Let’s be real—college is a lot. Trying to find time between the deadlines, late nights, and the stress of “adulting” on a student budget, taking care of yourself can feel like a chore. When it comes to food? Forget it. Grocery bills are climbing faster than your Outlook notifications, and finding the time for healthy, energizing meals that don’t break the bank can seem impossible.
But do not worry. What if I told you there’s a local program that literally doubles your money when you buy fruits and veggies? I give you the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program, a Eugene-based, student-friendly ticket to better your nutrition and mental health.
Double Up Food Bucks?
Double Up Food Bucks is a community-driven program run by FOOD For Lane County (FFLC) and Willamette Farm & Food Coalition. They are part of a larger Corporate Social Responsibility effort that supports access for food along with sustainability across all of Oregon.
“Farm-to-Fork in 3 Steps:”
If you’re already a SNAP/EBT recipient, you can go and attend farmers’ markets and get up to $20 matched per visit to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.
In Simple Terms: Healthy food just got affordable!
- Spend $10 off your SNAP funds
- Get $10 FREE to buy more produce
Food, Mood, and Mental Health
Many students assume that much of their college stress just lives in the planner, but in reality it lives inside your body, too! What you put inside your body has a huge impact on the effects of your focus, energy, and even your anxiety levels. Fresh produce, specifically leafy greens, berries, omega-3-rich veggies, and protein, can give your brain the power it needs to function correctly and help create a stable mood.
Don’t forget the power of routine—shopping at a weekly farmers market becomes more than a chore on your to-do-list. Think of it as an experience. You’re outside, talking with the growers, and more likely than not, learning about a new favorite, for me that’s heirloom tomatoes. Think of it as edible self-care you can taste.
Where Do You Find These Gems?
- Lane County Farmers Market (downtown Eugene, Saturdays & Tuesdays)
- Whiteaker Community Market (Sundays)
- Veneta Downtown Market
Look for the info booth and swipe your EBT card. You’ll receive wooden tokens, SNAP-eligible food, and others specifically for fresh produce.
Full list and hours: Willamette Farm & Food Coalition DUFB Map
Why It Matters (Beyond Your Tummy)
The DUFB program is more than another “student hack”—it’s a type of sustainable CSR campaign. It supports the DUFB program, which is a type of a sustainability CSR campaign.
Supports Places Like:
- Local farms (keeping our food economy strong and seasonal)
- Low-income families (making healthy food a right, not a luxury)
- Environmental values (minimizing long-distance food shipping)
Your Final Bite
As you watch your ramen stash is running low, you feel your brain getting cloudy, and you’re having difficulty concentrating on your work, it might be time to reassess your relationship with the food you put in your body. Programs like Double Up Food Bucks and eating healthy on a student budget aren’t just another achievable conquest, they’re game changers in your life!
This weekend, think about skipping that drive through line at McDonalds. Grab a tote bag, swipe that EBT card, and treat yourself to something fresh that will benefit you mentally and physically. Trust me when I say this, your mind, body, and especially your bank account will thank you.
#StudentOnABudget#BudgetBites#HealthyDoesntHaveToBePricey#CollegeEats
Fiona Peterson 
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