Representative Chuck Isenhart - Food Insecurity Nutrition Program/Double Up Food Bucks Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Action Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Representative Chuck Isenhart- Food Insecurity Nutrition
Incentive Grant
SUMMARY: Correspondence from Representative Chuck Isenhart
requesting a letter of support and matching funds from the
City Council related to a grant application submitted by the
Iowa Healthiest State Initiative for a Food Insecurity
Nutrition Incentive grant that will support a Double Up Food
Bucks program through the Dubuque Farmer's Market.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Council
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Isenhart Correspondence to Council Supporting Documentation
Isenhart Letter of Support Supporting Documentation
Charles Isenhart
STATE REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEES
One-Hundredth District Environmental Protection,
Statehouse: (515)281-3221 Ranking Member
e-mail—chules.isenhart@legis.iowa.gov
I tat 11u, Economic Growth
HOME ADDRESS - Ways and Means
P.O.Box 3353 House of Repre Pttt'a'hUPS
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3353 APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Home:(563)557-1261 State of Iowa Agriculture/Natural Resources
Eighty-Sixth General Assemb ly
STATEHOUSE
Otis +tins,tluWa 50319
Thanksgiving Day --November 24,2016
To: Mayor Roy Buol and Dubuque City Council
From: State Representative Chuck Isenhart
Topic: Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant application
Dear Mayor Buol and Council:
Attached is my letter of support for a grant application to be submitted by the Iowa Healthiest State
Initiative for a Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant from the United States Department of
Agriculture.
If funded,the grant will support a Double Up Food Bucks program through the Dubuque Farmers'
Market and by other means for a three-year period.
I request that the Dubuque City Council issue a letter of support for the grant application, expressing
your intent-- as part of your FY 2018 budget or by other means -- to provide match funding in an
amount equal to or greater than $2,500,which is the amount I am personally committing to the
project, if matched by the City of Dubuque.
I will be unavailable to personally attend your December 5 meeting because I will be out of town,
however, a project team member will be at the meeting to discuss the project and answer any
questions you may have. The grant application deadline is December 12.
I thank you for your attention and consideration.
Respectfully submitted
0
Chuck Isenhart
State Representative,House District 100
Charles Isenhart
STATE REPRESENTATIVE COMMITTEES
One-Hundredth District Environmental Protection,
Statehouse: (515)281-3221 Ranking Member
e-mail—chules.isenhart@legis.iowa.gov
I tat 11u, Economic Growth
HOME ADDRESS - Ways and Means
P.O.Box 3353 House of Repre Pttt'a'hUPS
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3353 APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Home:(563)557-1261 State of Iowa Agriculture/Natural Resources
Eighty-Sixth General Assemb ly
STATEHOUSE
Otis +tins,JluWa 50319
October 24, 2016
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
As state representative for a legislative district with a high proportion of constituents qualifying for
supplemental nutrition assistance, I support the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative's application to USDA for a
grant from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program.
I commit$5,000 to match City of Dubuque and County of Dubuque funding for the project.
In 2016, I introduced legislation to include the State of Iowa as a partner to fund Double Up Food Bucks
demonstration projects at Iowa farmers' markets. The legislation did not advance because the local
communities committed to implementing the program were not well-coordinated at that time. However, I
helped negotiate an agreement in which the Iowa Food Prize Foundation granted $25,000 to the Iowa
Healthiest State Initiative for six capacity-building projects at markets throughout Iowa.
In 2017, I will re-introduce bipartisan legislation to make state funding available for Double Up Food Bucks
projects where local partnerships have been developed and local resources have been committed, based on
the successful experience of the pilot communities. The proposal will include an appropriation of money to
match any federal assistance received after July 1, 2017.
As of September, 10,831 Dubuque County residents in 5,141 households were receiving federal food
assistance. The participation rate of 55.9 percent is well below that of other urban counties in Iowa, such as
Scott(81.3 percent), Linn(69.1 percent),Pottawattamie (74.7 percent) and Polk(73.1 percent). When
expanded, the Double Up Food Bucks program will create a promotional opportunity to not only increase
the consumption of more nutritious food but also expand participation in food assistance programs
generally.
