Instacart makes over a dozen grocers SNAP eligible for online orders

Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have more options for online orders via Instacart, the last-mile delivery service announced on Tuesday. 

Instacart has expanded the program to include more than a dozen grocery chains, 10 of which are owned by Kroger. 

Grocers added to the list include Food City, Gordon Food Service, Hy-Vee, and Schnucks. The Kroger banners now eligible for online SNAP orders via Instacart include Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, Marianos, Metro Market, Pick n’ Save, Smith’s, and QFC.

The expansion puts Instacart’s acceptance of SNAP benefits at more than 170 retail banners and more than 14,000 stores, the San Francisco-based company said in a press release. The company’s acceptance of SNAP benefits now reaches 96% of SNAP households nationwide, Instacart said. 

“We’re committed to offering families access to fresh food through an accessible and affordable online shopping and delivery experience,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of Instacart Health, in a statement. “By expanding with retailers, we’re giving SNAP families greater dignity of choice, and helping many experience – for the first time – the convenience of having groceries from these retailers delivered to their doorstep.” 

The company added that SNAP recipients can receive a 50% discount ($4.99 per month) on the delivery company’s premium service, Instacart , for the first year. The premium service entitles members to free delivery and pickup on orders of $35 or more and a 5% credit on some pickup orders.

Instacart has rapidly expanded the SNAP program over the last two years, announcing in December that it expanded to all Kroger, Ralphs, Foods Co., Fry’s, Jay C, Pay Less, and Food 4 Less stores. 

In August of 2023, the company expanded SNAP eligibility to all 50 states and was available at more than 120 retail banners and over 10,000 stores.