Curbside grocery pickup lets you order online and have your groceries brought out to your car — no delivery fee, no entering the store, no waiting in checkout lines. Several major grocery chains offer this service for free, and many of them accept EBT or SNAP benefits for the food portion of your order.
This guide covers every major store with free curbside pickup, which ones have order minimums, how EBT works for pickup orders, what fees to watch out for, and how to place your first pickup order at each store.
How Grocery Pickup Works
Curbside pickup — sometimes called Drive Up, Click and Collect, or Order Pickup depending on the store — works the same way at almost every retailer.
You shop online through the store’s website or app, add items to your cart, choose a pickup time slot, and pay at checkout. When your order is ready, you drive to the store, check in through the app or by calling a number posted at the pickup parking spot, and a store employee brings your order out to your car. You do not need to go inside.
Most stores allow you to add substitution preferences in case an item is out of stock, and some let you approve or decline substitutions in real time through the app. Pickup orders are typically ready within a few hours of placing them, and most stores offer same-day pickup if you order early enough in the day.
The key things that vary by store are whether pickup is free, whether there is an order minimum to avoid fees, and whether your EBT card can be used to pay for the order online.
Stores with Completely Free Pickup — No Minimum Required
These stores offer free curbside pickup with no order minimum and no pickup fee, as long as the service is available at your location.
Target — Drive Up
Target’s Drive Up program offers free curbside pickup at no charge, with no order minimum. You place your order through the Target app — the website does not support Drive Up, only in-store order pickup. Once your order is ready, Target sends a notification and you check in through the app when you are in the parking lot. A team member brings your order out within a few minutes.
Drive Up is available at most Target locations but not all. Check your local store in the app before placing your first order. Target accepts EBT in-store but does not currently accept EBT as a payment method for online or Drive Up orders, so if you are shopping with Food Stamps, you will need to pay with a different method for pickup.
Sam’s Club — Free Curbside Pickup for Members
Sam’s Club offers free curbside pickup to all active members. You place your order through the Sam’s Club website or app, select a pickup time, and a club associate brings your order out when you arrive. There is no pickup fee and no order minimum beyond what you would normally meet as a warehouse shopper.
Sam’s Club accepts EBT in-store for SNAP-eligible food items. Online EBT payment for pickup orders is not currently supported, so you will need another payment method to complete an online pickup order. You also need an active Sam’s Club membership to use the service.
Whole Foods — Free Pickup Through Amazon
Whole Foods offers free curbside pickup for orders placed through Amazon or the Whole Foods app. Pickup is available at many but not all Whole Foods locations, and there may be a small service fee added depending on your location and order details.
Whole Foods is one of the few stores where EBT is accepted for online pickup orders, because Whole Foods is owned by Amazon and Amazon’s platform supports SNAP EBT payment. You can add your EBT card to your Amazon account and use it to pay for the SNAP-eligible food items in your Whole Foods pickup order. Non-eligible items and any applicable fees must be paid with a separate payment method. See our grocery stores that take EBT guide for more detail on online EBT options.
Stores with Free Pickup When You Meet the Order Minimum
These stores offer free curbside pickup once your order reaches a minimum dollar amount — typically $35. If your order falls below the minimum, a small fee applies.
Walmart — Free Pickup on Orders $35+
Walmart offers free curbside pickup on grocery orders of $35 or more, placed through Walmart.com or the Walmart app. Orders under $35 are charged a below-order-minimum fee that varies by location.
Walmart is one of the best options for EBT shoppers using pickup. Walmart accepts SNAP EBT for online pickup orders — you can add your EBT card in the Walmart app or on Walmart.com during checkout and use it to pay for eligible food items. Non-food items and any fees must be paid with a separate method. Walmart+ members do not get a waiver on the below-minimum fee — the $35 threshold applies to all shoppers equally.
To place a Walmart pickup order with EBT: go to Walmart.com or open the Walmart app, shop as normal, select “Pickup” at checkout, choose your store and time slot, and select your EBT card as payment. Enter your card number if it is not already saved. The system will calculate the SNAP-eligible total and charge it to your EBT balance, then prompt you for a second payment method for any remaining balance.
Kroger — Free Pickup on Orders $35+
Kroger offers free curbside pickup on orders of $35 or more through the Kroger app or website. Orders under $35 are charged a $4.95 pickup fee. Kroger’s pickup service is available at most locations and is called Kroger Pickup or ClickList depending on your region.
Kroger accepts EBT for online pickup orders through its app and website. To use EBT for Kroger pickup, you need to add your EBT card information in the app during checkout. SNAP-eligible items are charged to your EBT balance and a second payment method covers any remainder or fees.
Kroger also has a strong digital coupon program through its app. Digital coupons apply to pickup orders, which means you can stack Kroger digital deals on top of your Food Stamps for even more savings on your pickup order.
Sprouts Farmers Market — Free Pickup on Orders $35+
Sprouts offers free pickup on orders of $35 or more. Orders under $35 are charged a $3.99 pickup fee. Sprouts pickup is available through the Sprouts app and website.
Sprouts accepts EBT in-store but online EBT pickup payment availability varies by location. Check the checkout screen when placing your order to confirm whether EBT is accepted for pickup at your local Sprouts.
Meijer — Free Pickup on Orders $35+
Meijer offers free curbside pickup on orders of $35 or more through the Meijer app or website. Orders under $35 are charged a $4.95 pickup fee. Meijer accepts EBT in-store and online EBT for pickup orders is available at participating locations.
Publix — Free Pickup on Orders $35+
Publix offers free curbside pickup called Publix Curbside on orders of $35 or more. The service is available through the Publix app and website. Publix accepts EBT in-store, but online EBT payment for pickup orders has limited availability — check your local store’s pickup page for current payment options.
Albertsons / Safeway — Free Pickup on Orders $30–$35+
Albertsons and Safeway (which share a parent company) offer free Drive Up and Go curbside pickup on orders meeting their minimum thresholds, which vary slightly by location. Both chains accept EBT in-store, and online EBT payment availability for pickup varies by store. Check your local store’s pickup page when setting up your first order.
H-E-B — Free Pickup (Texas)
H-E-B, the dominant grocery chain in Texas, offers free curbside pickup called Curbside through its app and website with no pickup fee on most orders. H-E-B accepts EBT in-store. Online EBT payment for H-E-B curbside pickup is available at most locations — check the app at checkout to confirm for your specific store.
Grocery Pickup Through Instacart
Several major chains that do not operate their own pickup platforms offer curbside pickup through Instacart, including Aldi, Costco, and various regional grocery chains.
How Instacart Pickup Works
Instacart pickup works differently from store-operated pickup. You place the order through the Instacart app or website, an Instacart shopper picks your order from the store, and you pick it up at a designated spot outside. You are not picking up from a store employee using the store’s own system — you are using Instacart’s shopper network.
Pickup fees through Instacart vary based on how quickly you want the order prepared, the store, and your membership status. Without an Instacart+ membership, pickup fees apply on most orders.
Instacart+ Discounted Membership for EBT Cardholders
Instacart offers a discounted Instacart+ membership for EBT cardholders. As of 2026, the discounted rate is $4.99 per month for the first year (versus the standard membership price). To qualify, you need to have placed at least one EBT SNAP order on Instacart within the last six months.
An Instacart+ membership gives you $0 delivery fees on orders over $10 from most retailers and $0 delivery fees on Costco orders over $35, including curbside pickup orders. Service fees still apply even with a membership — the fee waiver is on delivery fees only.
EBT on Instacart
Instacart accepts SNAP EBT for pickup orders at participating retailers. The food items in your order can be paid with your EBT card. Service fees, pickup fees, and tips cannot be paid with EBT and must be covered by a credit or debit card. You need to have a second payment method on file to complete any Instacart order.
Stores Available Through Instacart Pickup
Availability varies by location, but Instacart pickup is commonly available at Aldi, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Safeway, and a variety of regional and specialty grocery chains. Check the Instacart app and enter your address to see which stores offer pickup in your area.
