In response to increasing inflation the Department of Agriculture plans to invest in a program that would expand SNAP to online shopping.

“Online grocery shopping is a vital resource that improves access and convenience for all, including low-income families,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services, in a July 7 press release.

To fund the expansion, the USDA is seeking applications for a $5 million competitive grant that would expand the number of retailers that offer SNAP online shopping, the release stated. The initiative is being spearheaded by the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center, which is providing the grant.

“We are excited about this grant’s potential to provide new and existing retailers with tools to redeem SNAP benefits in ways that improve customer service for SNAP participants, especially those that face barriers in traveling to a physical store,” Dean said.

Cyrus Huncharek, senior public policy analyst at the National Disability Rights Network, shared her thoughts on the initiative.

"SNAP online purchasing is particularly important to the communities we serve because of continued fear of contracting COVID-19 in a grocery store, the risk of exposure to other transmissible diseases, accessibility issues both in store and with transportation, and pre-existing burdens on family caregivers,” Huncharek said. “We appreciate USDA’s thoughtfulness and stewardship of this crucial technical assistance.”