DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks

We will be hosting a special cooking class taught in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi this Saturday, June 29 in our Hilo office. Ms. Kiana Davis will teach us all about beans and have us stuff them into some yummy quesadillas! Make sure to reserve your spot at our Eventbrite page:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/papa-kuke-papapa-tickets-921850388327?aff=oddtdtcreator

Send a message to learn more

Use SNAP-EBT? You can get 50% off locally grown fruits and vegetables with DA BUX at food hubs! Find participating locations near you: https://dabux.org

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Food Basket is pleased to announce an extension of DA BUX discounts statewide until August 31, 2025.

With the support of strong program advocates, including many SNAP participant voices, we were able to secure enough cash funding from the State and philanthropy to safely extend the program until this date. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who submitted testimony for this year's DA BUX advocacy efforts for the 2024 State Legislative session. Our collective efforts resulted in a $1.5 million annual State appropriation! This is the largest State commitment to the DA BUX program to date.

Funds raised locally are being leveraged in the submission of a federal grant request to the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). If awarded, these federal funds will provide the necessary administrative capacity to further extend the program to August 31, 2027. We will keep you informed as we hear any further news regarding the outcome of this grant.

Start the New Year with Fresh Beginnings! Enjoy 50% off high-quality, locally grown produce with DA BUX. DA BUX discounts are extended statewide until August 31, 2024. We encourage SNAP-EBT shoppers to take advantage of DA BUX discounts while they are available.

ANNOUNCEMENT: DA BUX discounts are extended statewide until August 31, 2024.

The availability of DA BUX discounts are dependent on the availability of program funds. Since 2017, the majority of program funds has come from federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). While we work to secure continuation funding for DA BUX over the next 12 months, we must set a new program expiration date of August 31, 2024. This is the expiration of our active GusNIP grants and the last day we can confidently project our existing program funds will be able to fully support DA BUX operations.

We encourage SNAP-EBT shoppers to take advantage of DA BUX discounts while they are available. DA BUX offers a 50% discount on SNAP-EBT purchases of Hawaiʻi grown fruits and vegetables at participating grocery stores and food hubs. Find a participating location near you at DABUX.org.

DA BUX is a program of The Food Basket in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance. To stay up to date on the latest program news, please visit DABUX.org.

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Kīlauea Market + Cafe! This adds a location on Kauaʻi’s North Shore where SNAP shoppers can utilize their DA BUX Access Cards and receive 50% off Hawaiʻi-grown fruits and vegetables. is open seven days a week, so start saving on local fruits and veggies today!

Sign up for a new or replacement DA BUX Access Card at the Kilauea Market customer service counter. OR you can sign up online at dabux.org/accesscard, and we'll mail it to you for free!

Use SNAP-EBT? You can get 50% off locally grown fruits and vegetables with DA BUX at grocery stores! Find participating locations near you: https://dabux.org/

We would like to provide an update about our upcoming event! The deadline to register has been extended to Tuesday, Sept 5 and there is no longer a registration cost. Families will receive a $25 gas gift card for attending the class.

The class will be Sat, Sept 9 from 10:45am-12:30pm at DA BUX HQ (1284 Kilauea Ave Unit 1B in Hilo).

Register here: green_bean_journey.eventbrite.com

Have fun as a family learning how to grow and cook green beans! We invite families with children receiving SNAP-EBT food benefits to register for this fun in-person class taking place in two weeks on Sat, Sept 9 from 10:45am-12:30pm at our DA BUX Headquarters in Hilo (1284 Kilauea Ave, Unit 1B, Hilo, HI 96720).

The class will be taught by Kumu Koh Ming Wei of Center for Getting Things Started and Kumu Deanna Au-Wong of University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Food to Grow Program.

Be sure to register by Aug 31 to reserve your spot. Contact [email protected] or 808-437-3044 if you have any questions or issues with our online registration.

