Instacart has announced a series of retail expansions that will allow customers to use SNAP benefits to shop online for groceries for same-day delivery from Food City, Gordon Food Service, Hy-Vee, Schnucks and additional Kroger banners.
Instacart now offers online SNAP acceptance from more than 170 retail banners spanning more than 14,000 stores, reaching 96 percent of SNAP households in the U.S.
Research published by No Kid Hungry, the University of Kentucky and Instacart revealed that online grocery shopping offers advantages for low-income households, including SNAP families.
The study found shopping online helps families extend food budgets, maximize time savings and reduce stress. It also revealed that those who shopped online purchased more produce than in-store customers, without increasing their total grocery bills.
“We’re committed to offering families access to fresh food through an accessible and affordable online shopping and delivery experience,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, VP and general manager of Instacart Health.
“By expanding with retailers, we’re giving SNAP families greater dignity of choice, and helping many experience – for the first time – the convenience of having groceries from these retailers delivered to their doorstep.
“The USDA reported that 41 percent of SNAP households have kids. We’re proud to bring SNAP online with these trusted retailers, helping ease the grocery shopping burden for caregivers by offering greater value and unparalleled online selection and choice to SNAP families across the country.”
Instacart offers a discounted Instacart+ membership for SNAP participants. Through the program, anyone who has used an EBT SNAP card to purchase groceries on Instacart can get Instacart+ for 50 percent off for 12 months.
With Instacart+, households can access free delivery and pickup on orders over $35, 5 percent credit back on eligible pickup orders and reduced service fees on every order.
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