Recently, Instacart announced that food stamps will be accepted on its platform, so people who receive this federal financial aid will be able to make online purchases on its application and website. With this important move, Instacart becomes the first grocery marketplace to accept electronic benefit transfers for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The idea of the Instacart is to expand its commitment to access nutritious food for more people in the United States, as announced by the company in 2022. As far as we know, about 33.8 million American households live with limited food, including about 5 million children. Instacart’s mission is to establish a world where every individual has access to healthy choices, foods they want and the ability to share them with others. And that’s why they decided to add the SNAP benefits to the cards they accept as payment methods.
How to use your SNAP EBT on Instacart to buy nutritious food
Online shopping is a great tool for low-income families who receive SNAP benefits, not only because it saves time and money, but also because it allows them to manage their budgets in a clearer way by seeing with total transparency the values shown when they are shopping. The first step for the Instacart Health program is the acceptance of SNAP benefits in Alaska, where it started as a pilot program and it’s planned to expand to all 50 states and Washington DC.
If you are a recipient of food stamps in Alaska, here’s what you have to do to start shopping with your EBT card on the Instacart app or website. Whether you’re shopping through our user-friendly app or website, it’s time to say goodbye to the hassle of traditional checkouts and say hello to seamless EBT card payments. To begin with the checkout process, navigate to your virtual shopping cart. You’ll spot the unmistakable green cart icon nestled in the upper right corner of your screen. Click on it confidently, knowing that you’re just moments away from completing your order.
Once you’re in your cart, locate the “Go to checkout” button. It’s your gateway to a swift and efficient checkout process. Click it to move forward. The next step is crucial for ensuring a smooth delivery. Provide your accurate address, clear delivery instructions, preferred delivery time, and your contact information. Choose both your trusted debit or credit card and your EBT card as your preferred payment methods. Need to switch cards? No problem! Just hit the “Change” option next to your payment method and make your swap.
Which stores accept SNAP EBT cards on Instacart?
Instacart customers living in the United States can pay online for grocery orders with a valid EBT card, in whole or in part, at the following (but not limited to) stores and supermarkets:
- ALDI
- Food Lion
- Save Mart
- FoodMaxx
- Lucky Supermarkets
- Price Chopper
- Market 32
- Market Bistro
Check the complete list of Instacart stores here.