This is especially important given the socio-economic profile of the area I represent. Every elementary
school in my district has a free and reduced-lunch program enrollment greater than 50 percent of the
students, with three greater than 80 percent.
The Dubuque Community School District has documented that obesity rates in these same schools are the
highest in their system. Similarly, according to the County of Dubuque Community Health Needs
Assessment, 27 percent of Dubuque County adults have self-reported body mass indexes greater than 30.0
(indicating obesity),up from 24.5 percent in 2004. Most of my low and moderate-income constituents live
in areas designated as food deserts by the United States Department of Agriculture.
As a former board member of the Dubuque Food Pantry and former member of the City of Dubuque
Community Development Commission-- and as a participant in the National Conference of State
Legislatures Hunger Partnership --I have had a long-standing interest in fighting hunger.
I am a member of the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture and Natural Resources in the
Iowa General Assembly. Local food system development to improve public health and diversify our
agricultural economy is among my top five legislative priorities for 2017.
I have communicated the following to the City of Dubuque and County of Dubuque:
"With respect to local foods,we can increase economic vitality, improve population health, eliminate food
insecurity and food deserts,reduce carbon pollution,preserve the landscape through water quality/soil health,
provide educational opportunities for young people,repopulate and regenerate rural communities, enhance
cultural vibrancy, and foster greater ethnic and racial diversity by:
A)Participating in partnerships to support the development of the driftless area local/regional food
system with ISU Extension and Outreach, Northeast Iowa Community College and other entities;
B) Through the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative,joining in a statewide grant application to the federal
Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program and support state and local funding for the Double Up
Food Bucks program for beneficiaries of the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
C) Advocating for a state appropriation to the Local Farm and Food Trust Fund;
D)Expand efforts to address diet-related illnesses --as outlined in various health needs assessments --
and partner with school districts, cities, counties,the state Department of Education, local hospitals
and the Hunger Partnership of the National Conference of State Legislatures to explore the viability
of universal free school breakfast to enhance child nutrition and educational attainment."
Participating in the USDA Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive Program fits squarely within my interests,
the interests of our community and these legislative priorities.
I ask for your favorable consideration, and I thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Charles Isenhart
State Representative,
Iowa House District 100
c: Roy Buol,Mayor, City of Dubuque
Wayne Demmer, Chair,Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
Diane Hanson, Chair, Dubuque County Extension Council
THE CITY OF
DuB
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
AII•AmericaCity
11111
2007. 2012 •2013
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
Office of the Mayor
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
www.cityofdubuque.org
December 6, 2016
The City of Dubuque is proud to partner with local community organizations including
Dubuque Main Street, the hosts of our local Farmers' Market and with communities across
the state in support of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative's proposal to USDA Food Insecurity
Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI) for the Iowa SNAP Incentives Program: (Double Up Food
Bucks).
At the December 5, 2016 City Council meeting, the City Council voted to express our intent to
provide matching funds for the Iowa SNAP Incentive Project for the 2017 Farmers' Market
season in the amount of $2,500 during our next budgeting session. We also commit to our
continued staff engagement in the Local Food Systems Working Group (Dubuque Eats Well)
to monitor, and contribute to the success of this healthy food incentives program.
This program will help improve the nutritional health of low income residents of Dubuque, and
help us achieve our community goals as they relate to fostering greater health equity. In
addition, the Double Up Food Bucks Program aligns well with our goals to become a model
sustainable community by supporting the development of viable local food systems.
In our most recent goal setting process, the City Council added the concept of equity, both in
the community vision and mission statement and identified carrying out the Inclusive
Dubuque Action Plan as a top priority. This plan includes supporting strategies which improve
health equity by ensuring equitable access to healthy local foods. In addition, we identified
carrying out the Community Health Needs Assessment Health Improvement Plan as a high
priority. This plan includes the specific actions of supporting local food systems development
and supporting fruit and vegetable production. The Double Up Food Bucks program is an
innovative program which supports the community in achieving both of these goals.
