City of Columbia extends partnership with Instacart for third year of Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program

Instacart’s technology connects families in food deserts with online grocery delivery and monthly funds to spend on produce

City of Columbia, South Carolina, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced a third-year extension of the Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program, continuing their partnership to combat food insecurity and expand access to fresh and healthy food for residents living in Columbia’s food deserts.

Through the city-funded program, up to 110 households located in food deserts will receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership and Instacart Health Fresh Funds stipends for one year. Together, the membership and monthly stipends are designed to help cover the cost of online grocery delivery, including providing access to $0 delivery fees for participating residents on all orders over $10. This allows individuals and families living in low-income, low-food-access communities to more easily get the nutritious food and other essentials they need delivered directly to their door.

“Three years ago, we set out to use technology to bring fresh, affordable groceries directly to Columbia residents who need them most—and today, we’re seeing the real impact. Families are relying on this program to put food on the table and access healthier options,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “We’re proud to extend this partnership with Instacart for another year as we continue investing in practical, community-driven solutions to food insecurity.”

Following the third year of the GAP program, the City conducted a participant survey to gather feedback on the experience and measure the program’s impact. The results were overwhelmingly positive:

• 79% of participants indicated they are “Very Likely” to continue participating in the GAP program if extended
• 78.6% said the program improved their ability to provide food for their household “a great deal”

“Three years in, Instacart’s partnership with Mayor Rickenmann and the City of Columbia shows what’s possible when cities and the private sector work together to tackle food insecurity,” said Casey Aden-Wansbury, Instacart’s Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy. “When nearly 80% of participants tell us this program has significantly improved their ability to feed their households, it reinforces the important role online grocery can play in expanding access for underserved communities. We’re proud to continue our partnership with such a pioneering city to help more families put nutritious food on the table.”

Research, including a study conducted by No Kid Hungry and the University of Kentucky in partnership with Instacart, shows that online grocery access leads to healthier purchasing decisions and better long-term health outcomes for low-income households. The success of Columbia’s GAP program — now entering its third year — has made it a national model, inspiring similar initiatives in Washington, D.C. and beyond. For state and local leaders across the country looking to address food insecurity with proven, cost-effective solutions, the GAP program offers a ready-made blueprint that can be adapted to meet the needs of any community.

All current participants who qualify will continue to receive benefits, and eligible applicants may still apply, as 70 spots remain available. To learn more about qualification requirements and how to apply, please visit the GAP Program’s Strategic Initiative webpage.

With the extension, participants will also benefit from additional resources, including access to an Instacart-managed customer care support line at (888) 246-7822. This dedicated service is available to address questions and concerns for GAP program participants.

Instacart partners with more than 2,200 retail banners and over 100,000 stores across North America. The company is dedicated to expanding access to nutritious foods and is the first grocery marketplace to offer online SNAP acceptance in all 50 states and Washington D.C. The service is accessible to more than 98% of U.S. households – including nearly 98% of SNAP households nationwide and 95% of residents in food deserts — demonstrating that technology can be a powerful tool for delivering nutritious food to underserved communities while improving the efficiency of public benefit dollars.