Meijer supermarket makes it easier for SNAP recipients to shop for healthy groceries
Meijer, the leading supermarket chain, has launched a new feature in its mobile app that allows customers to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase food more conveniently.
From now on, users can employ their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to make purchases through the Meijer app. This tool offers options such as in-store pickup, home delivery and a shopping and scanning system that streamlines the payment process.
The launch of this initiative came last week, coinciding with the time when many Midwest families with SNAP-eligible students would receive an additional $40 per month in EBT benefits during the summer months.
“Meijer is a family-owned business committed to serving other families throughout the Midwest,” said Calli Schmid, Meijer’s vice president of grocery. “By accepting SNAP benefits on the Meijer app, we give participants more options and flexibility to shop for the foods they need and want, while reducing barriers that may prevent them from eating well.”
In addition, Meijer has introduced free home delivery and new discounts for SNAP users, such as 40% off skim and 1% milk, as well as 10% off selected products. These offers are available both online and in the physical store.
To add an EBT card to their account, customers can go to customer service at Meijer or complete the process online through Meijer.com.
Benefits of Meijer’s expansion
- Convenience: The app allows SNAP recipients to order food from home, either for home delivery or in-store pickup, which is especially helpful for those with transportation or mobility challenges.
- Variety and flexibility: SNAP benefits acceptance in the app allows users to choose from a wide range of products, promoting a healthy diet with access to fresh foods, meats, dairy and pantry products.
- Discounts and incentives: Meijer offers discounts on healthy foods, incentivizing SNAP participants to make more nutritious choices.
Challenges and controversies
- Technological barriers: Although the app brings convenience, some SNAP users may not have access to smartphones or the Internet, limiting their ability to use this service and accentuating the digital divide.
- Availability of healthy options: The variety of fresh, healthy produce may vary by store location, which could affect SNAP recipients’ ability to find the foods they need.
- Equitable access: While this expansion benefits SNAP users in the Midwest, it does not solve healthy food access problems in other regions of the country with similar challenges.