Raley’s to Accept EBT SNAP Payments for Online Orders

The grocer is expanding an existing partnership with Instacart to 83 Raley’s locations across California.

February 08, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO and WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.—West Coast-based grocer Raley’s has partnered with Instacart for online acceptance of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at 83 of Raley’s banner’s store locations across California.

The expanded partnership builds on the companies’ 15-store Nevada payment integration launch earlier this year and allows customers to use their SNAP benefits to purchase groceries for same-day delivery from grocery banners Raley’s, Bel Air Markets and Nob Hill Foods. SNAP participants can now use their benefits to shop online for groceries from 98 Raley’s banner locations across both California and Nevada.

“As part of our continued commitment to nourishing the health and well-being of the communities we serve, we’re proud to enable EBT SNAP payment acceptance online for the first time in California through our partnership with Instacart,” said Chelsea Minor, executive director, community impact and public affairs at The Raley’s Companies. “Pairing online benefits acceptance with same-day delivery will increase access to healthy food, and we look forward to the positive impact this new offering brings to Raley’s customers across California and Nevada.”

According to Feeding America, more than 3.5 million people in California are food insecure, meaning 1 in 11 Californians lack reliable access to healthy food. Many struggle to get the nutrition they need because they cannot fit healthy foods into their budgets, lack reliable transportation or have mobility issues.

A 2022 study published by No Kid Hungry, the University of Kentucky and Instacart showed that access to online grocery shopping and delivery helps low-income families, including SNAP participants, stretch their food budgets, save time, overcome transportation barriers, reduce stress and stigma and adopt healthier lifestyles. The study also found that SNAP recipients who grocery shop online purchase more fruits and vegetables than in-store shoppers, without increasing their total grocery bill.

Convenience retailer FavTrip, located in Kansas City, Missouri, was the first c-store in the country to launch online EBT payments, according to Vroom Delivery, which FavTrip partnered with for the service.

Last fall, Jacksons Food Stores began accepting EBT SNAP payments for orders made through Instacart. Jacksons also offers EBT SNAP as an in-store payment option.

“We launched our partnership with Instacart in 2021 and are proud to expand our services to be even more accessible to our community,” said Cory Jackson, president of Jacksons Food Stores. “We recognize there are several reasons our customers may not be able to physically shop in our stores. Now, our customers have greater access to get what they need—eggs, milk, our freshly made sandwiches—delivered to their doorstep.”

Wesco, a western Michigan-based c-store chain, began accepting SNAP payments in July for on-demand home delivery and curbside pickup at its 55 locations. 7-Eleven Hawaii also launched home delivery and curbside pickup for SNAP customers at its 65 locations across Oahu, the Big Island of Hawai’i, Kauai and Maui. Both companies have partnered with Vroom Delivery for the service.

Amazon recently added a new shopping portal called Amazon Access for shoppers using government assistance. The portal provides information on payment with EBT SNAP, Amazon Layaway and discounts and coupons on essential grocery items. Target began accepting SNAP payment for online orders through Shipt last year. Walmart and Amazon have offered online payments with SNAP since 2019.

In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reminded retailers who accept SNAP transactions of the importance of protecting SNAP customers against card skimming at their point-of-sale terminals. Discover these five tips to keep your customers safe.

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