Does Free Grocery Pickup Accept EBT?
This is the most important question for SNAP shoppers, and the answer varies by store. Here is a clear summary of which major pickup services currently accept EBT.
| Store | Free Pickup | Order Minimum | EBT Accepted for Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Yes | $35 | Yes |
| Kroger | Yes | $35 | Yes |
| Whole Foods (via Amazon) | Yes | None | Yes |
| H-E-B | Yes | Varies | Yes (most locations) |
| Meijer | Yes | $35 | Yes (participating locations) |
| Target | Yes | None | No |
| Sam’s Club | Yes (members) | None | No |
| Sprouts | Yes | $35 | Varies by location |
| Publix | Yes | $35 | Varies by location |
| Albertsons / Safeway | Yes | $30–35 | Varies by location |
| Aldi (via Instacart) | Varies | Varies | Yes (Instacart) |
| Costco (via Instacart) | Varies | Varies | Yes (Instacart) |
For the most up-to-date and complete list of stores accepting EBT online, see our grocery stores that take EBT guide.
How to Place Your First Grocery Pickup Order
If you have never used curbside pickup before, the process is simple. Here is what to do.
Step 1 — Download the store’s app or go to their website.
Most stores require you to shop through their app for pickup orders — particularly for EBT payment, which is not always available through third-party platforms. Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, and Whole Foods via Amazon all have apps that support EBT for pickup.
Step 2 — Create or log into your account.
You will need a free account with the store to place an order. This is also where you add your payment methods — including your EBT card number if EBT pickup is supported.
Step 3 — Enter your store location.
Most apps ask for your zip code or location to show you the correct store and confirm pickup availability. Not every store location offers curbside pickup, so verify this before you start adding items.
Step 4 — Shop and add items to your cart.
Browse and add items as you would on any online store. Pay attention to which items are SNAP-eligible if you are paying with EBT — most apps label eligible items or the checkout process separates them automatically.
Step 5 — Select pickup at checkout.
Choose “pickup” as your fulfillment method and select your preferred time slot. Same-day pickup is usually available if you order at least a few hours in advance. Next-day slots tend to have more availability.
Step 6 — Enter your payment.
Select your EBT card for the SNAP-eligible portion of your order if EBT is supported. You will need a debit or credit card for any non-eligible items, fees, or any balance your EBT does not cover.
Step 7 — Pick up your order.
When you receive a notification that your order is ready, drive to the store’s designated pickup area. Check in through the app, call the number posted at the pickup spot, or use the store’s arrival notification feature. Stay in your car — a store employee will bring the bags to you.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Free Grocery Pickup
Always check whether your location offers pickup before building your cart. Pickup availability varies by store location, not just by chain. A Walmart five miles away may offer pickup; the one closer to you may not. Confirm before you start shopping to avoid having to switch to delivery or in-store shopping at the last minute.
Meet the order minimum to avoid fees. If your store has a $35 order minimum, plan your shopping list to reach it. Stocking up on pantry staples — canned goods, rice, pasta, frozen vegetables — helps you consistently hit the minimum while keeping your per-trip cost lower.
Use digital coupons on your pickup order. Stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons apply digital coupons to pickup orders. Load your digital deals through the store app before checkout and the savings apply automatically. Coupon discounts reduce the price before your EBT card is charged.
Set substitution preferences carefully. When an item is out of stock, the store will substitute something similar unless you opt out. Review the substitution options at checkout and set your preferences. If you have strict budget or dietary needs, consider disabling automatic substitutions and checking whether your items are in stock before choosing that store.
Check that online prices match in-store prices. Grocery pickup prices are usually the same as in-store, especially on the store’s own app. Third-party services like Instacart sometimes charge markup prices on individual items in addition to service fees. If you are using Instacart, compare the listed price to what the item normally costs in-store before adding it to your cart.
Order early for the best time slot availability. Same-day pickup slots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If you know when you need groceries, place your order the night before or early in the morning to secure a time that works for your schedule.
