Washington Safeway stores are making strides to address food insecurity. On Jan. 6, all Washington Safeway stores became the first grocery stores across the United States to provide online benefits and additional services to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, recipients.
SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides low-income individuals and families with access to select food items at authorized stores nationwide using a special debit card.
In November, 10% of Whatcom County residents (21,300 individuals) were SNAP recipients and many more who are eligible for these benefits don’t use them. There are over 905,000 recipients across Washington state. Food insecurity continues to grow as the omicron variant spreads and the Child Tax Credit has expired.
“Food insecurity is a problem this nation can and should solve,” said Sara Osborne, Safeway’s Director of External Affairs. “Food banks can’t do it alone, and we think grocery stores are the cornerstone to solving this issue.”
SNAP recipients can now make easy payments with their Electronic Benefits Transfer card, order online using Safeway’s website, access home delivery options and easy grocery pickup. Additionally, SNAP customers can now view their accounts, benefits and eligible products online.
With the addition of the SNAP Produce Match program, through Safeway’s partnership with the Washington Department of Health, recipients get benefits that promote healthy eating through produce consumption.
In January, Safeway’s Nourish Everyone Campaign will distribute $6 million worth of grocery cards to over 200 community organizations that support people experiencing food insecurity in both Washington and Alaska.
