"This research shows that the benefits online grocery shopping could have for families on tight food budgets are very real," says Billy Shore.
Contact: Christy Felling, cfelling@strength.org
WASHINGTON, DC — A new research report, "Online Shopping for Low-Income and SNAP Families," shows the positive impact that online grocery shopping has on many families on tight food budgets, including those who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
In the study, conducted by the University of Kentucky on behalf of Share Our Strength with support from Instacart, shoppers reported that the ability to shop for food online:
- Helped stretch limited food budgets by encouraging meal planning, which reduces unnecessary purchases and saves money.
- Increased the number of fruits and vegetables purchased without adding to the overall bill.
- Decreased SNAP stigma by allowing shopping in the privacy of your home.
- Increased access, particularly among people with mobility issues, people without transportation and families with young children who could shop without having to bring small children into a store.
"We've speculated for years about the impact that online grocery shopping could have for families experiencing food insecurity," said Billy Shore, founder and executive chair at Share Our Strength. "While there are still some barriers to online grocery shopping, this research sows that the potential benefits for families on tight food budgets are very real."
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About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America. But millions of kids in the United States live with hunger. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.