Mission in Motion: 2021 Highlights

Providence SNAP delivery pilot ensures residents with limited mobility have access to healthy, fresh food

A win-win for local food retailers and homebound shoppers

In 2021, RIFPC worked with national and local partners to facilitate a pilot program offering fee-free grocery delivery to Rhode Island SNAP recipients who are homebound or have limited mobility. The pilot offered an online order form as well as reliable customer service and over-the-phone ordering assistance. Payments were processed efficiently and conveniently at point-of-delivery at curbside.

The Providence SNAP Delivery Pilot successfully provided safe, effective food access for Rhode Island residents and enabled SNAP shoppers to spend thousands of dollars at local grocery stores.

PILOT IMPACT

  • 100% of program participants said the program helped them feel and
  • stay safe
  • 88% said the program made it a lot easier for them to buy food and fresh fruits and vegetables
  • 42% often ran out of food before the pilot, while only 8% often ran out of food during the pilot

FUNDING PARTNERS

  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Center for Science in the Public Interest

PROGRAM PARTNERS

  • CartwheelRI
  • City of Providence
  • One Neighborhood Builders
  • West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Fund a dedicated phone line to help SNAP recipients order food for delivery
  • Fund a technical assistance program for locally-owned food retailers to become SNAP-approved and online SNAP-approved vendors