FINI Review Panel
December 6, 2016
Page 2
We therefore express with this letter our intention to allocate $2,500 in the FY2018 City of
Dubuque Budget to the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI) for the 2017
Farmers' Market season.
Sincer
Roy D. Buol
Mayor
RDB:jh
Dubuque Double Up Food Bucks Healthy Food Incentive Program
FINI Letters of Support & Partnership Secured as of Friday 12/2/2016
NOTE: FIN I Application with completed budget is due 12/12/2016
Type of
Commitment
In -Kind Value
Letter Received
Cash Value
Dubuque Main Street
Partner
$5,300
Y
0
Iowa State University
Extension & Outreach
Partner
$21,500
Y
0
Representative Chuck
Isenhart
Funder
-
Waiting to finalize
after city/county
meetings
Up to $5,000 match
for County/City funds
contributed
Mercy Health
Funder
-
Y
$2,500
American Trust
Funder
-
N
$3,000
City of Dubuque
Funder
-
N - meeting 12/5
$2,500
Dubuque County
Funder
-
N- meeting 12/5
$2,500
Total Cash
$5,500- $15,500
Total In-kind
$26,800
Total Value (Cash
+ In Kind)
$26,800 (in kind)
+$5,500-$15,500 =
$32,300-$42,300
Total potential
funds available for
DUFB match in
2017
$5,500-$15,500
Note: This number
doubles if FINI grant
is received
PLEASE PLACE ON LETTERHEAD
KEEP IN 12 PT FONT, 1" MARGINS
[[ PLEASE DO NOT COPY VERBATIM. ALSO, LETTERS SHOULD NOT APPEAR TO REVIEWERS LIKE THEY ARE COMING FROM A TEMPLATE. ]]
DATE
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
The City of Dubuque is proud to partner with local community organizations including Dubuque
Main Street, the hosts of our local Farmers' Market and with communities across state in
support of the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative's proposal to USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition
Incentive Program (FINI) for the Iowa SNAP Incentives Program: (Double Up Food Bucks).
With this letter, The City of Dubuque expresses our intent to provide matching funds for the
Iowa SNAP Incentive Project for the 2017 Farmers' Market season in the amount of $2,500
during our next budgeting session. We also commit to our continued staff engagement in the
Local Food Systems Working Group (Dubuque Eats Well) to monitor, and contribute to the
success of this healthy food incentives program.
This program will help improve the nutritional health of low income residents of Dubuque, and
help us achieve our community goals as they relate to fostering greater health equity. In
addition, the Double Up Food Bucks Program aligns well with our goals to become a model
sustainable community by supporting the development of viable local food systems.
In our most recent goal setting process, we identified carrying out the Inclusive Dubuque Action
Plan, as a top priority. This plan includes supporting strategies which improve health equity by
ensuring equitable access to healthy local foods. In addition, we identified carrying out the
Community Health Needs Assessment Health Improvement Plan as a high priority. This plan
includes the specific actions of supporting local food systems development and supporting fruit
and vegetable production. The Double Up Food Bucks program is an innovative program which
supports the community in achieving both of these goals.
We therefore express with this letter our intention to allocate to $2,500 in the FY2018 City of
Dubuque Budget to the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI) for the 2017
Farmers' Market season.
Sincerely,
Dubuque City Council Members and Mayor,
Signature Here (no typed signatures, electronically inserted signatures are OK)
NAME
TITLE
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
I/Merc
MEDICAL CENTER
DUBUQUE
A member of Mercy Health network
250 Mercy Drive
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
563.589.8000
A Magnet Hospital
December 2, 2016
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
On behalf of Mercy Medical Center Dubuque, it is my pleasure to provide a letter of support for
the Iowa SNAP Incentive Project proposed by the Iowa's Healthiest State Initiative (IHSI) in the
application to the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FIND.
Through our involvement in the Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit, spearheaded by the Iowa State
Extension office, we have seen the positive impact Double Up Food Bucks has made with low-
income families to provide access to local fresh fruit and vegetables. The goal is to connect with
allies in the community to help alleviate generational poverty while supporting area fruit and
vegetable farmers.
