DoorDash has partnered with Forage, a payments company, to offer the option for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to use their benefits as a payment option on the food delivery platform. Since the platform added this feature, more than 1.1 million users have added their SNAP/EBT cards to DoorDash for payment. Through this partnership, DoorDash hopes to increase the efficiency of the USDA authorization process for merchants on the platform, reducing the time it takes for them to start accepting SNAP as a payment option. Customers will be able to order SNAP-eligible groceries from more merchants, increasing access for vulnerable communities in the United States.
With this new partnership, DoorDash anticipates that over 14 million people living in food deserts and more than 40 million people in communities where one in 10 households already receive SNAP benefits will have greater access to essential groceries. By expanding the acceptance of SNAP/EBT payments, DoorDash aims to help families meet childcare and work obligations, relieve seniors of the stress of going to the grocery store, and support individuals with disabilities who face mobility challenges. This move has been applauded by financial literacy experts as a step in the right direction to help SNAP recipients access nutritious meals in a cost-effective manner without having to worry about transportation costs to pick up groceries.
The ability to access SNAP benefits through a mobile app like DoorDash makes it easier for low-income families to access nutritious meals, as many may struggle to physically go to a grocery store. Among the 42 million Americans receiving SNAP benefits, one in five is disabled, one in eight is elderly, and over 17 million live in food deserts. For these individuals, traditional in-store shopping can be extremely difficult due to conflicting work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or mobility issues. By introducing on-demand grocery delivery for SNAP recipients, barriers to accessing essential food items can be reduced, making it easier for vulnerable communities to access the groceries they need.
Financial experts believe that the new SNAP options offered by DoorDash could lead to lower healthcare costs in the long run while also removing the stigma associated with using SNAP benefits in person. Additionally, the convenience of ordering groceries through a food delivery platform can save time for working parents and caregivers, offer independence for seniors and individuals with mobility issues, and provide an essential service for those who are unable to physically go to a grocery store. The expansion of SNAP payment options on DoorDash is seen as a positive development that can benefit a wide range of individuals and families who rely on these benefits to access essential food items.
Overall, the partnership between DoorDash and Forage to offer SNAP payment options on the platform is seen as a significant step forward in increasing access to essential groceries for vulnerable communities in the United States. By allowing SNAP recipients to use their benefits for on-demand grocery delivery, barriers to accessing nutritious meals can be reduced for low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and elderly or vulnerable populations. This initiative has the potential to improve food security, reduce transportation costs, and provide a convenient and cost-effective option for individuals who rely on SNAP benefits to meet their food needs.
