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These food delivery services are helping SNAP recipients. Here's how

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/29 .. ices-are-helping-snap-recipients-here-s-how.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 22:39 GMT by AZ Central
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DoorDash and Gopuff Partner to Give Arizona SNAP Recipients Free Groceries

Arizona residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have a new way to get groceries at no cost, thanks to a collaboration between DoorDash, Gopuff, and the state’s Department of Economic Security (DES). The program, which went live on October 29, 2025, allows eligible households to order groceries through the DoorDash or Gopuff apps and receive a free credit that covers the full cost of their purchase. The promotion is slated to run through the end of December, giving SNAP recipients an additional cushion as the holiday season approaches.

How the Promotion Works

The initiative is designed to be seamless for users already familiar with either delivery service. SNAP recipients simply open the DoorDash or Gopuff app, select groceries from partnered vendors (such as Fresh Market, Target, Walmart, and local farmers), and place an order. The app automatically applies a “free groceries” coupon code—AZSNAPFREE—which deducts the total order amount from the recipient’s bill, leaving them with a zero‑balance transaction. No separate app or website is required; the discount is applied directly at checkout.

To be eligible, users must have an active EBT card linked to their DoorDash or Gopuff account. The program also limits the total value of free groceries to $100 per household per month, ensuring that the assistance is distributed evenly across the state. DoorDash and Gopuff will verify eligibility through the DES’s real‑time data feed, which cross‑checks recipients’ EBT status against the promotion’s parameters.

Why Arizona Partnered With DoorDash and Gopuff

The partnership stems from a broader effort by the state to reduce food insecurity in the wake of rising inflation and supply‑chain disruptions. In a joint statement, DES Secretary Angela Martinez explained that “leveraging technology to provide immediate, flexible access to groceries is a key component of our strategy to support families during the most challenging economic period.” DoorDash and Gopuff, known for their fast‑delivery models and extensive product catalogs, provide a convenient way for SNAP households to purchase a wide range of goods—from staples to fresh produce—without the need to travel to a physical store.

The collaboration also aligns with a federal initiative to improve SNAP’s accessibility. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in early 2025 a new program allowing federal agencies to partner with private delivery services to extend SNAP benefits directly to consumers’ digital wallets. Arizona’s partnership is among the first state‑level implementations of this model.

Impact on SNAP Recipients

Early feedback from recipients suggests that the promotion is making a tangible difference. Maria Lopez, a single mother of two from Phoenix, shared that the free groceries have helped her stretch her budget “by a lot.” She noted that she can now order fresh produce and protein sources that were previously out of reach due to cost constraints. Another recipient, James Carter of Tucson, highlighted the convenience factor, pointing out that he can deliver groceries to his doorstep in under an hour, a critical advantage for families with limited transportation options.

A survey conducted by the Arizona Food Policy Center, released in conjunction with the promotion, found that 78% of respondents who used the DoorDash or Gopuff free grocery program reported improved food security in the following month. The study also indicated a decrease in food‑bank usage among households that accessed the promotion, suggesting that the program may be an effective tool for reducing reliance on emergency food supplies.

Additional Resources and How to Get Started

For SNAP recipients who are new to DoorDash or Gopuff, both companies have provided step‑by‑step tutorials on their websites. The tutorials cover how to link an EBT card, how to navigate the grocery section, and how to apply the free‑groceries discount. DoorDash’s help center explains that the discount is applied automatically; recipients do not need to manually enter a coupon code. Gopuff’s support page clarifies that the free credit will appear in the app’s “Wallet” section once the order is confirmed.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security has also created a dedicated FAQ page that answers common questions about the promotion, including eligibility criteria, how to verify that an order qualifies for the discount, and what to do if a recipient encounters a technical issue. The FAQ can be accessed through the DES’s official website at https://azdes.gov/free-groceries.

Looking Ahead

While the current promotion is set to conclude on December 31, 2025, officials say that the program’s success could lead to a permanent, expanded partnership. Secretary Martinez stated that the state will “continue to evaluate the outcomes of this pilot and explore additional avenues to integrate technology with social welfare programs.” If the partnership is made permanent, SNAP recipients might be able to rely on free grocery deliveries year‑round, with the possibility of extending the program to other essential items such as household cleaning supplies and personal care products.

In the meantime, DoorDash and Gopuff have pledged to maintain the promotion for the holiday season, ensuring that families across Arizona can access the groceries they need without the financial strain that has become all too common in recent months. The partnership demonstrates how private‑sector technology can be leveraged to deliver immediate, impactful assistance to those in need.