Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) introduced the SNAP Online Access Act to make permanent a pilot program supporting needy American families who receive government Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. 

In its temporary status, the pilot plan has proven its efficacy by providing families with a modern and streamlined way to procure supplies. Making the program permanent also brings regulatory certainty to grocery stores and food retailers that serve their local communities.

“The SNAP Online Access Act makes grocery shopping more convenient for families that are working hard to support themselves,” said Rep. Messmer. “Giving this program permanence encourages retailers, state agencies, and customer advocates to support SNAP participants with a more modern approach to feeding their families.”

BACKGROUND:

The SNAP Online Access Act continues to allow SNAP benefit recipients to buy their groceries online. Since its launch in 2019, the pilot program’s participant numbers have expanded from just eight retailers in eight states, to hundreds of grocers across the nation, proving it has been well tested and well accepted and is ready to become permanent. In a permanent status, it will continue to make life easier for enrollees, and it is convenient for grocers.

This bill also provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the oversight parameters they require to ensure that taxpayer dollars are safely protected.

“I am proud to take part in efforts to provide families and businesses certainty in a time when they need it most. That is why I worked across the aisle to introduce legislation making the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot Program permanent. This bill will provide retailers with the regulatory clarity they need to best serve both our rural and urban communities and ensure families can continue to access the services they depend on,” said Rep. Adam Gray.

“Making SNAP online purchasing permanent provides certainty for families who rely on the program to access essential food, while giving retailers the confidence to invest in and expand online services. Independent grocers have been central partners in modernizing EBT, strengthening program integrity, and delivering SNAP benefits at the community level. As this critical legislation moves forward, clear and consistent USDA guidance will be essential to ensure retailers can offer SNAP online purchasing reliably and efficiently in the communities they serve,” said Stephanie Johnson, National Grocers Association Vice President of Government Relations.

“Since its launch in 2019, the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot has grown from just eight retailers in eight states, including several FMI members, to hundreds of retailers nationwide. Making SNAP Online permanent will give retailers the certainty they need to invest and innovate, while ensuring SNAP participants – especially those in working households and communities where grocery access may be limited – can access food in ways that fit their lives. FMI is grateful to Reps. Messmer and Gray for leading this important effort to establish SNAP Online as a permanent option for millions of American households to meet their grocery needs,” said Jennifer Hatcher, FMI – Food Industry Association Chief Public Policy Officer.

“SNAP online purchasing has become an essential part of how families access food today. NACS strongly supports the SNAP Online Access Act and making the program permanent so SNAP retailers will have the regulatory clarity needed to keep investing in and improving this service to strengthen food access across the country,” said Margaret Mannion, National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Director of Government Relations.

“SNAP is one of the most effective tools we have to fight hunger, and making USDA's online purchasing pilot permanent would help families across the country continue to get the healthy food they need. Nearly 3 million people are using SNAP on DoorDash today, and two-thirds of customers using SNAP on our platform said it has helped change their eating habits. This bill is about meeting those people where they are and making sure they can keep putting nutritious food on the table. We’re proud to stand with Reps. Gray and Messmer on this opportunity to lock in a solution that’s already working,” said Max Rettig, DoorDash Vice President and Head of Global Public Policy.

“At Instacart, we recognize that accepting SNAP online has become an essential way for many families to reliably access nutritious food. Making this program permanent through the Online SNAP Access Act would provide greater certainty for those families, while creating clearer and more consistent opportunities for retailers – including the many small and regional grocers on our platform – to use technology to serve their communities. We thank Representatives Messmer and Gray for their bipartisan leadership, and we’re proud to have long advocated for greater certainty and permanence for online SNAP to support families and the retailers that serve them,” said Casey Aden-Wansbury, Instacart Vice President and Head of Global Public Policy.

“Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase groceries online has been revolutionary. Its advantages include greater convenience and time-savings, reduction in stigma and it even has resulted in increased purchases of fruits and vegetables compared to in-store shoppers. It’s time for USDA to make this pilot program permanent. The Messmer-Gray SNAP Online Access Act calls for permanence and importantly, recognizes the importance of stakeholder consultation which may lead to even greater program improvements,” said Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger, Director, Coalitions & Advocacy.

For more information about Rep. Messmer’s work for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, click here.

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