Four years ago, the USDA launched a pilot program that allowed food-stamp recipients to order groceries via the Internet and then pay upon delivery with their EBT cards. “Now, the USDA is embarking on a new phase of modernization, a pilot program dictated by the 2014 farm bill that will allow some websites to accept EBT cards online,” says Civil Eats.
The test is expected to begin this spring. Paying online–essentially pre-paying, as with a credit card–would be a convenience, allowing people to be away from home when the delivery arrives. Civil Eats says one of the companies that hopes to participate in the pilot is Farmbox Direct, “a nationwide produce delivery service whose mission is improving access to fresh produce in under-resourced communities.”
“Some consider food delivery to be a luxury service, but the time it saves is a valuable resource for people of all income levels,” said Civil Eats. Advocates say food delivery would be a boon for food-stamp recipients who work erratic hours, have limited access to transportation or have medical limitations.