People who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can now have groceries delivered from Kroger through DoorDash.
Under the new partnership, SNAP recipients can link their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards directly to their DoorDash accounts to pay for eligible Kroger grocery items online.
The program is being rolled out across nearly 2,700 Kroger-owned stores nationwide, including banners such as Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs and others, extending access to millions of households who depend on food assistance.
“Access to affordable food is fundamental,” Mike Goldblatt, VP of Enterprise Partnerships at DoorDash, said in a statement. “This collaboration with Kroger marks an important step forward for SNAP access nationwide. Together, we’re helping millions of consumers shop more conveniently for the groceries their households rely on every day.”
Eligible SNAP purchases include approved grocery staples such as fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, frozen foods and other essentials permitted under federal guidelines. SNAP benefits do not apply to alcohol, prepared hot foods or non-food household goods purchases.
How will it work?
At checkout, the system automatically applies SNAP-eligible funds to qualifying items, while any remaining balance can be paid using another payment method if needed.
Standard fees such as service charges, taxes, and optional tips are not covered by SNAP benefits or the waiver. Customers can choose to tip delivery workers, but tips must be paid out of pocket and are not included in SNAP-eligible purchases.
However, to kick off the launch, DoorDash is offering $0 delivery fees on the first order from the Kroger family of brands when consumers pay with an EBT card, for a limited time.
Customers can also adjust the SNAP amount applied to the order.
Mixed reactions on social media
Social media users offered mixed reactions to the partnership, with many noting that Kroger already provides its own direct-to-consumer grocery delivery service that accepts SNAP EBT. According to Kroger’s website, the company charges a $6.95 delivery fee for orders delivered in its temperature-controlled blue vans, while Instacart delivery is also available in as little as two hours for a $9.95 fee.
“Kroger delivers, what does DoorDash have to do with it?” one person commented on a Fox 19 post about the news.
“I prefer Kroger’s app for delivery, prices aren’t marked up like DoorDash and no surprise fees,” another added.
Other users said the DoorDash option could lead to fewer or no tips for drivers, which some worry could be frustrating for delivery workers.
“Yay, more opportunities for Door Dashers to not get tipped,” one person wrote.
“The Dashers don’t make squat now with gas over $4 gallon, and to add a non-tipping EBT card in the mix is a disaster,” another claimed.
Meanwhile, someone else argued, “Don’t assume anything… A lot of people who receive SNAP do work… Some are disabled and receive SSA, SSI, VA… Some actually do tip…
“What a wild concept that someone who needs a little assistance may live in a food desert, and may not have the privilege of a reliable vehicle to gather groceries for their family,” another person said.
Another who supported the partnership added: “Be grateful if you have never experienced this. It takes nothing to scroll on, or to have empathy for other humans.”