Instacart partners with South Carolina city on grocery access pilot program

Instacart Health will partner with the city of Columbia, South Carolina on a program aimed at improving access to nutritious food for families in the city’s food deserts.

Through the initiative, known as the Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program, up to 110 Columbia residents living in food deserts will receive a complimentary Instacart membership and $5/month in Instacart Health Fresh Funds stipends for one year. 

Together, the company said, the membership and monthly stipends are designed to help cover the cost of online grocery delivery. In addition, Instacart and the City of Columbia will also work together to create a new virtual storefront for residents to help encourage nutritious shopping choices.