Wegmans teams with Instacart to accept EBT SNAP benefits

Grocery chain Wegmans is partnering with Instacart to increase access to its own brand products online. 

The grocery and the delivery service are offering same-day pickup and delivery options to more customers with the rollout of Electronic Benefits Transfer and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) payments. The program is available at all of Wegmans 106 locations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts and North Carolina.

First covered by Store Brands’ sister publication Progressive Grocer, EBT SNAP will be available for Wegmans purchases made through the Instacart website and mobile app, with shoppers entering EBT food card information as a form of payment in their profile. Per SNAP guidelines, a second form of payment is required to pay for non-food expenses including taxes, tips and fees. 

Late last year, Instacart expanded its EBT SNAP services. According to a PLMA study, 24% of the SNAP recipients in the study reported they buy mostly store brands when they use their benefits to buy food products. Another 5% said they generally buy all store brands.

"The introduction of EBT SNAP payments for online orders increases accessibility to our wide selection of groceries, including fresh, wholesome, and packaged foods, throughout our communities,” said Erica Tickle, VP of eCommerce at Wegmans. “This is incredibly important for our customers and our company, as we strive to help people live healthier, better lives through food. Offering EBT SNAP payments through the Instacart website and mobile app is a great first step, and we look forward to expanding this capability to Wegmans.com and our mobile app later this year."

Adding Wegmans to its roster brings Instacart’s number of retail EBT SNAP payment partners to more than 60 across 39 states and Washington, D.C.

"At Instacart, our mission is to provide people greater access to fresh food,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, Instacart’s VP of access to food and nutrition. Today, we're proud to expand our partnership with Wegmans and provide East Coast families a more convenient, accessible way to access nutritious food and pantry staples. Online grocery shouldn't just be a luxury, and to get there, we need to ensure delivery and pickup are affordable for everyone. We're thrilled to provide households that rely on EBT SNAP benefits with more access to Wegmans' quality produce and expansive selection  across the East Coast."