Online grocers on Shopify can now accept SNAP EBT payments, thanks to the Forage EBT Gateway app. It is the first payment gateway that allows Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the multinational e-commerce platform.
Forage is all about increasing food access in underserved markets. Our new Shopify app not only helps more merchants accept SNAP online, it also improves access to food for the millions of people receiving food assistance.
Ofek Lavian, CEO, Forage
How it Works?
The app provides payment and PIN technologies to help merchants process all EBT-compliant transactions. Store owners can easily generate receipts, make accurate EBT calculations and split tender using Forage EBT Gateway app.
Forage is expected to make its app live with all features to assist SNAP EBT online acceptance in the coming weeks. It is already working in association with many Shopify merchants on an on-demand basis.
“At the core of Shopify’s Ecosystem is our community of developers who give merchants access to critical commerce technology. We’re happy to welcome Forage to the Shopify App Store, bringing its insight and experience in SNAP EBT acceptance to Shopify’s merchants,” Sid Murlidhar, Shopify Director of Partnerships, said as quoted by globenewswire.com.
Forage CEO Ofek Lavian shared his objective saying: “Forage is all about increasing food access in underserved markets. Our new Shopify app not only helps more merchants accept SNAP online, it also improves access to food for the millions of people receiving food assistance. We are at the very beginning of this journey, and excited for the potential in this market”.
What is the SNAP EBT payment system?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government scheme active in the United States to help low and no-income groups purchase food using food stamps. It was earlier known as the Food Stamp Program. The program offers an electronic system called Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) to make purchases online.
More than 10 percent of the population receives SNAP assistance from the government. The country has over 250,000 physical stores that accept payments through food stamps, though not many options are available for participants online.
