Uber Eats, the food delivery app owned by Uber, announced that it will allow users to pay for groceries using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) benefits in its app starting in 2024. This will make Uber Eats the first food delivery app to accept SNAP/EBT payments for groceries, but not for prepared meals or restaurant orders.
The company said that this move will help reduce barriers to fresh groceries for the most vulnerable people, such as those living in food deserts, seniors, and those with disabilities or transportation barriers. According to an analysis of USDA data, more than 41 million U.S. consumers participate in SNAP/EBT, which provides monthly benefits to low-income households to buy food.
“We’re proud to be the first food delivery app to accept SNAP/EBT payments for groceries, and we’re committed to making it easier for people to get the food they need,” said Raj Beri, head of grocery delivery at Uber, in a statement.
Uber Eats followed the example of Instacart, which became the first online grocery marketplace to accept SNAP payments in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in August. Instacart partnered with ALDI, Food Lion, Publix, Safeway, and other retailers to enable SNAP recipients to shop for groceries online and get them delivered or picked up at the store.
“We know that access to fresh groceries is a challenge for many Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. By partnering with Uber Eats, we’re able to provide more options and convenience for our customers, especially those who face transportation barriers or live in food deserts,” said Nilam Ganenthiran, president of Instacart.
The announcement was welcomed by anti-hunger advocates, who said that online grocery delivery can make a huge difference in the lives of millions of Americans who struggle with food insecurity.
“This is a game-changer for millions of Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits are a lifeline for many low-income families, and being able to use them online for grocery delivery can make a huge difference in their lives,” said Lisa Davis, senior vice president of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.
“Uber Eats’ decision to accept SNAP benefits for groceries is a welcome move that will help address the growing problem of hunger and malnutrition in our country. We applaud Uber Eats for taking this step and urge other food delivery platforms to follow suit,” said Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America.
Some experts also pointed out that this move can benefit both Uber Eats and SNAP recipients, as it can expand the customer base and revenue stream for the former, and provide more choices and convenience for the latter.
“This is a win-win situation for both Uber Eats and SNAP recipients. Uber Eats can expand its customer base and revenue stream, while SNAP recipients can enjoy more choices and convenience when shopping for groceries online,” said Christy Bieber, MSN Money contributor.
Relevant articles:
– Uber Eats to accept SNAP benefits for groceries following announcement from Instacart, ABC News, September 25, 2023
– Uber Eats To Accept Food Stamps For Grocery Delivery Payment, Black Enterprise, September 25, 2023
– Uber Eats will start accepting food stamps for grocery delivery in 2024, The Verge, September 20, 2023
– Uber Eats Will Accept SNAP EBT Payments in 2024. Here’s Why That’s Important, MSN Money, September 22, 2023
[…] Uber Eats is taking a leap to make sure everyone can enjoy their guilty pleasure of eating without worrying about how they’ll pay for it. Starting in 2024, they will accept food stamps as a form of payment for grocery delivery. This means that even the most vulnerable people, like those living in food deserts or those with transportation barriers, can have access to fresh groceries without the hassle of going to the store. Leave it to Uber to make sure no one has to go hungry, even if it means spending their food stamps on ordering a burger instead of cooking one at home. It’s a win-win situation, really. Uber Eats gets to expand its customer base and revenue stream, while SNAP recipients get to enjoy the convenience of shopping for groceries online. Now, if only Uber Eats could figure out how to deliver food through teleportation, we’d be living in a real foodie paradise. Original Article: https://trendydigests.com/?p=29778 […]