Current:Home > MyAmazon debuts grocery delivery program for Prime members, SNAP recipients -WealthGrow Network
Amazon debuts grocery delivery program for Prime members, SNAP recipients
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:30:30
Amazon on Tuesday debuted a new grocery delivery program for Prime members across the U.S., as well as a lower-cost option for people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the official name for the food-stamp program.
The cost of unlimited grocery delivery from Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh and other local grocers and specialty retailers is $9.99 a month, for orders over $35. The new delivery service is available in more than 3,500 cities and towns across the nation, and includes features such as one-hour delivery windows, Amazon said Tuesday.
Amazon said the cost for people who receive SNAP benefits is $4.99 per month. Food-stamp recipients need to have a registered Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, but don't require a Prime membership to join the food delivery program. Prime costs $139 annually, or $14.99 per month.
The new service comes almost three years after Amazon ended free delivery for its Whole Foods customers, a decision that sparked some annoyance from customers at the time, the Washington Post reported. Meanwhile, rival Walmart offers unlimited grocery delivery as part of its Walmart Plus membership program, which costs $12.95 per month, along with a discounted service for food stamp recipients.
Other companies, like Instacart, charge fees that can start at $3.99 per delivery. Amazon said its new grocery delivery service "pays for itself" after one delivery per month.
"We have many different customers with many different needs, and we want to save them time and money every time they shop for groceries," said Tony Hoggett, senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores at Amazon, in a statement.
Amazon said it is rolling out the program nationally after piloting it in three cities last year. More than 85% of trial participants deemed it a success, according to the company, citing convenience and saving money on delivery fees.
Including food stamp customers in the program is part of Amazon's initiative to help provide affordable grocery services to low-income customers, the company added.
- In:
- Amazon
- Amazon Prime
- Food stamps
Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.
veryGood! (51)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
Ranking
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel