Independence launches a free grocery delivery program. Here’s how to apply

Kynala Phillips

The city of Independence is launching a new program providing free grocery delivery to households that qualify as part of an effort to address food insecurity and health disparities in the city by making it easier to have fresh food sent directly to your door step. The program covers the cost of the delivery service from HyVee, but not of the groceries themselves.

The city’s Health and Animal Services Department is now accepting applications for the free grocery delivery subscriptions. The program has the capacity to assist about 2,000 households, according to the department.

“Providing both high-risk and underserved populations in Independence with a subscription for grocery delivery service could reduce their risk of outside exposures and increase access to healthful foods,” Independence Health and Animal Services director Christina Heinen said in a statement.

By partnering with HyVee, the families who qualify will get a HyVee+ subscription, which will grant them access to free grocery deliveries, however, the cost of the actual groceries will not be included.

HyVee’s subscription service does accept EBT and WIC for online payments. So, families who qualify for those programs will still be able to use their benefits while ordering groceries online.

“We are hopeful that by helping families with this one burden, they can better isolate when ill, eat healthier, seek out help when needed, and connect with resources in our community more effectively,” Heinen said.

Here’s what else you need to know:

There was no shortage of cars and shoppers at the Hy-Vee grocery store, 6655 Martway St., on Saturday, April 11, 2020, in Mission, Kansas. Grocery shopping is essential and allowed under the stay-at-home order. CORONAVIRUSKC
There was no shortage of cars and shoppers at the Hy-Vee grocery store, 6655 Martway St., on Saturday, April 11, 2020, in Mission, Kansas. Grocery shopping is essential and allowed under the stay-at-home order. CORONAVIRUSKC

Who is eligible for free grocery delivery in Independence?

The new grocery delivery program is for communities that have been traditionally underserved. The application will ask a series of questions about each household’s demographics and income. There are also specific criteria that households need to meet in order to qualify.

  • Households that are recipients of WIC, SNAP, TANF

  • Households that receive unemployment or disability benefits

  • Families that receive Medicare or Medicaid

  • Households with a member that is positive for COVID-19

How do you apply for free grocery delivery?

Currently the application is not available online. In order to apply, applicants need to visit Independence City Hall or a participating organization listed below to fill out the application. If getting to an in-person location to apply is not possible, applications can also be emailed or mailed to people who need them by calling 816-325-7986.

The application should be available to print out soon, according to the health department. To check to see if it’s available, visit indep.us/health. In the meantime, applicants can grab an application at one of the following sites:

If you would like to apply for SNAP benefits (like EBT), visit here to fill out an application.

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