SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that seven retail firms have been selected to take part in a two-year pilot designed to enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase their groceries online. Pilots will take place in seven states in both rural and urban areas, marking the next critical step in bringing the online purchasing option to SNAP clients.

According to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, “Online purchasing is a potential lifeline for SNAP participants living in urban neighborhoods and rural communities where access to healthy food choices can be limited.” The firms in New York are:

• Amazon;
• FreshDirect;
• Hart's Local Grocers (based in Rochester); and 
• Dash's Market (based in Buffalo).

The USDA has authorized SNAP online grocery ordering in a few locations. This pilot will now test both online ordering and payment. Online payment presents technical and security challenges that will need to be examined and fully addressed before it is offered nationwide. As with the core program, SNAP participants will only be able to use their benefits to purchase eligible items online, not to pay for service or delivery charges.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871