Since 2017, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Science team has been running a pilot program to accept SNAP benefits for online shopping purchases. Due to recent events, the USDA has worked to fastrack more retailers and organizations to be allowed to take SNAP benefits through their e-commerce solutions.
For AWG retailers, there is only currently one preferred online shopping vendor that can accept SNAP payments – Freshop. Some AWG retailers are already using the program on their Freshop site to accept SNAP payments. Other vendors like Rosie and eGrowcery are working to gain acceptance from the USDA, but that has not come yet.
Being able to capture shoppers who want to pay using EBT online will be important, as that makes your store more accessible to all types of customers.
There is a signup process for stores interested in accepting EBT payments. There is a one-time setup up depending on how many stores are in each group. The process uses a separate gateway, which means online EBT transactions will be funded separately to the retailer.
If you’re interested, contact Stan Wibbenmeyer at (252) 656-4256 or James Murphy at (662) 342-4287.
