t made any of these changes easier. Studies have shown that grocery prices in New Jersey have increased by 6.8% over the last 15 months, which is one of the largest percent increases in the US, according to ConsumerAffairs.
When it comes to the holidays even more expenses can make it really hard for families to make ends meet. This is why programs like SNAP and Good Food Bucks are so valuable. They aim to make buying food at the grocery store or market more affordable and accessible.
SNAP is a nationwide nutrition assistance program that provides food buying assistance to families in need. It aims to make food buying more accessible and affordable for families. In NJ more than 829,381 people use SNAP according to Feeding America, which means that so many families can have a chance to put healthy fresh food on the table. In New Jersey, SNAP is referred to as "Families First" and comes in the form of a debit card that can be used at markets and grocery stores statewide. Here is a link that can help you find a SNAP authorized retailer near you https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/benefits/ .
Good Food Bucks is a program that allows SNAP shoppers to get either a 50% discount off of produce or coupons towards their next purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. The program offers a dollar for dollar match so when you use Good Food Bucks, you are getting double the amount of fruits and vegetables! Good Food Bucks can be used at our grocery stores, farms or farmers market partners. Some of our grocery store partners include ShopRites of Newark, Sicklerville, and Lawnside. The program is also at ACME Stores in 8 counties in New Jersey. Here is a map of our program locations so you can find a Good Food Bucks partner near you.
For more information on markets that accept SNAP, check out the Edible Jersey or FDC Farmers Market listing to find a farm market open near you. This can be a great way to get local fresh food for your Thanksgiving table.
Spending time with your family or friends and sharing a meal always brings people together. The food that we eat reflects our experiences, traditions and the people we share them with. Making that experience easier and more inclusive is our mission. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving and happy eating!
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