This initiative fits perfectly with Mercy's mission to improve the health and wellbeing of
individuals who reside in the communities we serve. We are pleased to invest $2,500 in
matching funds because we believe this project will result in a powerful shift of SNAP
throughout the region and help improve the lives of Iowans through better nutrition.
Sincerely,
�v1
Kay L. Takes
President
Charles Isenhart
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
One -Hundredth District
Statehouse: (515) 281-3221
e-mail — charles.isenhart@legis.iowa.gov
HOME ADDRESS
P.O. Box 3353
Dubuque, Iowa 52004-3353
Home: (563) 557-1261
October 24, 2016
'Roust of +&epri »intattui
State of Iowa
Eighty -Sixth General Assembly
STATEHOUSE
BO Moines, Juwa 5t131R
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
COMMITTEES
Environmental Protection,
Ranking Member
Economic Growth
Ways and Means
APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Agiiculture/Natural Resources
As state representative for a legislative district with a high proportion of constituents qualifying for
supplemental nutrition assistance, I support the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative's application to USDA for a
grant from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program.
I commit $5,000 to match City of Dubuque and County of Dubuque funding for the project.
In 2016, I introduced legislation to include the State of Iowa as a partner to fund Double Up Food Bucks
demonstration projects at Iowa farmers' markets. The legislation did not advance because the local
communities committed to implementing the program were not well -coordinated at that time. However, I
helped negotiate an agreement in which the Iowa Food Prize Foundation granted $25,000 to the Iowa
Healthiest State Initiative for six capacity -building projects at markets throughout Iowa.
In 2017, I will re -introduce bipartisan legislation to make state funding available for Double Up Food Bucks
projects where local partnerships have been developed and local resources have been committed, based on
the successful experience of the pilot communities. The proposal will include an appropriation of money to
match any federal assistance received after July 1, 2017.
As of September, 10,831 Dubuque County residents in 5,141 households were receiving federal food
assistance. The participation rate of 55.9 percent is well below that of other urban counties in Iowa, such as
Scott (81.3 percent), Linn (69.1 percent), Pottawattamie (74.7 percent) and Polk (73.1 percent). When
expanded, the Double Up Food Bucks program will create a promotional opportunity to not only increase
the consumption of more nutritious food but also expand participation in food assistance programs
generally.
This is especially important given the socio-economic profile of the area I represent. Every elementary
school in my district has a free and reduced -lunch program enrollment greater than 50 percent of the
students, with three greater than 80 percent.
The Dubuque Community School District has documented that obesity rates in these same schools are the
highest in their system. Similarly, according to the County of Dubuque Community Health Needs
Assessment, 27 percent of Dubuque County adults have self-reported body mass indexes greater than 30.0
(indicating obesity), up from 24.5 percent in 2004. Most of my low and moderate -income constituents live
in areas designated as food deserts by the United States Department of Agriculture.
As a former board member of the Dubuque Food Pantry and former member of the City of Dubuque
Community Development Commission -- and as a participant in the National Conference of State
Legislatures Hunger Partnership -- I have had a long-standing interest in fighting hunger.
I am a member of the Joint Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture and Natural Resources in the
Iowa General Assembly. Local food system development to improve public health and diversify our
agricultural economy is among my top five legislative priorities for 2017.
I have communicated the following to the City of Dubuque and County of Dubuque:
"With respect to local foods, we can increase economic vitality, improve population health, eliminate food
insecurity and food deserts, reduce carbon pollution, preserve the landscape through water quality/soil health,
provide educational opportunities for young people, repopulate and regenerate rural communities, enhance
cultural vibrancy, and foster greater ethnic and racial diversity by:
A) Participating in partnerships to support the development of the driftless area local/regional food
system with ISU Extension and Outreach, Northeast Iowa Community College and other entities;
B) Through the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, joining in a statewide grant application to the federal
Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program and support state and local funding for the Double Up
Food Bucks program for beneficiaries of the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
C) Advocating for a state appropriation to the Local Faitn and Food Trust Fund;
D) Expand efforts to address diet -related illnesses -- as outlined in various health needs assessments --
and partner with school districts, cities, counties, the state Department of Education, local hospitals
and the Hunger Partnership of the National Conference of State Legislatures to explore the viability
of universal free school breakfast to enhance child nutrition and educational attainment."
