Families Can Soon Use Food Stamps for Online Groceries

Families who rely on food stamps may not be left out of the future of grocery shopping after all. A US Department of Agriculture pilot program will allow Americans in certain areas to use their food stamps at Amazon, FreshDirect, and other online grocery stores, Mashable reports. The program is open to SNAP participants in parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington. "Online purchasing is a potential lifeline for SNAP participants living in urban neighborhoods and rural communities where access to healthy food choices can be limited," USDA secretary Tom Vilsack says in a press release. Under the program, which starts this summer, food stamps can be used for online orders—but not delivery fees—at Amazon, FreshDirect, ShopRite, Safeway, Hy-Vee, Hart's, Dash's Market, and Local Grocers. (More food stamps stories.)