As of April 1, 2025, the statewide Double SNAP Dollars (DSD) Program funding through a grant from the USDA was temporarily halted with the reason being “Equity Award Payments Suspended”. The temporary suspension has froze over $100,000 in funding for nutrition incentive benefits (i.e. DSD match for fruits and vegetables on eligible SNAP purchases). The funding suspension does not impact the SNAP program and most markets will continue to offer SNAP as a form of payment to vendors. DSD incentives will continue to be available in Missoula County as these sites are supported through the Missoula City-County Community Assistance Fund through the end of June 2025. Additionally, Albertsons has dedicated to continuing the program at 13 participating locations statewide through May 2025. Individual markets and communities across Montana are working to fundraise to continue DSD programming on their own. Please check with your local market for DSD program information and how you can support local advocacy efforts.

Farm Connect Montana along with the Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition, and numerous other food security advocacy organizations, have begun advocacy efforts to reverse the funding suspension, as well as providing technical support to markets and program participants impacted by this unforeseen action. Farm Connect has been in contact with Senator Daines office to communicate with DOGE the importance of reinstating these funds. Montanans can contribute to advocacy efforts through writing a letter to the editor to a local news outlets, using the advocacy tools and drafted letter template below, and by adding their name to the Sign-On Letter put together by Grow Montana.

SNAP participants may return SNAP and DSD tokens from previous seasons to use as payment to farmers market vendors. We encourage market staff and vendors communicate the DSD program is paused and these should not be used for payment until further notice, but that SNAP can and should continue to be used as a form of payment for products. If DSD tokens are taken for payment, this will become a market expense until funding can either be reinstated or additional funding can be secured. Until then, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during these uncertain times.