US-based Forage has disclosed a collaboration with Uber Eats to facilitate payment processing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payments. The partnership is set to commence when Uber Eats launches the service in late 2024.

Representatives of Uber expressed the company's commitment to enhancing food accessibility for all individuals. They emphasized the significance of the collaboration with Forage in ensuring a seamless payment experience for Uber's customers utilizing SNAP benefits. Forage, earlier this year, facilitated the acceptance of SNAP EBT payments for the nation's first online-only retailer.

The company distinguishes itself as the sole dedicated EBT payments provider offering advanced software solutions and a proficient in-house team to assist platforms and retailers in navigating the USDA authorization process. According to available data, more than 17 million Americans reside in food deserts, areas with limited access to nearby grocery stores. However, over 90% of individuals in these areas have access to digital food delivery services like Uber Eats.

In 2021, Uber Eats facilitated the delivery of 226 million orders to such communities nationwide. Forage's representatives expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Uber Eats, highlighting its potential to extend online purchasing and delivery options to more SNAP recipients. They underscored the importance of online SNAP acceptance for millions of Americans and praised the collaboration for its role in expanding EBT acceptance for all retailers on the Uber Eats platform.

About the companies Uber Eats, a globally operating on-demand app and website, collaborates with over 1 million restaurants and merchants across more than 11,000 cities on six continents. The platform offers a wide range of products, from local specialties to household essentials, accessible to users with a simple tap. Forage specializes in building payment infrastructure for processing government benefits, initially focusing on enabling merchants to accept EBT payments in-person and online.

The company aims to empower the 42 million Americans receiving government assistance to utilize their benefits flexibly. As the sole USDA-approved third-party payment processor (TPP), Forage provides partners with cutting-edge software solutions and personalized support, facilitating the integration of complex government payments online and guiding retailers through the USDA authorization process. .