Register at: https://green_bean_journey.eventbrite.com

If you are a survivor of the Maui Wildfires and would like to sign up for SNAP-EBT food benefits, State contracted SNAP Outreach Providers across the state are available to help! For full contact information for your local SNAP Outreach Provider, visit:
https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/files/2023/05/FFY-2023-SNAP-Outreach-Providers-DHS-WEBSITE-4-19-23.pdf

Calling all keiki! Get your tea party hats and join Auntie Tiana, one of the authors of “Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawaiʻi in the Kau Wela Hot Season” for a fun-filled tea party to explore the wonderful world of herbs! 🌱🌈

You'll savor the aroma and taste of herbs and learn how to use some cool kitchen gadgets to create your very own magical tea! ☕

This free 25 minute class is based on one of many activities inside our Kai and Hōkū activity book series. Each book covers a variety of nutritious and delicious fruits and vegetables that grow in Hawaiʻi, and they're all FREE to download on our website:
https://dabux.org/keiki-corner

Mahalo for watching!

Have you seen Lone Palm sprouts at your local grocer? Did you know they are grown in North Kohala on the Big Island? Check out DA BOX CSA's blog post from their farm visit to learn more. And don't forget to buy your local Lone Palm sprouts for 50% off with a DA BUX Access Card at participating grocers. Sign up for your DA BUX Access Card at https://dabux.org/accesscard.

Meet your Producer: Lone Palm Farm, Hawi Lone Palm Farm was established in 1973. In 1996, Ruth, her husband and their son Stephen purchased the business. Ruth used to manage the office for the prior owners. The current production runs on a seven day a week growing cycle. In order to use only non-gmo seeds, the seeds are purchased from all....

Calling all young adventurers!👩‍🌾🧭 Join us for an exciting, FREE Zoom class Wednesday, June 21 at 4pm, packed with fun learning about nutrition and delicious 🌱 Hawaii-grown herbs! 🌿 Don't miss out! Register now to secure your spot and embark on a fun and educational adventure! 🌈

https://dabux.org/summer-solstice-free-zoom-class-for-kids

And don’t forget, families that participate in SNAP are eligible to receive a $30-grocery store gift card to help purchase the required materials and ingredients!

Looking for ways your keiki can keep busy this summer? Look no further! At our upcoming Zoom class, your keiki can learn how to make tasty tea to stay refreshed on hot summer days.

Register now for the Summer Solstice Tea Party hosted by Tiana Kamen (), an author of the Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawaiʻi book series!

If your family is a SNAP participant, you’ll receive a $30-grocery store gift card to help purchase the materials and ingredients needed for the class. All you have to do is register and attend! Limited amount of gift cards are available, so don't wait.

And don’t forget your new book “Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawaiʻi in the Kau Wela Hot Season” for the class so you can follow along with the recipe. Those are available for free download at dabux.org. Everyone is welcome, so don’t miss out!

Scan the QR code or use the link above to register. We look forward to seeing you on June 21! 🙂

📚🌺 We're thrilled to announce the release of our latest keiki nutrition activity book Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawaiʻi in the Kau Wela Hot Season! 🌞🌴

From hands-on activities to trying new tasty recipes, keiki will have a blast while learning all about the healthy fruits and vegetables grown in Hawaiʻi. 🍍🥕🌽

📥 Download your copy today and let the fun begin! 🎉 And if you're an educator or childcare provider, don't forget to reserve your copies by emailing [email protected]. 💌 Books will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. ⏳

🌺📚 Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to engage and educate your keiki! Get your copy of Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawaiʻi in the Kau Wela Hot Season now. 🌞🌴

Huge mahalo to our partners!
Authors and Project Development:
and
Illustration: .art
Graphic Design:
Keiki Heroes Partnership:

We invite you to sign on to a letter drafted by our policy advocate, Ulupono Initiative, asking Gov. Josh Green to allocate $3 million to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture's (HDOA) Hawaiʻi Healthy Food Incentive Program, aka our DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks program.

Sign here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F333Y9H

Even though a bill that would fund DA BUX (HB1248) received unanimous support through its four legislative hearings and each floor vote session, the measure, like many others, ran out of time as the session came to a close. Thankfully, the Legislature provided the Governor with discretionary funding for additional programs and services.

