Uber Eats (NYSE:UBER) today announced the arrival of a new initiative to expand access to more nutritious food for millions of Americans. Available now, Uber Eats is accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments, starting with the regional grocery banners Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco and Vons as well as Walgreens locations nationwide and Duane Reade stores exclusively in New York.
This move comes as part of Uber Eats’ commitment to increase food accessibility and support communities in need. Eligible customers can now use their SNAP EBT benefits to order groceries from participating locations through the Uber Eats app, with payments powered by Forage, a mission-driven payments company. In the months ahead, Uber teams will work to add even more retailers who will accept SNAP EBT payments on Uber Eats orders.
To mark this initiative, EBT cardholders will receive $0 Delivery Fee on their first three SNAP-eligible orders, and Uber is offering EBT cardholders a 3-month free trial Uber One membership, which includes unlimited $0 Delivery Fee among other benefits, when they link their EBT card in the Uber Eats app.
“With this rollout, we are taking a significant step forward in ensuring that everyone has access to the fresh food they need, especially those without access to reliable transportation for whom food delivery can be a lifeline,” said Hashim Amin, Head of Grocery and Retail Delivery at Uber, North America.
“We believe that everyone deserves the convenience of delivery, regardless of their payment method. We are proud to begin this work with Albertsons Cos. and Walgreens, allowing us to bring essential products directly to our customers’ doorsteps, and we’ll continue to grow our list of retailers accepting SNAP over time.”
“Partnering with Uber Eats will expand our ability to provide on-demand grocery delivery for even more SNAP shoppers across the United States,” said Ofek Lavian, co-founder and CEO of Forage, whose technology powers SNAP EBT payments for Uber Eats. “Together, we will accelerate the onboarding of retailers accepting SNAP payments, enable families to conveniently order their groceries through Uber Eats, and ultimately expand access to healthy food for millions of low-income Americans across the country.”
Customers will be able to browse through a wide range of SNAP-eligible groceries available for delivery from their local Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Vons and Walgreens stores.
“Albertsons Cos. is a long-standing community partner committed to helping solve food insecurity, and by working with Uber Eats, we are able to make healthy foods available to even more families in need,” said Bryn Banuelos, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships for Albertsons Cos. “We’re dedicated to creating a flexible and convenient shopping experience for all customers, and we’re proud to be the first retailer to accept SNAP payments through Uber Eats.”
As Uber Eats continues to innovate and expand its services, the company remains dedicated to addressing food insecurity and fostering inclusive communities. This new payment option is a vital step in achieving that goal, removing barriers and allowing all people and families to make healthy choices.
“The expansion of SNAP EBT acceptance to Uber Eats breaks down barriers that prevent older adults from accessing healthy food, especially those facing transportation challenges or limited access to grocery stores,” said Jessica Johnston, Senior Director of the Center for Economic Well-Being at the National Council on Aging. “This gives older adults more choices and flexibility, and it aligns with our mission to promote health and independence.”
For more information on the SNAP EBT payment option and to see if your local Albertsons Cos. or Walgreens store is participating, visit the Uber Eats app or website.
About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 52 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
About Forage
Forage builds payments infrastructure that processes government benefits, starting with enabling merchants to accept EBT SNAP payments. 42 million Americans receive government assistance to afford groceries, and Forage powers payments to serve communities in need. Forage is the only USDA-approved third-party payment processor (TPP) that offers retailers best-in-class software combined with dedicated service, enabling complex government payments online and guiding retailers through USDA authorization.
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader. True to its purpose of “more joyful lives through better health,” Walgreens has a more than 120-year heritage of caring for communities and providing trusted pharmacy services, and today is playing a greater role as an independent partner of choice offering healthcare services that improve care, lower costs, and help patients. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Walgreens is proud to serve nearly 9 million customers and patients daily.
The company’s pharmacists are playing a more critical role in healthcare than ever before, providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services, including those that drive equitable access to care for some of the nation’s most underserved populations. Walgreens offers customers and patients a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms designed to deliver high-quality products and healthcare services. Within the U.S. Healthcare segment, Walgreens portfolio also includes businesses in primary care, multi-specialty, post-acute care, urgent care, specialty pharmacy services, population health and provider enablement.
