- Instacart launches a pilot program to taking food stamps as payment
- The program will only be available at Aldi stores
- Available in a few states, including Georgia, California, Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania
- Customers can use the Instacart app to shop for SNAP-eligible products at Aldi
Instacart is making its grocery delivery and pickup services more accessible. From lower-income customers by providing customers the ability to pay for groceries using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). This is the first time Instacart shoppers have been able to use government assistance.
This programs are paying for groceries and follows earlier moves by larger retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and others in extending SNAP EBT to online grocery.
In Instacart’s case, the option is being made available in partnership with ALDI. It will offer the ability for SNAP EBT participants to access fresh food and other staples through online services.
When shopping, Instacart users will be able to add ALDI’s SNAP-eligible items to their cart. Users can select how much of the benefits they want to order before check out.
How Instacart works
Instacart operates a platform that allows customers to purchase groceries and other items from local retailers for on-demand delivery. Customers can use Instacart’s website or mobile apps to choose from more than 500,000 category items from the retailers on Instacart’s platform.
Customers can use the Instacart app to shop for SNAP-eligible products at Aldi. Once items are added to their cart, customers will be able to determine how much of their SNAP, benefits to apply to their order total.
And according to the USDA website (the federal agency that administers SNAP), the benefits can only be used for food and plants and seeds to grow food. So SNAP can’t be used to cover any Instacart delivery fees or tips.
Why Food stamps or SNAP as a payment methods to be used?
During the pandemic and after demand for grocery and food deliveries from platforms has been increased. As with Instacart, it has raised its customer order value to 500 percent as compared. As SNAP is the biggest food assistance program in the US, and during the coronavirus pandemic the program has rapidly grown.
Grocery stores, gas stations and any retailers that sell food products have the option to accept SNAP or food stamps. As from customers as a payment method for approved items. SNAP benefits allow access to sufficient nutrition for individuals and families.
Meanwhile qualified program provides EBT card which can be used instead of traditional methods. Which includes cash, personal check, or credit/debit cards.
