As the federal shutdown drags into its fourth week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it will not issue November SNAP benefits, leaving over 42 million Americans — including 21 million children, 16 million working families, and 5 million seniors — without access to food assistance. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated in a public announcement posted Oct. 27.
The USDA, which administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), said no benefits will be issued on November 1 due to a lack of congressional funding. In response, DoorDash said it has launched what it calls an “Emergency Food Response” in partnership with national food banks and grocery chains. Here’s what to know about how DoorDash free meal deliveries will work and who can access them.
DoorDash announced the initiative on October 26, outlining three key actions that it will take in response to the frozen federal aid, including one million free meal deliveries, waived grocery delivery fees for SNAP users, and food donations from DashMart.
“No one should go hungry in America — period,” said Max Rettig, Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy at DoorDash. “Millions of families are worried right now about how they’ll put food on the table. Fighting hunger is core to our mission at DoorDash, and we’re stepping up alongside leading grocers and retailers to help bridge the gap. We know this is a stopgap, not a solution. But doing nothing simply isn’t an option.”
How Will the DoorDash Free Deliveries Work?
The San Francisco-based company will deliver one million meals through its Project DASH network, at no cost to food banks, pantries, and community organizations across the country. The company is also waiving merchant fees for all 300+ of its food bank partners throughout November.
In partnership with major grocery retailers — including Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, and Ahold Delhaize brands — DoorDash will waive delivery and service fees on up to 300,000 grocery orders placed by customers with a valid SNAP/EBT card linked to their DoorDash account. The offer is valid from November 1 through November 30 and is limited to one order per customer. While the announcement doesn’t clarify how delivery drivers (Dashers) will be compensated for these services, it notes that taxes, fees, and tips still apply.
DoorDash will also donate fresh food, pantry staples, and household items from its DashMart locations to local food banks in affected communities.
“The food security of millions of people who rely on SNAP is at dire risk,” said Eric Mitchell, President of Alliance to End Hunger. “We know that the only viable solution is to ensure SNAP benefits are being delivered in full to those in need of food assistance as soon as possible. We are thankful for the part that companies and organizations across the country like DoorDash can do to try to fill the gap, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make sure SNAP is restored and protected quickly and fully.”
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