One Florida shopper, who spoke to CNN Business on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, said an internal “leaderboard” recently showed there were 900 active shoppers in their area, up from 400 less than a year ago. A Colorado shopper, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a similar spike in their region based on the same information.

“When I would go to the bathroom I would take my phone with me,” the Florida shopper said. “You’re afraid you’re going to miss an order.”

The ability to pick up worthwhile batches became so difficult that the Florida shopper, who has worked for the company for nearly a year, has temporarily picked up a part-time job as an in-store shopper for a local grocer to make ends meet.

Others have come close to giving up on Instacart.

Daisy Cevallos, who is based in Southern California, and has worked for Instacart for nearly two years, said she’s largely stopped delivering for the service in recent months due to the low orders. “I couldn’t catch an order worth catching,” she said, adding that “out of desperation,” she searched for alternatives. She continues to deliver groceries for her own clients through an emerging startup called Dumpling, but hasn’t written off Instacart.

Among longtime shoppers who remain active on the platform, they worry both about their own livelihoods — with the hiring spree being just the latest reminder that Instacart can quickly fill jobs and edge out workers — and the overall quality of service on the platform from newer shoppers.