🥕 Instacart's Stipend Expansion
Instacart, in partnership with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), is expanding its grocery stipends program. The initiative now reaches Chicago, New Orleans, and Wichita, providing assistance to 1,050 families. This expansion is part of their Good Food at Home program, which has already provided over 5M servings of fruits and vegetables. By the end of 2025, Instacart aims to reach 10M servings, doubling their impact on food security in under-resourced communities.
🌆 Three New Cities Added
The program will bring $60 per month in Fresh Funds, Instacart’s grocery stipend, to families in these cities. Specifically, 550 families in Chicago, 250 in New Orleans, and 250 in Wichita will benefit. Instacart is planning to expand to even more cities this fall, though the exact locations haven't been announced. This follows a successful trial of the stipend model in Indianapolis in 2023.
🥦 Addressing Food Insecurity
Instacart’s initiative is part of a broader effort to fight hunger. The company launched Instacart Health in 2022 to address nutrition security and make healthy food more accessible. This program is aligned with their commitment made during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 2022. Instacart's expanded SNAP acceptance also helps reach nearly 98% of U.S. households enrolled in the program, making healthy food more affordable.
📱 Digital Tools and Initiatives
In addition to grocery stipends, Instacart has rolled out other initiatives to improve food access. They offer a discounted Instacart+ membership to SNAP participants and have introduced features like Community Carts, which allows for easier grocery donations. They are also working with healthcare providers to integrate food-as-medicine programs, enhancing their impact on community health. As Chris Rogers, Instacart’s chief business officer, stated, "These efforts are crucial in addressing food insecurity and promoting better health outcomes."
How effective are grocery stipends in addressing food insecurity?
