Fresh Funds: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

June 2026

Everything you need to know about signing up, redeeming your benefits, and shopping with Fresh Funds

Sign Up Questions

What are the steps to participating?

First, you will sign up to participate on PHA’s website.
Then you will create an account at Instacart.com if you do not already have one.
On the day the program launches, PHA will send you an email with a unique link to activate Instacart’s Fresh Funds. It’s important that you do not forward or share this link with anyone else. Doing so will prevent you from being able to redeem your benefits.
Once your code is active, you will receive $80/month for 6 months to buy fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables at any grocery store available on Instacart.
As part of the program, you will also receive a complimentary Instacart+ membership that is valid for 6 months, starting on the day you activate your Fresh Funds code.

What information do I need to provide to register?

Full Name
Email Address
Zip Code
Phone number

Do I have to provide an email address?

Yes, an email address is required to participate. This is how you will receive your promo code for your monthly $80 Fresh Funds and Instacart+ membership.

What information do I need to provide to sign up and place an order at Instacart.com?

Full Name
Valid Delivery Address
Email
Backup payment information (credit, debit, and/or PayPal)

Space is limited. If registration is full, you will be put on a waitlist.

How do I set up an Instacart account?

For more information on how to create an Instacart account and place your first order, watch this video.

Is Instacart free?

Yes, it is free to create an account at Instacart.com.

Can other people in my family sign up?

No. So that we can serve as many families as possible, only one person per household is allowed to sign up.

Can I have two or more accounts?

Your Fresh Funds can only be linked to one account. If you already have an Instacart account, you do not need to create a new one for this program, you may use your existing one.

Program Questions

What are Fresh Funds?

Fresh Funds are credits that can be used on Instacart.com to buy fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. Participants of this program will receive $80 in Fresh Funds each month for 6 months, and a free Instacart+ membership for 6 months. This is a program to promote a healthy habit of produce consumption. See the program questions section below for more program details.

What is an Instacart+ membership?

Instacart+ memberships are FREE to Good Food at Home participants and include:

Free home delivery on orders over $10
Reduced service fees* (The service fee covers a broad range of operating costs including shopper operations, insurance, background checks, and Instacart Care.)

Your Fresh Funds may be used to cover any remaining service fees.

As part of this program, you will receive 6 months free of Instacart+ for one account. Your membership will be activated on the day you redeem your Fresh Funds Code. This offer is non-transferable. BY REDEEMING FRESH FUNDS, YOU AGREE TO THE INSTACART+ TERMS. Your Instacart+ membership and associated benefits will terminate at the end of your trial period.

Do the Fresh Funds roll over from month to month?

No, the $80 can only be spent in that month. Any remaining balance will expire at the end of the month.

What can I spend the $80/month on?

Fresh Funds can be used to purchase fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables at any retailer available on Instacart.com. You can also use your Fresh Funds to pay for service and delivery fees and tips for your personal shopper.

How long will I receive the $80/month benefit?

You will receive $80 per month for 6 months. Your Instacart+ membership, which provides free delivery on orders over $10, is valid for 6 months, starting on the day you redeem your Fresh Funds code.

Redeeming & Using Fresh Funds

How do I redeem my Fresh Funds?

You can redeem your Fresh Funds by clicking on the unique link that PHA will send to your email on program launch day. To check if your Fresh Funds have been successfully redeemed, all you have to do is:

Go to Instacart.com
Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top left-hand corner
Click Add promo or gift card
Check your balance under Fresh Funds

Watch this video for a tutorial:

For more instructions on redeeming your Fresh Funds, visit the Fresh Funds help center.

When can I start using my Fresh Funds at Instacart.com?

You can start using your Fresh Funds on the day you receive your promo code via email. From there on, your $80 benefit will be automatically deposited to your account at the beginning of each month (Fresh Funds will be deposited by the end of the day on the 1st day of the month).

Can I use my SNAP benefits on Instacart?

In addition to using Fresh Funds to shop on Instacart, you can also use your SNAP benefits. For information on how to add your EBT card to Instacart, watch this video.

Shopping & Orders

How do I shop online?

First, create an account at Instacart.com (if you do not already have one). To do that, you will need to provide your: Full name, Valid delivery address, Email, and Payment information (credit, debit, and/or PayPal).
Then select the grocery store you want to shop at
And add all items to your cart that you would like to purchase.
At checkout, your available Fresh Funds credits will be automatically applied to cover the cost of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, plus any service and delivery fees. You can also use your Fresh Funds to give your personal shopper a tip. You may add other items to your Instacart basket, but please note these will not be covered by Fresh Funds and will be charged to the backup payment method you provided when creating your account.

