Buying groceries online just got a bit easier for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users in 15 states. Beginning April 29, 2021, online grocery platform, Instacart is expanding acceptance of EBT SNAP payment to three new retailers Publix, The Save Mart Companies and Price Chopper/Market 32, for online grocery delivery and pickup. The expansion increases EBT SNAP availability by more than 1,500 stores across 15 states.
“We’re committed to continuing to expand EBT SNAP payments for Americans nationwide and are proud to partner with three new retailers – Publix, The Save Mart Companies and Price Chopper/Market 32 – on this important initiative,” said Nilam Ganenthiran, President of Instacart.
Ordering groceries online has long been a challenge for SNAP users. It wasn’t until early 2019 that ordering groceries online was even an option for SNAP users. And until the arrival of Covid-19, it had only been available to people in a few select states.
Once the expansion is complete, Instacart will offer EBT SNAP in more than 4,000 stores across 38 … [+]
Photo: Instacart
Over the past few years, Instacart has actively lobbied for a technology-focused solution for those that rely on EBT SNAP to utilize online grocery delivery. Instacart initially rolled out EBT SNAP payments in late 2020 in partnership with more than 2,000 ALDI locations nationwide and earlier in 2021 launched EBT SNAP payment across more than 600 Food Lion stores.
This expansion means that EBT SNAP will now be available at all Publix locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The Save Mart Companies—including Save Mart, Lucky California, Lucky and FoodMaxx banners—across California and Nevada. Price Chopper/Market 32 across its New York stores, and in the coming weeks will expand to its Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Vermont locations. Once the expansion is complete, Instacart will offer EBT SNAP in more than 4,000 stores across 38 states and Washington D.C.
Customers can enter their zip code to determine if they are near a participating retailer and begin shopping and selecting items from retailers’ EBT-eligible products. SNAP users will have to add their SNAP EBT card to their Instacart account to pay for groceries. While the benefits will pay for most groceries, users will need to add a debit or credit card to pay for delivery and service fees, bottle fees, taxes, tips and any items that are not EBT eligible. According to Instacart, customers will see a payment breakdown on the ‘Place Order’ page at checkout, allowing them to see what will be charged to their EBT card and what will be charged to their credit or debit card.
Customers will be able to select how much of their benefits they would like to allocate to the order. Orders for delivery and pickup can be placed by customers for delivery in as fast as an hour or scheduled several days in advance. To help subsidize costs for EBT SNAP participants, Instacart will waive delivery or pickup fees through June 16, 2021, on up to the first three EBT SNAP orders for each customer with a valid EBT card associated with their Instacart account.
“Providing people access to the food they love is at the core of Instacart’s mission. We recognize the opportunity we have to help make fresh food and pantry staples more accessible to communities by breaking down barriers to same-day grocery delivery and pickup,” said Ganenthiran.