One of the nation's largest grocers has expanded shoppers' ability to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for digital pickup and delivery orders.
Customers can now make EBT payments through the Kroger app or Kroger.com for both pickup and delivery, which the company says will make it easier to buy fresh, healthy foods. Additionally, Kroger is offering the OptUP nutrition rating system, allowing customers to explore nutrition facts and healthier options.
Kroger has long accepted SNAP benefits, and a recent collaboration with USDA has enabled EBT digital acceptance across all its banners, including supermarkets such as Ralphs, Dillons, Smith’s, King Soopers, Fry’s, QFC, City Market, Owen’s, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker’s, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, and Mariano’s. During the pandemic, Kroger partnered with USDA in a pilot program testing digital payment acceptance of EBT.
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen emphasized the company's commitment to providing access to affordable and nutritious food for all and praised those who helped make the new system a reality.
“I am so proud of our passionate teams who worked closely with the USDA to remove barriers to healthy foods so that more of America can access the food they need to thrive,” McMullen said in a statement.
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To place digital orders, customers can create an account on the Kroger app or Kroger.com, add their EBT account, and select SNAP-eligible items, and schedule a pickup or delivery time.
The news follows an August announcement from Instacart declaring the service to be “the first and only online grocery marketplace to accept SNAP in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.”
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