DoorDash is making it easier for people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to use them for food delivery. By partnering with a company called Forage, DoorDash now lets users pay with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. This change aims to help millions of low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities access healthy food more easily.
DoorDash’s New Initiative
How It Works
DoorDash teamed up with Forage, a company that specializes in payment processing, to allow the use of EBT cards on its platform. Since this feature was introduced, over 1.1 million users have added their SNAP/EBT cards to DoorDash for payment.
Benefits for Retailers
The partnership with Forage helps retailers on DoorDash get approved to accept SNAP payments more quickly. This means more stores will offer SNAP-eligible groceries for delivery, expanding options for customers who use SNAP benefits.
Key Figures Speak Out
Ofek Lavian, Forage CEO
Ofek Lavian, the CEO of Forage, expressed excitement about the partnership with DoorDash. He said, “We’re thrilled to partner with DoorDash and expand on-demand grocery delivery for SNAP shoppers. This collaboration is at the heart of our mission, and we’re extremely proud to play a role in removing as many barriers as possible when it comes to increasing access to food for low-income Americans.”
Fuad Hannon, DoorDash VP
Fuad Hannon, Vice President of New Verticals at DoorDash, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He said, “Our partnership with Forage supports our commitment to increase access to food for vulnerable communities. Growing the acceptance of SNAP/EBT payments can help families meet childcare and work obligations, relieve seniors of the potential stress of going to the grocery store, and support people with disabilities who face mobility issues.”
Positive Impact on Communities
Food Deserts and SNAP Recipients
This initiative aims to help over 14 million people living in food deserts and more than 40 million people in communities where one in ten households receive SNAP benefits. These areas often lack easy access to grocery stores, making food delivery a crucial service.
Expert Opinions
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, called this partnership a “step in the right direction.” He believes that making SNAP benefits more accessible through DoorDash is a logical step in today’s economy.
Michael Ryan, a finance expert, also supports this initiative. He thinks that making it easier to use SNAP benefits for delivery could lead to lower healthcare costs and reduce the stigma of using SNAP in person.
Why This Matters
Accessibility and Convenience
Using SNAP benefits through DoorDash can help low-income families access nutritious meals without worrying about transportation costs. Many SNAP recipients face challenges like disabilities, elderly age, or living in food deserts, making it hard to visit physical stores. On-demand grocery delivery addresses these issues.
Reduced Stigma
Having the option to use SNAP benefits via a phone app can help reduce the stigma that sometimes comes with using these benefits in person. It also saves time for working parents and caregivers, providing more independence for seniors and people with mobility issues.
FAQs
1. What is SNAP?
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal aid program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food.
2. How do I use my EBT card on DoorDash?
You can add your EBT card as a payment method on DoorDash, just like you would with a credit or debit card.
3. Are all items on DoorDash eligible for SNAP?
No, only certain grocery items that meet SNAP eligibility requirements can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
4. Can I use SNAP benefits for restaurant food on DoorDash?
No, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase restaurant meals. They can only be used for eligible grocery items.
5. What are food deserts?
Food deserts are areas where access to affordable, healthy food options is limited or nonexistent because grocery stores are too far away.
DoorDash’s new initiative to accept SNAP benefits is a significant step toward making healthy food more accessible to millions of Americans. By partnering with Forage, DoorDash aims to remove barriers and support vulnerable communities, ensuring everyone has the chance to enjoy nutritious meals.