When the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that November's appropriations for food assistance benefits would not be sent to the states due to the shortfalls in the ongoing debate over the federal government budget, Julius Buzzard, the executive director of Growing Hope, and Claire Austin, the manager of the Ypsilanti Farmer's MarketPlace, created a new program to help.
They are calling it the SNAP Gap program, and it provides tokens for food assistance beneficiaries to use when purchasing fresh produce at the Ypsilanti Farmers Marketplace.
“When the systems built to care for people fail, our community steps forward to weave that net ourselves,” Buzzard said in a written statement following the announcement on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly known as SNAP, funding
About 42 million U.S. residents receive assistance from the program, including 1.4 million Michiganders, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in an announcement.
Read more: Michigan SNAP benefits pause to comply with emergency appeal ruling - The Eastern Echo
Even as the federal government considers partial payments amid countering court rulings, local assistance groups can see it would not be enough.
“Food should never be something that we use as a tool to get what we want, because we're talking about people's lives here," Austin said.
Since 2003, Growing Hope, from a plot of land just west of downtown Ypsilanti, has encouraged the community to unify through the production of local foods. The nonprofit urban farm is a place where people can access farming tools, gardening directions and home-grown produce. Growing Hope harvests fruits and vegetables at its farm. The produce is marketed in the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace.
“I hate that people are gonna go hungry," Austin said.
Growing Hope is concerned for seniors, children and people who struggle with work.
A temporary solution
Austin said about 25% of the people who shop at the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace use SNAP. The nonprofit organization used recyclable paper to create tokens — SNAP Gap tokens — that users can apply to food purchases. Each token is valued at $40 per user each week.
Growing Hope announced that the SNAP Gap program is now open to anyone who is considered low-income or food-insecure, not just SNAP users.
Individuals who identify themselves in the pool of low-income or are food-insecure will be able to ask for a SNAP Gap token when coming to the Ypsilanti Farmers MarketPlace by answering a screening questionnaire.
Additional resources
Austin mentioned that the Ypsilanti Farmers Marketplace is listed within the Double Up Food Bucks program. When visitors come to the market, they double their funds and receive an extra $40. So, if people shop for fruits, vegetables or other SNAP-eligible items, they might be eligible for up to $80.
Growing Hope SNAP Gap holders can only use the token at Growing Hope Marketplace in Ypsilanti. But the Double Up Food Bucks, managed by the Fair Food Network based in Detroit, can be used at different vendors, which are updated on the Double Up Food Bucks website.
Shoppers interested in claiming Growing Hope SNAP Gap program tokens do not have to hold a Michigan SNAP card, but those who are interested in claiming the Double Up Food Bucks program must present their Michigan SNAP card.
Winter market
The winter market, which is an indoor market, will be open Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
Shoppers can come and claim some of the benefits. People can contact Growing Hope directly for more information.
Hope for the future
“Do I think that the community can fund all of our SNAP benefits? Probably not," Austin said.
At this time, she isn't sure how long the federal shutdown will last.
Austin encouraged people to get active in the community, donate to food banks or volunteer at Food Gatherers — especially during this challenging time.
“Get extra food and give it out in your neighborhood. Sometimes it's really just coming together and sharing a meal,” she said.
In this November 2025 written statement, managers of Growing Hope in Ypsilanti announce an emergency food access program for Ypsilanti residents. (Courtesy of Growing Hope and Ypsilanti Farmers Markets)