Participating in the USDA Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive Program fits squarely within my interests,
the interests of our community and these legislative priorities.
I ask for your favorable consideration, and I thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Charles Isenhart
State Representative,
Iowa House District 100
c: Roy Buol, Mayor, City of Dubuque
Wayne Demmer, Chair, Dubuque County Board of Supervisors
Diane Hanson, Chair, Dubuque County Extension Council
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Extension and Outreach
December 1, 2016
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
Community and Economic Development
2321 North Loop Drive, Suite 121
Ames, IA 50010-8218
515-294-8397
FAX 515-294-1354
With this letter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach confirms its commitment
to partner in the Iowa SNAP Incentive Project (Double Up Food Bucks) proposed by the
Iowa Healthiest State Initiative (HSI) in the application to USDA Food Insecurity
Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI Program). Iowa State University Extension and
Outreach brings a range of resources to the Double Up Food Bucks project, including
County staff who service all 99 counties in Iowa, research -based educational materials,
design expertise, online resources through Spend Smart Eat Smart suite of tools. ISU
Extension and Outreach also serves as a SNAP -ED implementing agency and ISU
Snap -Ed will fully support the DUFB initiative.
We are committed to providing unbiased, research -based education and resources to
improve quality of life for all Iowans. We excitedly await the expansion of Double Up
Food Bucks across the state, as Double Up Food Bucks helps reduce barriers to fresh
fruits and vegetables among SNAP participants. We are committed to supporting the
project's success through educational opportunities and materials that empower SNAP
shoppers to purchase, store, clean and prepare fresh produce.
During the pilot, the coordinated effort of the HSI, and the six partnering Farmers'
Markets pilot of the 2016 DUFB program has already shown a significant improvement
in SNAP usage, bringing over 800 new SNAP participants to Farmers' Markets for the
first time, and have collectively taken home over $11,000 worth of fresh, healthy
produce from local growers in the first year.
Collaboration from ISU Extension & Outreach partners will include:
• Christine Hradek, MPH: SNAP -Ed Coordinator with Human Sciences Extension
and Outreach
• Courtney Long: Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit- ISU Extension and Outreach
Community Economic Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Chad Hunter: Iowa State University Community Design Lab
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
Extension and Outreach
Community and Economic Development
2321 North Loop Drive, Suite 121
Ames, IA 50010-8218
515-294-8397
FAX 515-294-1354
• County -based staff:
o Teresa Wiemerslage - Regional Program Coordinator
o Carolyn Scherf- Local Food Coordinator
o Human Sciences Specialists in each participating region
Through a partnership between SNAP -Ed, the Agricultural Urbanism Toolkitand The
ISU Community Design lab, Extension will partner with communities to create or adapt
the following:
• Electronic Toolkit for market managers including:
o A video for about how Double Up Food Bucks works (consumer and
vendor appropriate)
o Way -finding signage to help SNAP participants find the centralized EBT
stations, vendors, etc. (ex: Double Up Food Bucks feather banner),
o Branding package and templates for state-wide, community, and market
promotional materials including postcards, flyers, signs, etc.
o Seasonal produce guides for producers and consumers, including
instructions for selecting, storing, and preparing foods. Recipe guides will
utilize Spend Smart Eat Smart materials and include talking points
appropriate to the month/season
• On-site educational activities and taste -testing guides for food safety; developed
for kids and families and will include recipes, nutrition education and resources
A good faith estimate of the in-kind contribution to this project has been
calculated at $21,500, with $18,000 from SNAP -Ed for design of materials,
printing, and on-site training; and 3,500 for in-kind development.
