In 2021, Houghton Hancock and Calumet Farmers Markets began accepting Michigan’s Bridge Card, Double Up Food Bucks, and other local food assistance programs. Since then, from-the-ground farmers markets have increasingly seen more SNAP dollars used to purchase veggies from farms, bagels from bakers, and meat from local butchers. But with SNAP now paused federally, households must strike a new balance.
It’s things like that, right? Like, you know where those funds are going, even though with SNAP, it’s these federal dollars. But like, I know the person who grew that carrot that that person purchased that SNAP, you know, with their SNAP. – Gabriela Solorznao, Market Manager, From the Ground Collective
Gabriella Solorznao, a market manager with From the Ground, says that the 2025 summer market, food assistance sellers accounted for three quarters of sales, which has been increasing over the years. She says a couple of factors add to this, such as increased prices at grocery stores, resembling prices at markets, and more knowledge about programs.
our outdoor cool season market goes until November 22nd. And so that’s going to be greatly impacted, because now people have to kind of stretch what they have. the benefits that are currently in the beneficiaries, so if you have 20 bucks on your bridge card here in Michigan, those have been accounted for, no one’s taking those away. So what we saw this past Saturday, as I mentioned, people are redeeming like $5 to match the double ups to be $5. – Gabriela Solorznao, Market Manager, From the Ground Collective
One thing that people don’t think about is that every dollar of SNAP generates $1.80 in local economic activity. so SNAP freezing won’t just impact the people who will go hungry, but also that those SNAP dollars are spent locally. We’ll see local food economies take a hit at grocery stores, at farmers markets, and other food programs that are accept those SNAP dollars. – Racheal Pressley, Regional Planner, Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region
Copper Shores Bridges Director Richard Simpson says his participants have already begun working to support one another, working together to strike a new balance in their financial journey. WUPPDR Regional Planner Rachel Presley says as of 2022, 3,000 residents in Houghton County received SNAP. She adds the recent pause to funds could amplify rural inequities and challenges to food access.
We are seeing thousands of people losing access to their money to be able to purchase food. And all of our programs that we already have here are not enough to reach an already hungry population. And what will happen now is continued strain on these food access organizations to deliver and feed people. – Racheal Pressley, Regional Planner, Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region
Double up food bucks will expand this month. In the Copper Country, some efforts are being organized to support people in need. Bosio Biscuit Company will start a pay-it-forward program. Keweenaw Co-op will use the RoundUP program to support the Western UP Food Bank, and farmers are working on ways to support people.
Michigan has also provided $4.5 million to Michigan Food Bank Council to disperse across funds across the state. On Thursday the state senate passed a bill, if taken up by the house, could provide additional support while the federal shutdown continues, and leaves programs and funding in limbo.
The Keweenaw Co-Op shares on its website links to several food assistance organizations in the Keweenaw Peninsula. You can find more information about each below.
Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN)
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly
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