Why isn't SNAP online purchasing more widely available — and accessible — around the U.S.?
Amazon and Walmart have dominated the space, but that will soon change with hundreds of grocers in the pipeline to join the federal government's SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot.
In this three-part series, Grocery Dive explores the eruption of SNAP online purchasing and the opportunities it unlocks for the grocery industry. However, with competition heating up, grocers and their technology partners say some hurdles remain as they ramp up efforts to differentiate themselves in the space.
It launches with a look at why the grocery industry's progress for allowing SNAP recipients to pay online with their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards was nearly stagnant in 2020 and what researchers and anti-hunger groups say are the challenges with making this more accessible to vulnerable communities.
Then technology vendors weigh in on the benefits and limitations grocers need to consider before launching SNAP online shopping. For a personal look at how the government process worked, two independent grocers share their experiences, from applying to the pilot to trying to go live.
The Online SNAP series is brought to you by Mercatus, a recognized leader in grocery eCommerce technology. To learn more about their SNAP EBT Online solution and access resources, visit their website here. Mercatus has no influence over Grocery Dive's coverage within the articles, and content does not reflect the views or opinions of Mercatus or its employees.
