SAN FRANCISCO — Instacart has introduced a new discounted Instacart+ membership program designed to make healthy food more accessible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants across the United States. The initiative, part of the company’s broader Instacart Health platform, reflects Instacart’s ongoing commitment to nutrition equity and affordability amid rising grocery costs.
Under the new program, anyone who has used an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) SNAP card to purchase groceries on Instacart in the past six months can now sign up for Instacart+ at $4.99 per month—50% off the regular rate—for 12 months. Members receive benefits including free delivery and Pickup on orders over $35, 5% credit back on Pickup orders, and reduced service fees.
According to the USDA, more than 10% of Americans experience food insecurity. Instacart noted that 95% of the more than 30 million people experiencing nutrition insecurity now have access to grocery delivery from retailers that accept EBT SNAP payments through the platform.
Recent research conducted by the University of Kentucky, No Kid Hungry, and Instacart found that online grocery shopping helps SNAP recipients stretch their food budgets, improve meal planning, and even purchase more fruits and vegetables—without increasing their total grocery bill.
“Our research has shown that online grocery shopping can provide very real benefits for families on tight food budgets,” said Courtney Smith, SVP of Program Research, Innovation and Impact at No Kid Hungry. “Instacart’s discounted membership for SNAP recipients is one solution that can help more food-insecure families tap into the many benefits of online grocery—saving time, managing their budgets, and reducing transportation barriers.”
Instacart Health’s mission is to connect people to the food they need to live healthier lives, through three core pillars: Nutrition Security, Making Healthier Choices Easier, and Food as Medicine. The company said this new initiative underscores its long-term goal to reduce barriers to nutritious food access through technology, partnerships, and affordability programs.
You can read more about Instacart Health here.
