Current:Home > InvestAmazon debuts grocery delivery program for Prime members, SNAP recipients -FinanceMind
Amazon debuts grocery delivery program for Prime members, SNAP recipients
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:27:08
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! (22481)
Related
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- 'SNL' cast member Marcello Hernandez's essentials include an iPad, FIFA and whisky
- Save 54% On This Keurig Machine That Makes Hot and Iced Coffee With Ease
- Another QB domino falls as Chicago Bears trade Justin Fields to Pittsburgh Steelers
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Kevin Harlan loses his mind as confetti falls prematurely during Atlantic-10 title game
- Jeremy Renner reveals how Robert Downey Jr. cheered him up after snowplow accident
- Get your 'regency' on: Bath & Body Works unveils new 'Bridgerton' themed collection
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- In images: New England’s ‘Town Meeting’ tradition gives people a direct role in local democracy
Ranking
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- What to know about Caleb Love, the North Carolina transfer who is now leading Arizona
- Kristin Cavallari Shares Photo of Boyfriend Mark Estes Bonding With Her Son
- Police search for gunman in shooting that left 2 people dead, 5 injured in Washington D.C.
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- North West Gives First On-Camera Interview After Announcing First Album
- Lucky Day: Jerome Bettis Jr. follows in father's footsteps, verbally commits to Notre Dame
- Book excerpt: Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham
Recommendation
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Another QB domino falls as Chicago Bears trade Justin Fields to Pittsburgh Steelers
NCAA women's tournament is the main draw for March Madness this year | Opinion
Usher, Fantasia Barrino, ‘Color Purple’ honored at 55th NAACP Image Awards
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Hormel concedes double-dippers had it right, invents chips so all can enjoy snacking bliss
Kristin Cavallari Shares Photo of Boyfriend Mark Estes Bonding With Her Son
'Spring cleaning' for your finances: 12 money moves to make right now