Committee restores full funding for Double Up Food Bucks; bill amended to $2 million
Summary
Senators amended and approved House Bill 2385 to increase funding for Arizona’s produce incentive program (Double Up Food Bucks) to $2 million, which backers said would maintain 75 sites statewide and support local farmers and mobile markets.
The Senate Appropriations Committee amended and passed House Bill 2385 to appropriate $2 million from the state general fund in FY2026 to the Department of Economic Security to implement the state’s produce-incentive program, commonly called Double Up Food Bucks.
Witnesses — including Jesse Gruner of Pinnacle Prevention and Elise Gaitis of Activate Food Arizona — told the committee the program began in 2016 with eight markets and now supports more than 75 sites statewide, mobile markets and local growers. Gruner asked senators to adopt an amendment that restores funding to the program’s full operating level so sites would not need to close; the committee adopted the Farnsworth amendment increasing the appropriation from $1 million to $2 million.
Supporters said the program expands access to Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables, generates local economic activity and helps mobile markets reach food-insecure families. Gaitis said Double Up has allowed mobile markets to increase local produce in their inventories from under 10% to roughly 50% and that every dollar in the incentive program generates roughly $1.78 in local economic activity.
Committee action: The amended bill passed the committee with an 8–0 vote and two senators not voting. The committee gave HB2385 a due-pass recommendation.
Ending: With the amendment adopted, the bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration. Sponsors and advocates framed the funding as an investment in nutrition, small farmers and local food economies.
