Amazon, Hy-Vee, Safeway, ShopRite among retailers in SNAP online grocery ordering pilot

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on Thursday announced its list of companies that will be participating in a two-year pilot program designed to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients purchase their groceries online. A total of seven companies were selected for testing in pilot states.

 

The following retailers were selected to service SNAP beneficiaries in the following states:

Amazon — Maryland, New Jersey, New York

FreshDirect — New York

Safeway — Maryland, Oregon, Washington,

ShopRite — Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Hy-Vee — Iowa

Hart's Local Grocers — New York (based in Rochester)

Dash's Market — New York (based in Buffalo)

 

“Online purchasing is a potential lifeline for SNAP participants living in urban neighborhoods and rural communities where access to healthy food choices can be limited,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We're looking forward to being able to bring the benefits of the online market to low-income Americans participating in SNAP.”

 

The retailers were selected in an effort to test the use of online SNAP purchasing in different settings. The pilot will be conducted across seven states starting this summer in rural and urban areas and will test both online ordering and payment. SNAP beneficiaries will only be able to purchase eligible items online and won’t be able to pay service or delivery charges with benefits. USDA said as the pilot progresses and confirms its system is operating as required, it expects to add additional retailers, with a goal of having a national option for SNAP participants. 

 

“The SNAP Online Purchasing pilot is at the intersection of innovation and community improvement, and Albertsons Companies is honored to have been selected to participate,” Albertsons chief marketing and merchandising officer Shane Sampson said “Enabling SNAP participants to shop online and have their groceries delivered makes fresh foods more accessible to everyone, including those who may not be able to make a weekly trip to the store. We're proud to be part of combatting food insecurity in these communities.”