Do I need to add a backup payment to check out, even if my total is covered by my Fresh Funds code?

Yes, if your order totals more than what your Fresh Funds can cover. If so, you will be prompted to add a back up payment to check out. Acceptable forms of back payment include a debit card, credit card or Paypal account. Your backup payment will only be charged if your total is greater than the amount remaining on your Fresh Funds code and/or if you purchased non-eligible Fresh Funds items (eg. meats, household items, drinks etc).

I added a backup payment, but I still can’t check out.

If your total is greater than the amount remaining on your Fresh Funds code, you will need to make sure there are sufficient funds in your backup payment to check out. If you don’t have sufficient funds in your backup payment to cover the remaining balance, you will not be able to check out.

I’m seeing an unexpected charge on my backup payment. Why?

After you place an order on Instacart, you may see a charge or temporary hold on your credit or debit card that you didn’t expect. Instacart places these holds to account for potential changes to the final total that may occur if an item is unavailable or replaced at a different price. Authorization hold amounts vary but are typically only about 5% higher than your estimated order total.

Fresh Funds used first: If you have enough Fresh Funds to cover the full hold, the amount will be taken directly from your Fresh Funds balance, not your backup payment.

Post-checkout charges: Any extra costs after checkout, like last-minute item changes or items not eligible for Fresh Funds (such as household goods or meat), will still be charged to your backup payment.

This hold will be released after your order is delivered, and you will only get charged for the items you receive. Please note that it can take up to 7 days for the pending charge to drop, depending on your bank. For more information on authorization holds, click here.

My order was canceled. What should I do?

Please contact 1.833.285.2200 and an Instacart agent will be happy to assist you.

How does delivery work?

You can schedule delivery for as fast as 30 minutes, or for later in the day or week to fit your schedule. Delivery is available from 9 am to 12am (midnight), depending on each stores’ operating hours.

You can choose to meet your shopper at the door when they arrive or simply have them leave your groceries on your doorstep. You can also leave specific delivery instructions for your shopper at checkout.

Can I pick up my order instead?

Yes, just select a pickup time at checkout, then pick up your groceries at the store when they’re ready. Please note that pick up is only available at select locations.

Checking Out Without a Backup Payment Method

Good news! You do not need to add a backup credit or debit card to use your Fresh Funds as long as your cart total is fully covered by your Fresh Funds balance and you check out on a web browser (not the Instacart app).

Do I have to add a backup payment to use my Fresh Funds?

No. If you prefer to use only your Fresh Funds balance, you can check out without adding a backup payment method — as long as your cart total does not exceed your available Fresh Funds balance. You must complete your order on a web browser (instacart.com), not the mobile app.

How do I check out without a backup payment? (Step-by-step)

Ensure you are shopping on a web browser and not your phone.
Add Fresh Funds-eligible items to your cart. Make sure your cart total, including fees, does not exceed your Fresh Funds balance.
Proceed to checkout and review your order summary, including service and delivery fees.
When prompted to add a backup payment method, simply select Continue — you are not required to add one.
Confirm your order and enjoy your groceries!

Tip: Keep in mind that Instacart places an authorization hold of approximately 5% above your estimated order total. Make sure your Fresh Funds balance can cover this as well.

What changes about my order if I don’t add a backup payment?

If you check out without a backup payment method, please note:

You cannot add new items to your order after checkout.
You cannot increase the quantity of existing items after checkout.
Your replacement preference will automatically be set to “No replacement” and if an item is out of stock, it will be refunded rather than substituted.

If you do explicitly select a replacement item before checkout, it will be honored as long as the replacement does not exceed your remaining Fresh Funds balance.

Can I still tip my shopper without a backup payment?

Yes! Your Fresh Funds can be used to cover service fees, delivery fees, and shopper tips.

I’m still being prompted to add a backup payment. Why?

There are a few situations that may trigger a backup payment prompt even when checking out with Fresh Funds only:

Your cart total exceeds your Fresh Funds balance including the ~5% authorization hold. Try removing items until your balance fully covers the total.
You have another payment method saved. Apple Pay, Google Pay, EBT/SNAP, or any other stored payment method must be temporarily removed from your Instacart wallet.
You have Cart Cash, promotional credits, or gift cards in your account. These must be used or spent on a separate order first. Once your Cart Cash balance reaches zero, the no-backup-payment option will work as expected.

If you’re still having trouble, contact Instacart Fresh Funds support at 1-844-981-3433.

Have questions, concerns, or feedback?

Please contact Instacart Fresh Funds support at 1-844-981-3433.