The City of Columbia has announced a third-year extension of its Grocery Access Pilot (GAP) program in partnership with Instacart, continuing efforts to combat food insecurity and expand access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities.
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said the city-funded initiative will provide up to 110 households in designated food deserts with a complimentary Instacart+ membership and Instacart Health Fresh Funds stipends for one year. The program helps offset the cost of online grocery delivery, including $0 delivery fees on orders over $10, making it easier for residents to access nutritious food and household essentials.
“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,” Rickenmann said. “Families are relying on this program to put food on the table and access healthier options. We’re proud to extend this partnership with Instacart for another year as we continue investing in practical, community-driven solutions to food insecurity.”
City officials reported strong feedback from participants following the program’s third year. Survey results show:
- 79 percent of participants said they are “very likely” to continue if the program is extended
- 78.6 percent 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, vice president and head of global public policy at Instacart. “When nearly 80 percent 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.”
Supporting research—including a study conducted by No Kid Hungry and the University of Kentucky in partnership with Instacart—indicates that online grocery access can lead to healthier purchasing decisions and improved long-term health outcomes for low-income households.
Now entering its third year, Columbia’s GAP program has become a national model, inspiring similar efforts in Washington, D.C. and other communities. Officials say the initiative offers a scalable framework for addressing food insecurity at the local level.
All current qualifying participants will continue receiving benefits, and additional households may still apply, with approximately 70 spots remaining. The program also provides access to a dedicated Instacart-managed customer support line for participants.
Instacart partners with more than 2,200 retail banners and over 100,000 stores across North America. The company was the first grocery marketplace to offer online SNAP acceptance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and its service reaches more than 98 percent of U.S. households, including the majority of SNAP recipients and residents in food deserts.
For more information or to apply, visit the city’s Grocery Access Program webpage.