Let's not miss this opportunity to provide much-needed support to Hawaiʻi families and local food producers now when it’s most needed. We appreciate everyone who has already helped us get to this point!

Have you read the latest issue of the Hawaiʻi Retail Grocer Magazine? If not, you'll be glad to see DA BUX featured on the cover!

Hawaiʻi Retail Grocer Magazine is the only comprehensive magazine for the Hawaii Retail Food & Beverage Industry, and the official publication of the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association.

Mahalo to the HFIA for helping spread the word about DA BUX to both the community and the state's food industry!

Calling all Young Learners! 📚👧👦 Join the Fun with Our New Educational Video! 🎬🌈

🌱🔍 Your keiki will learn about the benefits of cooking with this nutritious and delicious vegetable, and even discover how to make a tasty fried rice dish! 🍚🥢

https://dabux.org/cooking-with-kai-and-hoku-green-onions

Plus, we'll take you through the process of planting and growing your own green onions! 🌱🌿 Perfect for curious kids who love to learn! 📚👧👦

Ignite Your keiki's Curiosity! 📚🔍 Join the Adventure with Our New Learning Video! 🎥👧👦

WE’RE ALMOST THERE! With your help, the DA BUX Funding Bill passed through the House AND the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee. Now, we humbly ask for your help to get it passed through the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Submit your testimony TODAY for the DA BUX Funding Bill (HB1248) on the Hawaii Capitol website. The deadline for submissions is Tomorrow, March 30 at 9:45 am, so time is of the essence. We genuinely appreciate your much needed support!

LET THE STATE KNOW DA BUX IS GOOD FOR HAWAIʻI'S FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY!

Click the link below and find the “Submit Testimony” button. Help us keep making locally grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for our SNAP ʻOhana!

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1248&year=2023

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY! Help us get the DA BUX funding bill passed through the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee! Submit your testimony TODAY on the Hawaii Capitol website (Link below)! The deadline for submissions IS TODAY at 2pm!

LET THE STATE KNOW DA BUX IS GOOD FOR HAWAIʻI'S FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY!

Click the link below and find the “Submit Testimony” button. Help us keep making locally grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for our SNAP ʻOhana!

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1248&year=2023

DA BUX NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! In less than 24 hours the deadline to submit your testimony in support of a bill to keep DA BUX funded will be closed. We need your help to get this bill passed through the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee! Submit your testimony TODAY for the DA BUX Funding Bill (HB1248) on the Hawaii Capitol website (link below)! Deadline for submissions is tomorrow, March 14 at 2pm, so we don’t have much time.

LET THE STATE KNOW DA BUX IS GOOD FOR HAWAIʻI'S FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY!

Click the link below and find the “Submit Testimony” button. Help us keep making locally grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for our SNAP ʻOhana!

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1248&year=2023

DA BUX NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT! With your help, we were able to get the bill passed through the House. Now, we need your help again to get it passed through the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee! Submit your testimony TODAY for the DA BUX Funding Bill (HB1248) on the Hawaii Capitol website! Deadline for submissions is Tuesday, March 14 at 2pm, so we don’t have much time.

LET THE STATE KNOW DA BUX IS GOOD FOR HAWAIʻI'S FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY!

Go to this page and find the “Submit Testimony” button. Create an account and help us keep making locally grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for our SNAP ʻOhana!

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1248&year=2023

Attention KTA Super Stores shoppers! The Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Co-op's products will be ON SALE starting tomorrow, Wednesday 2/22 till next Tuesday 2/28. You can find our colorful bags in the frozen food section. You can also receive a 50% discount when you use DA BUX! Mahalo for your support!!!

DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks

Good news! The State House Finance Committee is now accepting testimony for HB1248. This is an important step forward to securing State funding that will help extend DA BUX until 2025 and expand the program to more locations! We humbly ask for your support in submitting testimony. Any message about how DA BUX has benefitted you and your family will help. Testimony is due tomorrow Wed, Feb 22 at 11:30am and can be submitted at capitol.hawaii.gov. Please message us at [email protected] if you have any issues, concerns, or need help with submission. Mahalo for your continued support of the program!