This article contains information about Fresh Funds and how to use them on Instacart. For more information on the Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) Redemption, please see the following help article: Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) Redemption Instructions FAQ
1. What are "Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)"?
3. What is the Instacart Marketplace?
4. What is required to use Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
5. When do you receive your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
6. How do you receive your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
7. How do you redeem your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
8. Where can I see the Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes I have redeemed so far?
9. What if I am unable to receive text messages or emails?
10. What can you buy with Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
11. How do you know if a food item is eligible for Foodsmart Bucks ( Fresh Funds)?
12. What if I don't have another form of payment? Will my credit/debit card be charged?
13. How will I be able to select my Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) towards my purchase?
14. Can I use my EBT card to pay for my order?
15. How do I receive my groceries once I place a delivery order?
16. How do I receive my groceries once I place a pick up order?
17. Do Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) expire?
18. How many incentives can I use at one time? Can I “stack” or save incentives?
19. What about delivery fees, service fees, taxes, etc.?
20. I am still being charged service fees - I thought Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) covered that?
21. Why is my final total different from the total at checkout?
What are “Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)”?
“Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)” is the title of our rewards program offered through Instacart for meeting with a Foodsmart Dietitian. They can be used to purchase select healthy food items in Instacart on our unique landing page, called the Instacart marketplace.
What is Instacart?
Shop from your favorite national and regional grocery stores with your computer or mobile device. Schedule delivery for as fast as an hour, or for later in the day or week to fit your schedule. Meet your shopper at your door to get your groceries. The Instacart platform also offers a pickup option. You simply shop Instacart's website or app, select a pickup time, then pick up your groceries at the store.
What is the Instacart Marketplace?
It is Foodsmart’s shopping portal that brings you healthy choices to easily select from. It operates just like Instacart, but with healthy food choices at the forefront.
What is required to use Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
To redeem Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds), you must have:
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An account on Instacart.com (click here to create an account)
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A debit, credit, or an Instacart gift card on file in your Instacart account
- 15% of your order could be held on this form of payment and then will be refunded in 5-7 business days. If your form of payment does not cover it, your order could possibly not be completed. This is an Instacart internal policy with no exception.
NOTE that you “may be required to add a secondary payment method to use Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)” per FAQ page
When do you receive your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh funds) are sent a couple of days after you complete your telenutrition appointment
How do you receive your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
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Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) are provided via the Foodsmart.com, a link sent in an email and text message. This is based on what information you have listed in your chart.
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Foodsmart.com Account: Log into your Foodsmart.com account to see you Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes in the home page.
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Go to www.foodsmart.com
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Click on Members at the top of the page. A drop down menu will appear. Please move over to Login on the upper right corner and click on Login.
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Enter the email or phone number associated with your account. Click on Sign In.
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Enter your password and click on Sign In. If you have forgotten your password, you can click on Forgot Password to reset it at this time.
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Incentive rewards will be listed on your home page above your scheduled appointments.
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Text Message Content: You will receive a link via text from 650-866-1572 with the reward. The text message clearly states that Foodsmart is the sender and the purpose of the message.
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Android users: make sure to check your spam inbox, if you do not see the SMS
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EmaiI Content: You will receive an email from <delicious@foodsmart.com>
Note: Make sure to check your Social and Spam folders within your email inbox as these emails can sometimes end up there.
How do you redeem your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
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Clink the link you received from the email delicious@foodsmart.com or the link sent via text message that comes from 650-866-1572. After clicking on the link, follow the steps listed on the screen.
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You can also claim Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes by visiting https://www.instacart.com/freshfunds/foodsmart and manually entering your code.
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After claiming all of your codes, they will show up on the checkout page with the balance you can use.
Note: Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes can only be claimed by following the above steps. You cannot put the Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes in the promo code box at checkout. For more information on the Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) Redemption, please see the following help article: Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) Redemption Instructions FAQ
Video tutorial --> HERE
Where can I see the Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes I have redeemed so far?
1. On your browser, navigate to https://www.instacart.com/store/account/manage_promos
2. Scroll down until you see Instacart+ and gift card credits and click on View credit history.
What if I am unable to receive text messages or emails?
If you are unable to receive text messages or emails, you can still login to your Foodsmart Telehealth portal at www.foodsmart.com. They are on the home page above your scheduled visits.
