New partnership with Forage facilitates integration of EBT cards into platform, expanding food access for vulnerable communities
DoorDash has launched a groundbreaking initiative that allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries to use their benefits as a payment method on the platform. This collaboration is made possible through a partnership with Forage, a company specialising in payment solutions, which has facilitated the integration of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards into DoorDash.
Success and Expansion of Food Access
Since the introduction of the EBT card payment option, more than 1.1 million users have added their SNAP/EBT cards to the DoorDash platform, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and utility. This effort not only expands access to food for SNAP recipients, but also simplifies the USDA authorisation process for retailers, accelerating their ability to accept SNAP payments.
Commitment to Vulnerable Communities
Fuad Hannon, DoorDash’s vice president of new vertical markets, underlined the importance of this partnership: «Our partnership with Forage supports our commitment to increasing food access for vulnerable communities. This move will benefit more than 14 million people in food deserts and more than 40 million in communities where one in ten households already receive SNAP benefits.
Social Impact and Corporate Responsibility
This initiative highlights DoorDash’s dedication to social responsibility and the importance of technology solutions to address community needs. Ofek Lavian, co-founder and CEO of Forage, expressed his enthusiasm: «We are thrilled to partner with DoorDash and expand on-demand grocery delivery for SNAP shoppers. This collaboration is at the core of our mission and we are very proud to play a role in removing as many barriers as possible when it comes to increasing food access for low-income Americans».
Experts and corporate leaders have supported this expansion of SNAP benefits. Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, called the new partnership a «step in the right direction,» adding, «There will always be those who ridicule SNAP benefits in general and will be upset by any change that makes them more accessible to those who qualify.
Benefits for Diverse Communities
Expanding SNAP/EBT payments addresses multiple problems exacerbated by the pandemic. This initiative helps families balance work and childcare obligations, eases the stress of grocery shopping for seniors, and supports people with disabilities with mobility issues.
The Future of Assistive Technology in Food Care
In today’s economy, accessing SNAP benefits through a phone app is becoming essential. Lavian noted that this is a logical step that will likely be adopted by other apps in the future, allowing low-income families to gain access to nutritious meals without the added burden of transportation costs.
In conclusion, DoorDash’s initiative to enable SNAP payments represents a significant step forward in the fight against food insecurity, benefiting millions of Americans in need and setting a precedent for other technology platforms.