November SNAP benefits are on hold but grocers, apps are filling food gap

Millions of families are bracing for empty EBT cards this weekend as SNAP benefits pause — spurring grocers, delivery apps and nonprofits to move fast to fill the gap.Why it matters: The SNAP shutdown halts roughly $8 billion a month in federal food assistance — money that usually flows straight into grocery stores and helps feed 42 million Americans.Without it, both low-income households and major retailers like Walmart, Aldi and Kroger feel the pinch.Driving the news: Companies and nonprofits are rolling out new programs to keep food flowing — from free grocery credits to multimillion-dollar donations.Instacart said Friday it is offering 50% off grocery orders (up to $50) for active SNAP users, and expanding its Community Carts campaign to more than 300 food banks, part of a $5 million direct relief effort.DoorDash launched an Emergency Food Response, delivering 1 million free meals through food banks and waiving fees on 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients at select stores with code SNAPDD. The company said Friday 25 grocery partners have joined the effort, and it is also donating food from its DashMart locations.Gopuff is donating up to $10 million in free groceries, offering two $25 credits for SNAP customers with free 15-minute delivery starting Nov. 1 with code SNAPRELIEF.Albertsons is fast-tracking $13 million in holiday gift cards to community food banks through its Nourishing Neighbors program, while H-E-B gave $5 million to Texas food banks plus $1 million for Meals on Wheels programs statewide.Zoom in: The Farmlink Project pledged to move 10 million pounds of produce — about 8.3 million meals — to food banks nationwide by Thanksgiving.The Partnership for a Healthier America, with Instacart and the American Frozen Food Institute, is expanding a pilot that gives families $80 monthly credits to buy frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables.Between the lines: Some companies are doubling down on food-assistance efforts or highlighting hunger-relief work.Flashfood, an app selling discounted groceries, says downloads are up 8x this week as SNAP recipients search for deals.Amazon says it's delivered more than 60 million meals from food banks and will keep providing free delivery for partners through 2028.What they're saying: "We won't let a benefits crisis become a hunger crisis," said Eliza Blank, CEO of The Farmlink Project."As SNAP funding faces unprecedented disruption, we're focused on practical, immediate solutions," said Dani Dudeck, Instacart's chief corporate affairs officer.The bottom line: Corporate America is stepping in to help, though their combined assistance will still be a fraction of what's lost.Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from DoorDash.

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