Fresh Funds: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Good Food for All - Instacart

IMPORTANT UPDATE: FRESH FUNDS WILL NOT BE RELOADED UNTIL MARCH 9 DUE TO A TECHNICAL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

Sign up Questions

What are the steps to participating?

  • In early January, you will receive a sign up link via the email you provided to your Good Food for All pick-up location.

  • Then you will create an account at Instacart.com if you do not already have one.

  • PHA will then send you an email with a unique sign up code to activate Instacart’s Fresh Funds. When you use this code, you will receive a complimentary Instacart + membership and $50/month from February - April 2023.

What is the enrollment period?

January 6, 2023 to January 13, 2023.

What information do I need to provide to register?

  • Full Name
  • Email Address
  • Zip Code
  • Phone number (this is optional but recommended).

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 $50 Fresh Funds and Instacart+ membership.

What information do I need to provide to sign up at Instacart?

  • Full Name
  • Valid Delivery Address
  • Email
  • Payment information (credit, debit, and/or SNAP/EBT)

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?

Instacart allows only one personal account per person or household. If you already have an account, you do not need to create a new one for this program, you may use your existing Instacart account.

Program Questions

What are Fresh Funds?

Fresh Funds provide $50 each month for three months to buy fresh fruits and vegetables on Instacart.com, and free Instacart+ membership for 4 months. This is a follow on program from Good Food for All to promote a healthy habit of produce.

What is an Instacart+ membership?

Instacart+ memberships are FREE to GFA participants and include:

  • Unlimited free deliveries on all orders of $35 or more. You must meet the $35 order minimum for free delivery.

  • You can also enjoy the following exclusive benefits on every order—

    • $0 delivery fees on orders of $35 or more (typically starting at $3.99 for non-Instacart+).
    • 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.

Your membership includes four months free of Instacart+ for one account, which shall take effect immediately when 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.

How do I enable Fresh Funds?

  • Customers must redeem on instacart.com/freshfunds/ or instacart.com/freshfunds/pha. They cannot redeem within the app in the add gift card section.
  • Customers can check if they have the funds by doing the following, here is the link to the Fresh Funds help center for more details. On the website
    • 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

Do the Fresh Funds rollover from month to month?

No, the $50 must be spent in that month, any remaining will be removed from your account at the end of the month.

What can I spend the $50/month on?

Fresh Funds can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at Instacart.com.

How long will I receive the $50/month benefit?

You will receive $50 per month from February through April 2023.

  • Your Instacart+ membership, which provides free delivery on orders $35+, will be provided in the month of May as well.

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

Each month, your money will be deposited on the 1st of the month (February 1st, March 1st and April 1st).

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
    • Payment information (credit, debit, and/or SNAP/EBT)

  • Add all items to your cart that you would like to purchase.

  • Upon checkout, Fresh Funds will deduct the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, service and delivery fees. You may add other items to your Instacart basket, but please note these will not be covered by Fresh Funds.

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

Yes, you need to add a backup payment to check out. Acceptable forms of backup 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.

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 15% higher than your estimated order total.

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 1-888-246-7822 and an Instacart care agent will be happy to assist you.

How does delivery work?

  • Schedule delivery for as fast as an hour, or for later in the day or week to fit your schedule.

  • Delivery is 9 am to 12pm (midnight). Check local store hours. Delivery hours are subject to store operating hours, which includes holidays.

  • You can choose to meet your shopper at the door when they arrive, or simply have them leave your groceries on your doorstep.

Can I pick up my order instead?

Yes, you simply shop on Instacart’s website or app, select a pickup time, then pick up your groceries at the store. Pick up is available at select locations.

Have questions, concerns, or feedback?

Please fill out the form below with your questions, concerns, and feedback and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.