*Offer ends November 30, 2024, and is valid one per account. Active Instacart+ members (on paid or trial memberships, including Family Account members) are not eligible for the offer. Instacart+ terms apply Other taxes, fees, and/or tips may apply. With Instacart+, the delivery fee will not be charged on orders over $35 per retailer. While supplies last. Non-transferrable.
GROCERY ACCESS PROGRAM (GAP)
If you live in a food desert and have trouble accessing groceries and home supplies, the City of Columbia is here to help with the GAP Program. The City of Columbia, in partnership with Instacart, brings you free grocery delivery on orders over $35 with a free year of Instacart+. If you are eligible, you could get food and home goods delivered without delivery fees on orders over $35 for one year.*
WHY APPLY?
If you live in a food desert, the GAP program can help. The City of Columbia, in partnership with Instacart, brings you accessible online grocery delivery*. If you are eligible, you could get food and home goods delivered without delivery fees for one year. Apply today!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We score applicants based on their distance from a grocery store after verifying they qualify for needs-based assistance. Points are added for dependents and lack of vehicle ownership. The higher the score, the sooner you could benefit from this service.
ELIGIBILITY
If you live over 1 mile from a grocery store and are eligible for needs-based assistance, this program is for you.
SUPPORT
Park and Recreation staff will verify eligibility, assist with applications, and provide technical assistance, if needed.
SIGN-UP
Visit any of the designated Parks and Recreation facilities for your district or apply online.
IN-PERSON APPLICATION LOCATIONS
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District 1: Hyatt Park (Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
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District 2: Bellfield Center (Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
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District 3: Woodland Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 8:00 PM)
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District 4: Heathwood Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is Eligible?
If you’re living over one mile from a grocery store and are eligible for needs-based assistance, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security Disability, this program is for you.
How Does It Work?
You can apply if you meet the program eligibility – live in a verified food desert (over one mile from a grocery store) and are eligible for needs-based assistance. You can check your eligibility with the GIS Verification Tool.
We will score applicants based on their distance from a grocery store, number of dependents, and ownership of a vehicle.
The goal is to accept as many as possible into the pilot. We will use the points system to determine the priority of acceptance for the pilot program with hopes to expand to all eligible applicants in the future.
Who Can Help You With Your Application?
The Parks and Recreation Department will guide you through every step – connecting you with the application, assisting with service registration, and even providing technical assistance for placing orders with community partners.
- District 1: Hyatt Park (Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- District 2: Bellfield Center (Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- District 3: Woodland Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 8:00 PM)
- District 4: Heathwood Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM)
Why Should You Apply?
This one-of-a-kind program provides a solution to your grocery shopping needs. Get fresh groceries and home goods delivered right to your doorstep for a year through Instacart.
If you have a barrier to utilizing online grocery delivery, we have community partners ready to help. Please self-disclose difficulties you may have on the application. In addition, all accepted into the program will have the opportunity to attend an in-person training to learn how to get set up in the program. You can utilize an existing Instacart account OR create a new one.
How to Apply
We encourage everyone to apply online. Staff will also be available at the below City of Columbia Parks and Recreation facilities during operation hours to assist.
- District 1: Hyatt Park (Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- District 2: Bellfield Center (Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- District 3: Woodland Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 8:00 PM)
- District 4: Heathwood Park (Monday-Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM)
Where Can You Shop With By Zip Code with Instacart?
| Zip Code | % Household Coverage | Retail Partners |
| 29223 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29061 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29212 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29206 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29201 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29063 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29229 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29209 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29045 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Save A Lot, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29205 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29208 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29204 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29210 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29207 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
| 29203 | 100% | ALDI, Earth Fare Market, Food Lion, Kroger, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly Southeast, Publix, Target, The Fresh Market |
Can I Use My SNAP Benefits?
Yes! Instacart allows you to use your South Carolina SNAP benefits. If you are accepted into the pilot program, you will receive instructions on how to sync your benefits.
Is the GAP Program Providing Groceries?
No, the program is providing a complimentary Instacart+ memberships for unlimited free grocery delivery for orders over $35 in addition to a $5 monthly stipend to assist with covering service fees. The program does not cover groceries or home goods, only assists with delivery and service fees.
Note: This is a pilot program, and spaces are limited.
*Participants will receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership for unlimited free grocery delivery for orders over $35 and a monthly $5 stipend to assist with service fees.