Instacart provides new perk for federal benefit recipients

Instacart is launching a new feature for Electronic Benefits Transfer and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) participants.

The grocery technology company is providing a new, discounted membership for its Instacart+ subscription service for SNAP recipients nationwide. Anyone who has used an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) SNAP card to purchase groceries on Instacart in the past six months can get a discounted Instacart+ membership at $4.99/month (50% off) for 12 months.

With an Instacart+ membership, consumers have access to free delivery and pickup on orders over $35, 5% credit back on pickup orders, and reduced service fees on every order. Instacart relaunched its previous Instacart Express subscription service as Instacart+ in June 2022.

[Read more: Instacart revamps subscription offering]

Since launching EBT SNAP payments in partnership with Aldi in November 2020, Instacart has expanded its EBT SNAP footprint to include more than 40 retailers across more than 5,600 stores in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Instacart partners with a roster of retailers that accept EBT SNAP, which now includes Ahold Delhaize USA, Brookshire’s, Earth Fare, Fairplay Foods, Food Bazaar, Harps Foods, Homeland, Little Giant Farmer’s Market, My County Market, PAQ, Inc. (Food 4 Less California and Rancho San Miguel), Price Chopper/Market 32, Publix, The Save Mart Companies, Schnucks, Strack & Van Til, Tops Markets, Wakefern Food Corp., and Woodman’s Markets.

Instacart has also enabled EBT SNAP payments via its Instacart Enterprise white label platform in partnership with the web and online platforms of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brookshire’s, Food Bazaar, Food Lion, Harps Food Stores, Homeland, Publix, The Save Mart Companies, Schnucks, Strack & Van Til, Tops Markets, and Wakefern Food Corp.

In addition to partnering with traditional grocers, Instacart also enables a number of retailers to accept EBT SNAP payments through its virtual convenience offering. EBT SNAP convenience delivery is available in partnership with Ahold Delhaize USA banners including Food Lion Now, GIANT Instant Delivery, Giant Food Convenience, Hannaford Now, MARTIN’s Instant Delivery and Stop & Shop Express, all of which can be found within the Convenience Hub on the Instacart marketplace.

The company is providing this new discounted Instacart+ membership for SNAP recipients as part of Instacart Health, a recently introduced initiative designed to promote access to healthy grocery and produce items. Instacart Health includes new shopping tools, payment options, and collaborative healthcare initiatives. 

“For individuals who face nutrition access challenges – whether they struggle to fit nutritious food into their budgets, lack reliable transportation, or have mobility issues – the discounted Instacart+ membership helps them access the food needed to live a healthier life,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, VP/GM, Instacart Health, in a corporate blog post. “Over the last decade, we’ve built the technologies that power the grocery industry. Now, Instacart Health is building innovative solutions to directly address the critical role that the food we eat plays in our health.”