Senator Stabenow Announces Michigan Families Approved to Use Food Assistance to Purchase Groceries Online

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced Michigan will participate in an innovative program that will allow families to purchase groceries online using food assistance. As author of the 2014 Farm Bill, Senator Stabenow created the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Online Purchasing pilot program.

“During this public health crisis, every family in Michigan needs safe and reliable access to food,” said Senator Stabenow. “Allowing families to use food assistance to buy groceries online will help them put food on the table while preventing the spread of the virus.”

Previously, Michigan families receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program had to purchase, pick up, or receive their groceries in person in order to use their benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Michigan’s request to allow online purchasing, making it possible for families to receive groceries without having to leave their homes. The retailers currently approved to accept online food assistance benefits in Michigan are Amazon and Walmart.

This announcement comes after Michigan became the first state in the nation to provide additional nutrition assistance for 750,000 children who lost access to school meals during closures. Stabenow led the effort to ensure the new Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program was included in the Families First Coronavirus Act.

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