Richmond's SNAP recipients now have an online grocery store
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Visuals
SNAP recipients will be able to shop at an online-only grocery store for the first time starting Monday.
Why it matters: Richmond has the third-most SNAP recipients in the state. Limited access to grocery stores — and to transportation to get there — has been a consistent barrier to food security, which is heavily tied to health outcomes.
Zoom in: Nearly 30% of Richmond has low access to a grocery store — a gap that has historically impacted Southside, Northside and the East End, where poverty rates are highest — per a map analysis from Feed Virginia.
- The map also shows that most of the SNAP-accepting retailers in Richmond are smaller markets, gas stations and convenience stores, which aren't guaranteed to have the most nutritional food options.
Driving the news: The change stems from Thrive Market now accepting SNAP EBT payments, aka food stamps, nationwide and making its annual $60 membership free for SNAP recipients, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick writes.
By the numbers: This will affect the more than 886,000 Virginians, or roughly 10% of the state, who participate in SNAP, according to a January report from the Virginia Department of Social Services.
- In Richmond, it's 38,553 residents.
- Henrico has the fourth-highest participation in the state with 38,049 people.
Between the lines: While the digital divide exists, 76% of people with low incomes have at least a smartphone, per the Pew Research Center.
- But that might not account for the possible language and technology barriers we saw shut out some of the city's Latinos and immigrants in the early COVID vaccination days, when online registration was required to make an appointment.