(TRENTON) – Under a recently announced expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Jersey residents who participate in the program will soon be able to use their benefits to buy food online.
Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) released the following statement in response to the announcement:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we grocery shop. Shoppers now have to wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines in stores. Many retailers have expanded curbside pickup and delivery options for shoppers who would prefer to avoid going inside the store, particularly for those in a high-risk population. However, SNAP recipients were unable to take advantage of online shopping options because their benefits card was not accepted online.
“I’m very pleased the USDA will now make these options available for many of New Jersey’s 674,000 SNAP recipients, so that our most vulnerable residents continue to have consistent access to nutritious meals. SNAP households should have equitable access to safe, convenient online shopping during the pandemic. This pandemic has strengthened our commitment to combatting hunger in our communities.”