DoorDash has launched SNAP/EBT payment acceptance for grocery delivery from nearly 2,700 Kroger-family stores, marking a significant expansion of the delivery app's reach into low-income households and the broader U.S. food retail market. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food-purchasing assistance for low-income individuals, while the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is used to access those benefits.
Strategic Implications
This move underscores the growing importance of routine grocery purchases for delivery platforms, which have traditionally focused on restaurant orders. By accepting SNAP/EBT, DoorDash opens its service to a wider demographic of shoppers who may otherwise be excluded from delivery options. According to DoorDash, more than 4.5 million consumers have already added a SNAP card to their app, and over 57,000 stores on the platform now accept SNAP/EBT payments.
The expansion comes at a time when food aid access remains a politically and economically sensitive issue. Preliminary USDA data cited by the Associated Press indicates that SNAP beneficiaries dropped by nearly 4.3 million between January 2025 and January 2026, with researchers attributing the decline primarily to stricter program eligibility rules rather than a reduction in need.
Rollout Details
The Kroger rollout encompasses banners including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, and Mariano's. To incentivize first-time SNAP users, DoorDash is waiving the delivery fee on a customer's initial Kroger-family SNAP order paid with an EBT card through June 15, though other fees may still apply.
“Access to affordable food is fundamental,” said Mike Goldblatt, DoorDash's vice president of enterprise partnerships, in the company's announcement. DoorDash positioned the Kroger launch as a way for millions of eligible consumers to purchase fresh groceries, pantry staples, and household essentials without needing to visit a physical store.
Scale and Background
Kroger brings substantial scale to the partnership. The Cincinnati-based grocer operates 2,698 supermarkets and multi-department stores, along with 2,250 pharmacies and grocery retail operations across 35 states and the District of Columbia. This deal builds on a broader Kroger-DoorDash partnership announced last year, which initially involved limited delivery of items such as sushi, flowers, and prepared meals before expanding to Kroger's full product assortment. Kroger's digital chief, Yael Cosset, noted at the time that “delivery is an increasingly important way” shoppers engage with the grocer.
Competitive Landscape
For DoorDash, the Kroger launch is a strategic play to capture a larger share of the grocery delivery market. The company stated in April that it became the leading third-party marketplace in U.S. grocery and retail by order volume in 2025, citing data from YipitData, though this claim pertains to a specific segment of the delivery market rather than the entire grocery industry.
Rivals are also making moves. Uber announced on Monday that Ahold Delhaize USA's nearly 2,000 stores, including Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop, are now available on Uber Eats with SNAP/EBT support for eligible orders through Forage. Hashim Amin, Uber's North America grocery and retail head, said the partnership adds “fresh, affordable groceries and everyday essentials.”
Instacart already offers EBT SNAP grocery delivery and pickup, listing Kroger among retailers where eligible customers can pay online with a valid EBT card. This means DoorDash's move is not a first-of-its-kind payment innovation but rather an additional route for Kroger shoppers who may already split their grocery spending across multiple apps.
Cost Considerations
Cost remains a significant factor. Kroger informs customers that SNAP benefits cannot cover non-eligible items, tips, delivery, ordering, or convenience fees. The USDA similarly states that SNAP benefits cannot be used for delivery, service, or convenience fees. Kroger also notes that state-level rules began changing SNAP product eligibility from national to state-specific on January 1.
To use the service, customers add a SNAP/EBT card in DoorDash's payment section or at checkout, search for Kroger or a local Kroger banner, and select eligible items. At checkout, DoorDash calculates the maximum SNAP-eligible amount, with any remaining balance requiring an alternative payment method.
Outlook
The true test of this initiative will be whether SNAP households view DoorDash as a regular grocery tool or merely another app that helps when a trip to the store is impractical. Delivery fees, product substitutions, and competing offers from rivals will all influence adoption. The integration of SNAP payments into DoorDash's platform represents a notable step toward making grocery delivery more accessible, but its long-term impact will depend on how well it addresses the financial and logistical barriers that low-income shoppers face.
