Ralphs Extends Hero Pay, Accepts SNAP

Grocery chain Ralphs has extended its “hero pay” for hourly employees as the coronavirus outbreak persists in Southern California. The Kroger-owned supermarket chain announced in late March it would add $2 to employees’ standard pay rate for all hours worked through April 18. That deadline has been extended to May 2, Ralphs announced Friday. Most grocery chains have implemented some degree of additional “hero pay” or “appreciation pay” for essential employees working shifts despite the associated health risks. Albertsons Cos., which owns such banners as Vons and Pavilions, has given hourly union and non-union workers a temporary $2 raise per hour. Whole Foods, too, added $2 to standard pay rates through the end of April. Also, Ralphs announced it will begin accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits for its grocery pickup service as of April 22. Customers can order groceries online, then pay with their SNAP card at a mobile point-of-sale system once they arrive at the grocery store.