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The recent announcement that federal food assistance for over 757,000 Oregonians could be halted as soon as November has created profound uncertainty and anxiety. For the many families who rely on these programs, the question of how to keep healthy food on the table is now more urgent than ever.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the current landscape. While the future of some federal programs is in question, our region has a strong and resilient network of community-based support systems. Here, we'll walk you through the essential state and local programs, food pantries, and smart shopping strategies that can help you and your family secure the food you need right now.
Do You Now (Or Have You Ever) Received SNAP Benefits?
Leveraging Food Programs in Oregon
Oregon has a mature and effective network of programs that can significantly stretch your food budget, particularly when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Double Up Food Bucks: Get More Fruits & Veggies
The Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program is a game-changer for anyone using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program doubles the value of your SNAP dollars when you buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating locations, with a generous match of up to $20 per day.
How It Works:
At Participating Farmers Markets & Farm Stands: Go to the market’s information booth before you shop. When you swipe your Oregon Trail EBT card for $20, you′ll receive $40 in market tokens to spend on eligible items. You use these tokens like cash at vendor stalls for fresh produce and food-producing plant starts.
At Participating Grocery Stores: The process is even simpler at grocery stores. When you buy eligible fruits and vegetables and use your SNAP EBT card, you will automatically receive up to a $20 credit on your purchase. For example, if you buy $50 worth of fresh produce, you only pay for $30 from your SNAP benefits after the credit is applied.
Directly From a Farm: A newer part of the program allows you to use DUFB when buying directly from a participating farm stand. You can receive an automatic 50% discount on local fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, beans, herbs, and plant starts.
PNWCSA: Connecting You with Local Farms
The Pacific Northwest Community Supported Agriculture (PNWCSA) coalition connects low-income Oregonians with local farms through their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. A CSA share means you pay a farm upfront for a "share" of the season's harvest, receiving a box of fresh produce regularly. The PNWCSA’s program makes this model incredibly affordable for SNAP users.
Through the DUFB program, the PNWCSA will match up to half the cost of your CSA share. “If you have an $800 CSA share, and it’s all fruits and vegetables, the consumer will pay $400 on SNAP, and we will pay $400 on Double Up Food Bucks,” says Holly Hutchason, PNWCSA’s executive director. “The second thing we do is we spread the payments out on a monthly basis because SNAP is monthly.”
Using the $800 CSA example, a customer’s half would be split into five monthly installments of $80, making it a manageable expense on a monthly SNAP budget.
Other Key State Programs
SNAP: The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the cornerstone of food assistance, providing eligible individuals and families with a monthly benefit on an EBT card (in Oregon, that’s an Oregon Trail card) to purchase eligible groceries.
WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides healthy food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to age five.
Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program: Eligible Oregon seniors can receive vouchers to buy fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers markets and farm stands.
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Resources for SW Washington Residents (Clark County)
For residents of Vancouver and Clark County, Washington, a similar network of powerful programs is available to help you access fresh, healthy, and affordable food. While the names may differ from Oregon's, the goal is the same: helping you get more healthy food for your money.
Leveraging Washington's Food Programs
SNAP (Basic Food): In Washington, the SNAP program is called Basic Food. It provides monthly benefits on an EBT card to buy groceries.
SNAP Market Match: This is Washington's flagship program for doubling your SNAP dollars at farmers markets. When you visit a participating market, you can get a match of up to $25 or more per day, depending on the market's specific program. Participating Clark County locations include the Vancouver Farmers Market, Camas Farmers Market, and Salmon Creek Farmers Market. Simply go to the market's main booth, swipe your EBT card, and they will give you matching tokens or vouchers to spend on fresh fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs.
SNAP Produce Match: This program brings savings directly to the grocery store checkout line at participating retailers like Safeway and Albertsons. It operates on a coupon-based model. When you spend at least $10 on fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables with your EBT card, you will receive a $10 coupon printed on your receipt for your next purchase of eligible produce. There is a limit of one coupon earned per transaction, but no daily limit on how many you can earn in separate transactions. These valuable coupons expire one month from the date they are printed.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): This program provides low-income seniors (generally age 60+) with benefits to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs from approved farmers markets and farm stands. The program runs from June 1 through Oct. 31 each year.
It's important to note that the Double Up Food Bucks program is not currently available in Washington. SNAP Market Match and SNAP Produce Match are the primary, powerful programs for stretching your produce budget in Clark County.
Food pantries are a vital and welcoming community resource providing free groceries to individuals and families. The old stigma is fading as more people recognize that pantries are simply about neighbors helping neighbors.
Receiving SNAP benefits does not affect your ability to visit a local food pantry in either Oregon or Washington. These systems are designed to work together to provide a strong safety net.
The Oregon Food Bank Network
In the Portland metro area, the Oregon Food Bank acts as a central distribution hub, supplying a massive network of over 200 local food pantries, meal sites, and community food programs. This means that no matter where you live, there is likely a partner agency nearby. Many of these pantries have shifted to a "shopping-style" model, where you can walk through and choose the items that best suit your family's needs, offering a more dignified and less wasteful experience than the traditional pre-packed box.
