Walgreens and the grocery delivery specialist Instacart have joined forces to enhance food access for millions of low-income Americans nationwide.
The partnership, announced on Tuesday, now allows individuals on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to buy groceries online from Walgreens and have them delivered the same day by Instacart.
RELATED STORY | DoorDash begins accepting SNAP/EBT payments
While most Walgreens stores currently only accept SNAP/EBT for in-person purchases, this initiative will expand online shopping for SNAP-eligible items to over 7,500 Walgreens stores nationwide, benefiting tens of millions of Americans who rely on monthly food assistance.
“Our collaboration with Instacart underscores Walgreens’ dedication to improving access to essential food items for our customers,” said Walgreens senior vice president Balachandra Visalatha in a statement. “By integrating SNAP/EBT payments, we are simplifying the shopping experience for families and individuals, meeting their changing needs and preferences.”
RELATED STORY | White House to provide summer grocery money to 21 million kids
According to figures from the Department of Agriculture, more than 42 million people in the U.S. receive monthly SNAP benefits. Eligibility is income-based, with a family of four needing to gross less than $3,007 a month to qualify for benefits.
Instacart vice president Sarah Mastrorocco stated that the partnership with Walgreens will now enable 96% of households enrolled in SNAP to receive essential items conveniently at their doorstep.
“We are committed to offering the best online selection for SNAP families, providing both access and choice through our marketplace,” said Mastrorocco. “Working with reputable retailers like Walgreens, we are proud to assist more families in accessing their essentials through delivery.”
