DoorDash releases research on how delivery breaks down barriers

DoorDash has unveiled a new independent survey concluding that grocery delivery increases access to nutritious food, saves valuable time and makes it easier for consumers to purchase affordable meals.

The survey, "How Online Grocery Delivery with SNAP Broadens Food Access Across the U.S.," covers SNAP consumers.

Key findings:

• The majority of consumers (86%) are satisfied with their overall experience of using their SNAP benefits to order on DoorDash. 
• Additionally, 82% of consumers are satisfied with the variety and availability of products they can purchase with their SNAP benefits on DoorDash, and 77% are satisfied with their ability to purchase SNAP-eligible groceries that are otherwise too far away.
• Consumers who have used SNAP benefits on DoorDash agree that many attributes of grocery shopping are better for them online with delivery than in store. And 95% of consumers agree that using their SNAP/EBT benefits on DoorDash is easy and quick. 
• Last year, DoorDash asked all consumers how they felt about the grocery delivery experience. While their responses were overall positive, it was overwhelmingly so among SNAP recipients, who found it easier to build their order carts, stay within budget and more. 
• One-third of consumers spent $100 or more of their SNAP benefits on DoorDash over the past month.
• 95% of consumers say that SNAP grocery delivery makes it easier for them to get groceries as often as they like, compared to in-store shopping. The top reason for using DoorDash to order grocery or convenience items is difficulty accessing transportation to and from the grocery store (45%). 

[Read more: DoorDash recounts order, revenue boost in latest financial report]

• Another 40% say they do not have time or ability to go shopping because of their work schedule and 34% say they have responsibilities (like caring for children or elderly family members) that make it hard to shop in store. 
• Almost all consumers surveyed (98%) agree that being able to use their SNAP/EBT benefits for grocery delivery helps them get groceries when they can't make it to the store.

DoorDash also announced SNAP/EBT availability with new merchants nationwide accepting SNAP/EBT on the DoorDash platform. Since launching SNAP on the DoorDash platform just one year ago, more than 1.8 million consumers have added their SNAP/EBT cards to DoorDash.

“I do not drive because of my disability and public transportation in my city is challenging," said one consumer. "I also got sick recently and my normal trip to the grocery store that often takes a lot of coordination, energy, and time got delayed. So, knowing that DoorDash offers [the] use of SNAP benefits helped me tremendously to get food when I had many things running low, in particular healthy, fresh food, i.e. fruits and vegetables. This made my life a lot easier!” 

To help broaden access to groceries for consumers, DoorDash also announced the expansion of it SNAP/EBT payment capabilities for on-demand delivery from several retailers, including Giant Eagle. These merchants join several other grocers and convenience stores that offer SNAP/EBT payment capabilities on DoorDash, including Albertsons, ALDI, Safeway and Walgreens. DoorDash now has more than 15,000 stores available for on-demand delivery with SNAP/EBT payments on the platform.

[Read more: DoorDash adds new retail partners]

"Ending hunger takes us all doing our part. By adding more ways for people who use SNAP to access the groceries they need, DoorDash is breaking down barriers for thousands of people daily. DoorDash's research confirms what we've always known: that solutions like delivery reduce hunger, grow access, and eliminate stigma," said Eric Mitchell, president of Alliance to End Hunger. "We're proud to partner with DoorDash as they continue to broaden food access."