The work we will do as part of this collaborative project led by HSI has the potential to
result in hundreds of thousands of healthy meals and snacks consumed by tens of
thousands of Iowans with low income each year. If the proposed project is funded, we
will work to ensure its overall success, which we believe will result in a powerful shift in
the use of SNAP dollars across Iowa.
Sincerely,
Chko
Christine Hradek, MPH Courtney Lo 'g, MS Carolyn Scherf
Food and Nutrition Program Local Food
State Specialist Coordinator Coordinator
Teresa
Wiemerslage
Regional Program
Coordinator
From: Lynne Hager[mailto:lhager@americantrust.corn]
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2016 10:24 AM
To: Michaela M. Freiburger (michaela@dubuquemainstreet.org)
Subject: Double Up Bucks sponsorship
Good morning Michaela, I am following up with your voicemail from a couple of days ago regarding the Double
Up Bucks sponsorship.
Tentatively, I have $3,000.00 ear -marked for the Double Up sponsorship. This amount is not set in stone since
the budget process has just started. I will have a better idea in a few weeks if the sponsorship remained in the
budget and/or at the $3,000.00 level. We will relook at this sponsorship on a yearly basis about this time of
year.
Thanks Michaela, I will be in touch.
Have a nice Thanksgiving,
Lynne Hager
Second Vice President, Marketing
American Trust & Savings Bank
895 Main Street
Dubuque IA 52004-0938
Phone: 563.589.0844
Fax: 563.589.0867
Email: Ihager@americantrust.com
Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender
Discover our Four Point Approach at www.downtowndubuque.org
November 15, 2016
FINI Review Panel
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Centre
800 9th St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
Dear FINI Review Panel:
DUBUQUE
MAIN STREET
With this letter, Dubuque Main Street confirms its commitment to be a partner in the Iowa SNAP Incentive
Project proposed by Iowa's Healthiest State in the application to USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI
Program).
The mission of Dubuque Main Street, a not for profit, is dedicated to the development and ongoing support of
downtown as THE place in our community to live, work and, play. Dubuque Main Street has successfully participated in
the SNAP incentive programs by managing the Dubuque Farmers' Market weekly and vendor functions. We promoted
the Double Up Food Bucks program through our community and integrated in discussions to secure sponsors. Through
this application we propose to partner with several other organizations in Iowa to run a successful incentive program.
Our work has made a significant difference to SNAP users in Dubuque and the surrounding area. We have
benefitted through informal collaboration with other area SNAP incentive programs. Through this application we
propose to join forces with these other programs to create a comprehensive SNAP incentive program, not only in
Dubuque, but throughout Iowa. We have been guided in our work by Iowa's Healthiest State, a national leader in SNAP
incentive program development, implementation and evaluation. We firmly believe that, as a team, core project
partners will greatly increase the purchase of fresh, locally -grown fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers
participating in SNAP.
Specifically, Dubuque Main Street commits to continuous promotion and structural support of the program. Our
promotion will occur via our social media feeds, Dubuque Farmers' Market sponsorship requests, with continuous press
releases, and other promotional opportunities. Dubuque Main Street manages the Dubuque Farmers' Market, and we
will assist in securing vendors for the Double Up Food Bucks program and provide the booth to provide customers with
tokens for the program. We will assist in keeping statistics and reimbursing vendors for their tokens.
If funded, the proposed project will allow us to expand existing programming. It will also allow us to increase our
impact, efficiency, innovation and understanding through collaborative work in the areas of program operations,
marketing and evaluation. None of the work outlined for our organization will duplicate or supplant existing funding.
Instead the proposed work will leverage existing programming and networks to catalyze change.
A good faith estimate of the current fair market value of our in-kind contribution to this project has been
calculated at $5,300, outside of token reimbursement to vendors. The entirety of this in-kind contribution will be made
during the proposed three-year grant period.
If the proposed project is funded, we will work to ensure its overall success, which we believe will result in a
powerful shift in the use of SNAP for purchase of locally grown produce and will aid the next generation of low-income
residents eat well.
Sincerely,
Daniel L. LoBianco
Executive Director
Dubuque Main Street
1069 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-588-4400