Has anyone used Forage's app to accept SNAP/EBT payments?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Seeking ways to accept SNAP/EBT on Shopify, with Forage’s app noted as the only listed option. Concerns include no app reviews, delayed support responses, and the app being hard to find in the Shopify App Store.

Key facts:

  • Forage is legitimate and requires USDA approval to use. However, one merchant chose not to proceed with it.
  • Requests for details on Forage’s timeline and pricing were made; no concrete answers were shared.

Update from a SNAP-approved merchant:

  • Integration with Shopify POS (point of sale) and online is challenging.
  • After a meeting with Forage, they found it overly complex and instead adopted Marketlink.
  • Workflow: mark the sale as paid in Shopify POS via a custom “EBT/SNAP” payment method, then process the actual payment in the Marketlink app.
  • Cost: Marketlink is free for one year via a USDA grant.

Open items:

  • How to process SNAP/EBT payments online in Shopify remains unresolved, despite having USDA approvals.
  • No consensus on the best Shopify-native solution; discussion is ongoing.

Acronyms: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer).

Summarized with AI on December 24. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Hello,

I am currently setting up my store. I wanted to allow EBT payments and see the only app available is this one. I am hesitant to use it as it has no reviews and when I reached out twice to their customer service over a week ago I have yet to get a response. Has anyone used this app?

2

I have not heard from anyone yet. I did my own research and the company is legitimate and requires USDA approval to use, but it is odd it has no reviews and is hidden on the regular app search.

I have decided to not use it for other reasons.

3

Thank you for sharing Jerrod’s email!

How was the meeting you had with Forage? Is there any general information you’d be able/willing to share from that conversation?

Specifically, I’m curious about the timeline and cost.

4

Any update on this? Did you go with another company or service to accept EBT/SNAP benefits or did you decide not to accept those benefits? I am in the process myself and have been SNAP approved by the USDA but trying to get it working with Shopify POS and online does not seem to be easy. I have a meeting with a Forage rep tomorrow and can give more feedback on my experience after that call.

5

Any process on accepting EBT?

I had a meeting with Forage but it seems overly complex. I instead signed up through Marketlink to accept EBT/SNAP benefits. I go through the Shopify POS app and create a payment method called “EBT/SNAP” which marks the transaction as paid. Then I go into the Marketlink app to process the payment.

Marketlink is free for a year through a grant that company received from the USDA.

I still haven’t figured how to process EBT/SNAP online and I received all the approvals to accept in-store and online. I feel like I’m missing out on that opportunity.