Indies Now Able to Take Ecommerce SNAP Pay

Ecommerce platform provider Rosie has revealed that independent grocers using its ecommerce app can now offer customers the ability to shop online and pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -eligible items in stores using their EBT benefits.

Unveiled at The NGA Show, hosted in Las Vegas by the National Grocers Association (NGA) Feb. 12-15, the new capability comes via funding from CenterState CEO's Grants for Growth Program. CenterState CEO is a central New York organization committed to regional prosperity through business growth and success. It provided $100,000 to Rosie to develop the technology, operational procedures and systems to manage food security, access and nutrition issues on a national scale for the EBT/SNAP program.

In January, Buffalo, N.Y.-based independent grocer Dash's Market, a retail partner of Rosie's, was selected to take part in the federal pilot program to enable SNAP participants to purchase their groceries online. Participating in the pilot will enable Rosie to accept online payment for SNAP/EBT, allowing the grocer to extend its existing functionality to enable home delivery, with the goal of helping Dash's launch SNAP delivery services in late August, in accordance with USDA timelines. Amazon.com, FreshDirect, Safeway, ShopRite and Hy-Vee also were chosen to participate in the program.

In addition, Vowell’s Marketplace, a Mississippi-based supermarket chain with 21 locations, recently decided to use Ithaca, N.Y.-based Rosie to develop its ecommerce program, mainly because of the SNAP capabilities.

“We looked at all options for ecommerce,” said Todd Vowell, Vowell's president. “Rosie was the only company to offer this SNAP payment capability. We’re launching our online shopping service with curbside pickup, and we believe that will pair well with this payment functionality.”