Keep your EBT card number accessible. If you have not saved your EBT card to the store’s app yet, have the card with you when you set up your first pickup order. You will enter the card number manually the first time and it will save for future orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grocery stores offer free pickup with no order minimum?
As of 2026, Target (Drive Up) and Sam’s Club (for members) offer free curbside pickup with no order minimum. Whole Foods via Amazon also offers free pickup with no stated minimum, though a small service fee may apply at some locations.
Can I use EBT for grocery pickup orders?
Yes, at select stores. Walmart and Kroger both accept EBT for online pickup orders through their apps. Whole Foods pickup through Amazon also accepts SNAP EBT. H-E-B accepts EBT for pickup at most Texas locations. Availability at other chains like Publix, Sprouts, and Albertsons varies by location. Target and Sam’s Club do not currently accept EBT for pickup orders.
Does Walmart offer free grocery pickup?
Yes. Walmart offers free curbside grocery pickup on orders of $35 or more. Orders under $35 are charged a small fee that varies by location. Walmart also accepts EBT for pickup orders, making it one of the strongest options for SNAP shoppers who want to use curbside pickup.
Can I use EBT on Instacart for pickup?
Yes. Instacart accepts SNAP EBT for food purchases on pickup orders at participating retailers including Aldi, Costco, and others. You still need a second payment method for service fees, pickup fees, and tips — those cannot be paid with your EBT card. EBT cardholders can also access a discounted Instacart+ membership at $4.99/month for the first year.
Does Kroger offer free grocery pickup?
Yes. Kroger offers free curbside pickup on orders of $35 or more through the Kroger app or website. Orders under $35 are charged a $4.95 fee. Kroger accepts EBT for pickup orders and digital coupons apply to pickup orders too.
What happens if an item I ordered is out of stock?
Most stores allow you to set substitution preferences when you place your order. You can choose to accept similar substitutions, decline substitutions on specific items, or turn off all substitutions. If a substitution is made and you do not want it, you can typically reject it when the store employee brings your order or contact the store’s customer service to request a refund for the substituted item.
Are grocery pickup prices the same as in-store prices?
For store-operated pickup (Walmart, Kroger, Target, etc.), online prices are generally the same as in-store prices. For third-party services like Instacart, individual item prices are sometimes marked up above in-store prices. Always compare the price shown in the app to what you normally pay in-store if you are using a third-party platform.
Can I tip the grocery pickup employee?
For store-operated curbside pickup at Walmart, Target, Kroger, and similar chains, tipping is not expected and typically not possible through the app. For Instacart pickup, where a shopper is picking your order, tipping is customary and handled through the Instacart app. Tips on Instacart cannot be paid with EBT and must come from a credit or debit card.
How far in advance do I need to place a pickup order?
Most stores can fulfill same-day pickup orders placed at least two to four hours in advance. For the best time slot selection, placing your order the evening before or first thing in the morning gives you the most options. During busy periods — weekends, before holidays — slots fill up faster.
Does free pickup save money compared to shopping in-store?
Pickup typically does not add cost if you meet the order minimum, and it can save money indirectly by helping you stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases. When you shop in person, unplanned items end up in the cart. When you shop online for pickup, you are working off a deliberate list, which generally leads to lower total spending and less food waste.
Bottom Line
Free grocery pickup is one of the most practical tools available for stretching a food budget — it saves time, reduces impulse spending, and lets you use EBT at several major chains without paying delivery fees. Walmart and Kroger are the strongest options for SNAP shoppers, offering free pickup on $35+ orders with full EBT support. Whole Foods via Amazon is the best free-pickup option with no minimum and EBT accepted.
For stores near you that accept EBT both in-store and online, see our full list of grocery stores that take EBT. If you want to know everything your SNAP card covers, check out our guide on surprising things you can buy with EBT. And if you want to check how much in Food Stamps you qualify for, use our SNAP Eligibility Calculator.
Last updated: 2026 | Pickup policies, order minimums, and EBT acceptance for online orders are subject to change. Verify current details on the store’s website or app before placing your first order.
