Press Release  Wegmans Joins Massachusetts’ EBT SNAP Online Purchasing Program

Boston —  Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) SNAP benefits to buy groceries online from participating Wegmans stores via the Instacart website and mobile app.

Wegmans is the tenth retailer in the Commonwealth to accept EBT SNAP online, joining BJ’s, Daily Table, Stop & Shop, Walmart and Amazon, as well as ALDI, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Price Rite and Stop & Shop via Instacart. Across all eligible retailers, residents have spent over $155 million in SNAP benefits to-date buying groceries online. For more information on the Massachusetts program, visit www.Mass.gov/SNAPOnline.

“SNAP online purchasing is one of several tools the Administration has utilized, alongside the continuation of SNAP Emergency Allotments, to combat food insecurity for Massachusetts individuals and families,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “Wegmans’ participation in this program will help expand safe shopping options for households who utilize SNAP to help buy nutritious and culturally accessible food.”

“SNAP remains an important tool to help fight food insecurity by putting money directly into the hands of more than 600,000 households and supporting our local communities, retailers and their employees,” said Department of Transitional Assistance Acting Commissioner Mary Sheehan. “Expanding approved online retailers promotes equity and safety for our residents receiving SNAP, allowing low-income households access to the same purchasing choices as other shoppers.”

Shoppers must enter their EBT card as the form of payment on their Instacart account and select items from the list of EBT SNAP-eligible products as part of their Wegmans order. Similar to using SNAP benefits to purchase food in a store, benefits can be used to buy SNAP-eligible foods online, including fresh produce, frozen foods, dairy and eggs. For more information on using SNAP benefits via Instacart, visit www.instacart.com/ebt-snap.
 
“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. This is incredibly important for our customers and our company, as we strive to help people live healthier, better lives through food,” said Erica Tickle, Wegmans vice president of e-commerce. “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.”

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Wegmans to introduce EBT SNAP payments for same-day delivery and pickup, giving people greater access to food in Massachusetts,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President of Access to Food & Nutrition at Instacart. “At Instacart, we believe that online grocery should be accessible to everyone – not just a luxury for some. We look forward to increasing affordability and accessibility to nutritious food across Massachusetts in partnership with Wegmans, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance."

SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for fees, like delivery fees. Economic assistance received through DTA, which include Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC), cannot be used to purchase items online at this time. The USDA approves all retailers for participation in this program. Interested retailers can visit: www.FNS.USDA.gov/SNAP.

Residents can check their SNAP eligibility and apply online at www.DTAConnect.com or on the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363 (press 7). SNAP is not considered in a public charge test. If one is not a US citizen or eligible immigrant, it is safe for them to get SNAP for an eligible family member (like a US citizen child). Currently, households are temporarily receiving increased SNAP benefit amounts and it is now easier than ever to apply.
 

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