The Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that ALDI has joined the United States Department of Agriculture's pilot program allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase groceries online in partnership with Instacart.

ALDI is the fifth retailer to be approved for the pilot, which lets SNAP recipients purchase groceries online using SNAP funds through participating retailers approved by the USDA, helping lessen the need for trips out of the home amidst the public health crisis.

ALDI is now available as an option, offering same-day grocery pick-up and delivery through Instacart as available.

ALDI joins four other approved retailers: Amazon, the Fresh Grocer, Shoprite, and Walmart, and since the program's launch. 

Retailers that are interested in participating in this program must contact the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and review the requirements.

Retailers that do not wish to join the pilot program can still offer delivery or pick-up flexibility options for SNAP recipients by using mobile EBT processing equipment that would allow customers to pay with SNAP when groceries are delivered or picked up.

Only eligible food items normally paid for by SNAP are able to be purchased from these retailers online with SNAP benefits.

Delivery fees, driver tips, and other associated charges may not be paid for with SNAP benefits.

This initiative does not include the ability to transact cash assistance benefits using the EBT card, and individuals will need to use another method of payment, such as a pre-paid debit card, to cover non-allowable fees.