Study: Grocery delivery apps that accept SNAP payments are increasing food access

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A new study outlined how grocery delivery apps that accept SNAP are increasing food access.

The survey found that one in eight SNAP recipients would skip some grocery purchases if there were no delivery options. Delivery can make grocery shopping so much easier, especially if you don’t have a car, can’t afford the gas, or don’t have the time to load the kids up and venture into the store.

DoorDash said they have been working to expand food access. So, last summer they enabled SNAP payments through their platform.

Customers will enter their SNAP and EBT information just like they would a credit card and apply it to grocery and convenience store purchases. Then, it comes to your door like any other delivery.

“Gas prices are going up, it’s hard to get to the grocery store. A lot of times, we heard the number one reason that people want to use SNAP to get groceries delivered is because of transportation or access issues to get to the grocery store, and even another one in four said that they have health or mobility issues that really prevent them from getting to the store, even if they have a car,” said Cheryl Young, head of policy research at DoorDash.

A recent study of those who use the service said delivery makes it easier based on transportation and mobility reasons, but it also helps beat the stigma of pulling out an EBT card in the store.

“We actually heard 61% of the consumers that we surveyed who have used SNAP to order groceries online said they were self-conscious using it in the store,” said Young. “You can do it discreetly. The groceries come to you. So, that is definitely a thing about reducing stigma and just giving people the option to order groceries in a way that they feel comfortable, to make sure they can feed themselves and their families.”

DoorDash follows the same rules set by the USDA for EBT purchases; it’s only eligible for grocery store items, like fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish and dairy.

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