Emil Stuchal is a homebody.
Going to the grocery store is far from his favorite activity.
- New program will allow people who receive SNAP benefits to order groceries online and get them delivered to their home
- Food access is an issue in Western New York. According to the 2017 Census, about 31% of Buffalo individuals are below poverty level
- Walmart and Amazon will be some of the first services to participate
“I think delivery is a great idea. A lot of people don't have transportation or cars," said Stuchal, who lives in Buffalo.
The USDA announced a pilot program that will be launched in New York State.
A new program will allow people who receive SNAP benefits to order groceries online and get them delivered to their home.
In a recent USDA report, about 20 percent of people on food stamps are elderly or disabled.
Stuchal says Buffalo’s long winters make getting groceries more difficult.
"I would totally get my groceries delivered, instead of driving there in a blizzard or something," he said.
The delivery service gives options: Walmart and Amazon will be some of the first services to participate.
Katherine Shick, with Feed More Western New York, says they serve more than 140,000 throughout their four counties.
“Especially toward the end of the month when the food budget runs out, that’s when a lot of people are turning to our pantries, soup kitchens and other relief hunger agencies," said Shick.
Food access is an issue in Western New York. According to the 2017 Census, about 31% of Buffalo individuals are below poverty level.
“So many people who rely on SNAP are working families and they are the people who are working multiple jobs back-to-back trying to make ends meet. So an online purchasing option for their groceries sounds like a really convenient way for people to get nutritious food into their homes," Shick explained.
The new program will not be free. Delivery fees are $10 or less. That'll come out of people's own pockets, not their SNAP benefits. Stuchal says the convenience pays for itself.
"I think it will cut down a lot of problems, as far as getting food," Stuchal explained.
In upper New York State, Walmart will be the first company to accept SNAP for grocery delivery. The USDA says the retailer will be slowly rolling out the system to ensure the program works as planned.
