Online grocer Thrive Market will soon accept SNAP EBT payments, the retailer announced on Wednesday.
It will mark the first time an online-only retailer has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shoppers will be able to use SNAP beginning on Feb. 26. SNAP recipients can sign up for a new Thrive Market membership, enter their EBT card number and PIN, and access over 5,000 organic and sustainable products.
EBT cardholders who join Thrive Market as new members are eligible for a free membership.
Thrive has been working with the USDA to get SNAP EBT payments approved for a decade. The USDA started a pilot program back in 2021 when Thrive Market completed a business requirements document with the federal government to start its SNAP application. Three years later the USDA gave the green light.
According to Thrive Market, based in Los Angeles, nearly 85% of people who live at or below the poverty line have internet access, making it possible for them to purchase groceries online. Furthermore, 17.1 million live in food deserts or may be hours away from the nearest SNAP-approved grocery store.