Safeway can play a major role in combating food insecurity and the
spread of coronavirus.
[ [link removed] ][IMG]
Demand that Safeway implement the SNAP online purchasing program.
[ [link removed] ][IMG]
Dear John,
Safeway is being slow to implement the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) online purchasing pilot program designed to allow SNAP
recipients to purchase groceries online. Black families--especially Black
mothers and children who rely on WIC-eligible food--are faced with
visiting multiple grocery locations only to find empty shelves or food
with no nutritional substance.^1 Not to mention, within our vulnerable
community many SNAP benefit recipients are also elderly and disabled,
making it even more important that Safeway develop safer shopping
conditions.^2
In the past three weeks, 17 million people have filed for unemployment.^3
Food insecurity will only exponentially increase as businesses fold and
layoffs continue. Food deserts are most often found in Black communities.
Providing families the opportunity to remain safe within their homes by
using their SNAP benefits online would aid in protecting one of the most
vulnerable communities.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand that Safeway implement the SNAP benefit
online purchase program.
Black families are battling compounded inequalities in the face of this
pandemic and Safeway can play a major role in combating food insecurity
and the spread of coronavirus. By fully implementing the SNAP online
program and waiving delivery fees that cannot be covered by SNAP benefits,
Safeway will aid collective efforts to flatten the curve in U.S.
coronavirus cases, as well as help guarantee a solid food supply in the
homes of the families they serve.
Not only can Safeway play a critical role in combating food insecurity,
this major retailer can further protect Black consumers by ensuring that
the implementation of this program includes data protection which allows
consumers to opt-in for sharing personally identifiable information with
third parties for marketing purposes. The unintended consequences of Black
SNAP recipient data collection can lead to harm in terms of health,
privacy, and economic opportunity, given that Black children are
disproportionately targeted with junk food ads.^4
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand that Safeway implement the SNAP benefit
online purchase program.
Food access and data protection are two of the many barriers to a sound
quality of living Black communities are facing. Black SNAP recipients
should not be subjected to exclusion from online grocery purchasing or
data collection in the process of making purchases. In cities such as
Maryland and New York, food retailers are now demanding masks be worn upon
entrance.^5,6 With masks unavailable in stores or online, along with some
families lacking access to means to purchase them, online grocery shopping
with SNAP benefits is needed more than ever. Safeway can do more to
protect its Black consumers like some of its competitors. In some states,
Walmart is taking strides to implement the online pilot program, and
smaller retailer FreshDirect allows SNAP benefit purchases and waives
delivery fees to ensure there are no out-of-pocket costs for SNAP
consumers. Corporations say ‘we are in this together,’ and it is time they
show it.
[ [link removed] ]SIGN THE PETITION: Demand that Safeway implement the SNAP benefit
online purchase program.
Until justice is real,
--Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Evan, Johnny, Jade, Amanda, Eesha, Samantha,
Marcus, FolaSade, Jennette, Cierra and the rest of the Color Of Change
team
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References:
1. “Viral Tweet Asks Shoppers To Be Mindful Of Not Buying WIC Items,” The
Grio, March 17, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
2. “Most Americans On Food Stamps Must Shop At Stores, Risking
Coronavirus Exposure,” Politico, April 7, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
3. “Jobs Carnage Mounts: 17 Million File For Unemployment In 3 Weeks,”
NPR, April 9, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
4. “Junk Food Ads Disproportionately Target Black And Hispanic Kids,
Study Finds,” NBC News,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
5. “Masks to Be Required in All Maryland Grocery Stores, on Public
Transit,” News4 Washington, April 15, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
6. “De Blasio Asks Customers To Wear Masks In NYC Grocery Stores,” The
Hill, April 15, 2020,
[ [link removed] ][link removed]
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[ [link removed] ]Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black
folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. [ [link removed] ]Help
keep our movement strong.
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