Expanding access and empowering communities
At Instacart, we empower people, businesses, and communities to thrive. Every day, we help local businesses grow, create rewarding earnings opportunities for shoppers, and help ensure more people can access the nutritious food they need to live healthy lives.
Jan 15, 2025
Instacart Launches Community Carts for 10 Los Angeles-based YMCAs, Unlocking Crowdsourced Donations for Victims of the LA Wildfires
As wildfires continue to sweep through Los Angeles County, we know that connecting temporary emergency relief centers helping care for tens of thousands of people to the much-needed groceries and supplies they need is more critical than ever. Instacart launched Community Carts for 10 YMCAs providing critical services to those in need.
Read MoreNov 21, 2024
Instacart Launches Groundbreaking SNAP Eligibility Tool to Help Families Access Affordable, Nutritious Food
Food insecurity rates are rising, affecting one in eight individuals, yet many do not realize they might qualify for SNAP benefits. Instacart was the first online grocery platform to launch a SNAP screening tool to consumers, helping families access the relevant state resources they need to apply. “We’re really hopeful that a lot of other corporations and organizations will also follow suit,” said one policy expert from the Food Research and Action Center as he praised the new tool.
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Aug 29, 2024
How Instacart Partnered with Montgomery County to Support Hundreds of Families & Combat Childhood Hunger
This groundbreaking partnership leverages online grocery technology and public funding to fight childhood hunger and support families caught in an important but sometimes overlooked “SNAP Gap”. Leveraging the power of Instacart, Montgomery County is providing up to $400/month in Fresh Funds for a full year to hundreds of local families — including over 1,000 children — who are living with food insecurity but ineligible for SNAP Benefits.
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Expanding access to nutritious food
We’re committed to helping everyone access the nutritious food they need and tapping the power of nutrition to improve health outcomes. That’s why we launched Instacart Health, a new initiative designed to deliver the ingredients for healthier living.
With Instacart Health, we’re introducing new technologies, leading cutting-edge research, expanding our advocacy, and forging new partnerships — all focused on expanding access to nutritious food, making healthy choices easier, and improving health outcomes.
Helping local businesses thrive
We create innovative technologies that help grocers and retailers bring their businesses online and serve their local communities. We also work closely with emerging food brands to help them reach new customers.
In the process, we’re helping local businesses and entrepreneurs grow their companies and create more jobs in their communities.
Delivering for the shopper community
Shoppers are an integral part of the Instacart community. Every day, they help their communities share love through food. We’re committed to providing approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers the same level of support they give customers every day. This includes:
- Flexibility to shop whenever and wherever is best for their schedule
- Rapid access to earnings with instant cashouts
- A first-of-its-kind zeroed-out tip protection program
- A safety toolkit including real-time safety alerts
- The Cart Star rewards program featuring cash-back on gas and discounted backup care for children, pets or seniors
I was a teacher for 30 years, but now that I’m retired, being able to make my own schedule is so important to me. When I wake up in the morning, I know that I’m in charge of my day. I like to be available to help my 85-year-old mother and I love to spend time with my two grandsons. Driving with Instacart gives me the flexibility to spend quality time with my family while still being able to earn extra money.
Caryn D.
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Shopping for Instacart allowed me to pivot my culinary career after an accident, while still doing work that I love. I treat each delivery as if I’m shopping for my own family, and I love how it introduces me to so many new people in my community. The flexibility of setting my own schedule means that I can easily work whenever I am feeling up for it, and not worry about logging off if I need to rest.
Ayanna B.
Fayetteville, Georgia
Shopping has provided me with a way to give back to my community throughout this pandemic. Like many others during this time, I’ve grappled with my own mental health, and Instacart has provided me with the flexibility to shop when it works for me, giving me the freedom to take care of what’s most important right now.
Travis J.
Seattle, Washington
In the News
Downloadable Resources
Instacart Overview
Introduction to Instacart
A brief overview of Instacart’s mission, business and partnerships.
Instacart’s 2023 Economic Impact Report
An analysis of Instacart’s economic impact for retailers, brands, shoppers, and customers.
Expanding Access to Nutritious Food
Introduction to Instacart Health
A brief overview of the Instacart Health initiative and related products, partnerships and policy advocacy.
Instacart Health Policy Agenda
Instacart’s policy priorities and advocacy commitments related to hunger, nutrition and health.
Helping Local Business Thrive
Executive Summary: Study on Instacart’s Grocery Industry Impact
Summary of 2021 NERA research on the Instacart effect on grocer revenue and job creation
Instacart Business One-Pager
A brief overview of Instacart Business and Instacart's history of supporting small businesses
Delivering for the Shopper Community
National Shopper Survey
A brief overview of shopper demographics, sentiment, and motivations.