Clark County Food Bank: A Hub of Community Support
The Clark County Food Bank is the central hub for a network of over 40 food pantries and meal programs across SW Washington. They are committed to a "no barriers" approach, meaning food is provided without requiring photo ID, proof of income, or proof of residence, ensuring access for everyone.
Finding Food: Their website features an easy-to-use Food Finder tool to locate pantries, hot meal sites, and mobile distribution events near you.
More Than Canned Goods: The food bank distributes a wide variety of food, including fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy, and shelf-stable pantry staples, much of it rescued from local grocery stores.
Mobile Pantries: To reach underserved areas, the food bank operates mobile pantries that bring truckloads of fresh and shelf-stable food directly to community centers, schools, and apartment complexes.
Home Delivery: For individuals who are homebound and cannot visit a pantry, the Clark County Food Bank offers a home delivery service.
Resources for Seniors
For older adults, dedicated programs provide crucial nutrition and social connection. Meals on Wheels People is a cornerstone of senior nutrition in the region, serving adults 60+ in Multnomah, Washington, and Clark counties.
Home-Delivered Meals: Nutritious, prepared meals are delivered directly to the doors of seniors who are primarily homebound. This service provides both a vital source of food and a friendly, regular check-in.
Neighborhood Dining Centers: Meals on Wheels People operates dining centers throughout the Portland-Vancouver metro area where older adults can gather to enjoy a healthy meal in the company of others.
Diners Club: The Meals on Wheels People Diners Club allows seniors to dine out affordably at participating local restaurants across the region.
Smart Strategies for Budget-Friendly Eating
Combining local food programs with smart kitchen strategies can unlock even greater savings and help you create delicious, healthy meals.
Shop Strategically
In addition to making use of whatever services and programs you’re eligible for, a smart strategy can help stretch your dollars further. Subscribe to the weekly Stumptown Savings deals newsletter to quickly and easily compare who has the best sales each week. Savers Club members also unlock additional resources to compare prices across stores, shop more seasonally, and more.
Another key strategy is to take advantage of dedicated discount days. Many local grocery stores offer a senior discount on a specific day of the week, though it's always a good idea to inquire at your local store, as policies can vary. In the Portland area, you can find savings at the following locations:
Fred Meyer: Shoppers 55 and older receive 10% off select items on the first Tuesday of every month. This discount typically applies to private-brand groceries, apparel, and home goods.
New Seasons Market: On "Wisdom Wednesdays," seniors 65 and older receive 10% off most items in the store. On Military Tuesdays, veterans can receive a 10% discount as well.
Albertsons and Safeway: These chains do not have a formal, company-wide senior discount. However, some individual stores may offer a local discount, so you should always inquire at the customer service desk.
Grocery Outlet: Seniors can receive a 10% discount every Tuesday at participating Grocery Outlets. Since each store is independently owned, you’ll need to check with the store’s management to confirm if they provide the discount.
Basic’s Market: This Hillsdale grocery store offers 10% off discounts on the following days: Tuesdays for military, and Wednesday for seniors. See the store’s management for details.
Don’t shy away from asking if your favorite local grocery store offers a special discount day for seniors; it never hurts to check.
Build a Budget-Friendly Pantry
A well-stocked pantry is the foundation of eating well on a budget. Focus on versatile, long-lasting, and inexpensive staples that can be used in a variety of meals.
Category | Pantry Essentials |
Grains | Rice, oats, pasta, tortillas, ramen noodles |
Proteins | Dried or canned beans (black, pinto, chickpeas), lentils, peanut butter, canned tuna or salmon, eggs, tofu |
Vegetables | Potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables (peas, corn, spinach) |
Fruits | Frozen berries, canned fruit, fresh apples keep for a long period of time if stored properly |
Flavor Boosters | Dried spices, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, fresh citrus (lemons, limes), fresh herbs |
Master the Art of Meal Planning
Meal planning saves time, money, and reduces food waste. It puts you in control of your food budget. Friend of Stumptown Savings Peggy Purdue has a simple way of approaching meal planning. Start by asking yourself:
Who are you planning for?
What are your goals and priorities?
Why are you meal planning?
When do you get hungry?
Where will you be shopping?
After answering those questions, you’re ready to address the How part of the equation. Start by taking inventory of your pantry and freezer. Using what you have on hand reduces waste and brings down food costs. Embrace themed days for a sense of stability and reduce decision fatigue. Build up a repertoire of no-fail meals — dishes you’ll eat (and enjoy) every time you make them.
Customize your plan for your life, your budget, and your needs.
Conclusion
Eating well on a budget in Oregon and SW Washington is not only possible — it's an opportunity to connect with local food, get creative in the kitchen, and build a healthier future for yourself and your family.
By leveraging powerful programs like Double Up Food Bucks and SNAP Market Match, utilizing community resources like food pantries, and adopting smart meal planning strategies, you can enjoy the bounty of nutritious and delicious food our region has to offer.
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Happy saving!
Bryan,
Founder/Publisher,
Stumptown Savings