Please see the following video to set up a GMail email account:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfO_iRv9Jro
Gmail Tutorial for Beginners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBIl34VX2dQ
What can you buy with Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
You can use Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) to purchase healthy food options from Instacart or toward your order delivery/fees. “Healthy food choices” are foods that we have deemed as healthy on Instacart's page but excludes desserts, soda, and sugary snacks. It also includes most household essentials and personal care items. All other items not listed can be purchased with your own money, SNAP, etc. You can also save up your incentives to purchase an Instacart+ membership.
How do you know if a food item is eligible for Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds)?
Most items will say “Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) eligible” near the name of the product/item. However, some things will be eligible even without the notation.
What if I don't have another form of payment? Will my credit/debit card be charged?
Instacart requires that you have a debit, credit, or Instacart gift card in order to make an order and use your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds). At times, up to 15% of your order can be held to ensure all fees are covered. It is refunded after 5-7 business days.
How will I be able to select my Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) towards my purchase?
You will be able to select your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) as a way to pay for your order during the check out process. Once you reach the "Pay with" section within the check out page, you can click on "Apply up to $xx.xx Instacart credit". You can also do this with your EBT. You can click on "Apply up to $xx.xx EBT credit".
Can I use my EBT card to pay for my order?
Customers can pay for online orders with a valid EBT card, in full or in part. You can use your EBT card at any participating store, as long as the state that issued your EBT card is currently participating in the SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Currently, Instacart does not accept EBT cash. Once you reach the "Pay with" section within the check out page, you can click on "Apply up to $xx.xx EBT credit".
For more information on how to add your EBT card as a form of payment please visit this article.
How do I receive my groceries once I place a delivery order?
After the items in your order have been picked and packed, a personal shopper will start the delivery process. In some cases, the person who shops your order may not be the one who delivers it.
To make sure you get your delivery as scheduled, we recommend—
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Turning on notifications for the Instacart app
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Keeping an eye out for text messages and phone calls from the delivery driver
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Leaving helpful instructions for parking, gate codes, or other clues to find your home.
For more information on deliveries, please visit this Instacart support article.
How do I receive my groceries once I place a pick up order?
Instacart Pickup gives you the option to order online, set a pickup time, and collect your order at the store. Here’s how it works—
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When your order is ready for pickup, you’ll get a text message or notification on your phone, along with pickup instructions.
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When you get to the store, follow the instructions to let us know you've arrived.
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Depending on the store, you'll either pick up your order inside or wait while we bring your order out to your car.
Retailers who offer pickup will have Pickup under their name on the homepage of your account. To find the nearest pickup location—
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Select the retailer from which you’d like to place your order
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If the retailer offers both delivery and pickup, select Pickup
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Choose your preferred pickup location on the map
Once you’ve selected your location, you can start shopping for your items!
Note: Pick up orders from certain retailers have a "pickup fee" (equivalent to a delivery fee for pickup orders).
Do Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) expire?
You have 4-6 months from the time you receive your Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Fund) codes to claim it and use it!
How many incentives can I use at one time? Can I “stack” or save incentives?
Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) can be saved/stored up and used towards larger purchases if the incentives have the same value.
Example: You can use multiple $25 rewards together.
What about delivery fees, service fees, taxes, etc.?
Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) can be used toward delivery, tax, and some service fees in an order. If there is enough remaining on the Fresh Funds credit, it will automatically apply toward those expenses.
I am still being charged service fees - I thought Foodsmart Bucks (Fresh Funds) covered that?
According to Instacart, the “service fee” helps support the Instacart platform and covers a broad range of operating costs including insurance, background checks, and customer support. Instacart+ members enjoy a reduced service fee. Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. You can view the service fee total on every order at checkout. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
Changes to your order, including replacing or refunding an item, change the service fee. After the order is complete, you’ll see the final cost and service fee total on your digital receipt. For more information about order changes, visit this article. Instacart pickup orders have no service fees, regardless of non-Instacart+ or Instacart+ membership. Shopper tips are separate from any service fees.
See Instacart’s FAQ page for more information
Why is my final total different from the total at checkout?
When you place an order, we show you the anticipated total, including estimated taxes and fees. We also add a temporary buffer to anticipate you or the shopper making changes to your order, even after you placed it. The final total charged to your card may be different if any changes occur during the shopping process, such as—
- An item is out of stock and you’re refunded
- You add an item to your order after checkout
- An item you order needs to be replaced, and the replacement has a different price
- An item you order is sold by weight and the exact weight is slightly different