Instacart partnership to address food insecurity for expectant moms
Instacart created a program in partnership with Molina Healthcare of Michigan, providing 600 pregnant plan members with Instacart+ memberships and Instacart Health Fresh Funds grocery stipends to increase healthy food access to reduce birth outcome disparities. Through the program, expectant moms identified as facing food insecurity receive 18 months of Instacart+, offering online grocery shopping and free delivery from grocers on Instacart for pre-selected members identified as having specific social needs. The partnership is a part of Molina’s multi-faceted effort to improve equity for underserved populations throughout Michigan.
A study on preterm births and food insecurity found pregnant women who live more than 1.5 miles from a supermarket are three times more likely to have a child with low birth weight. Study participants said shopping habits were based more on convenience than food quality. The Instacart+ membership allows Molina members to enjoy both convenience and access to healthy options.
“Our Instacart partnership is an important investment in Molina members as we believe all children deserve a healthy start to life and that begins with a healthy mom,” said Terrisca Des Jardins, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Michigan. “Reducing disparities in health outcomes is a top priority and this offering, combined with healthy menus and recipes informed by Molina’s registered dietitians, fosters good eating habits that benefit both mother and child.”
“Through our partnership with Molina, we’re making healthy eating more accessible, affordable and convenient for expectant moms facing food insecurity,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of Health at Instacart.
Molina’s Instacart program is part of the grocery technology company’s Instacart Health initiative, designed to improve nutrition security, make healthy choices easier and scale food as medicine programs to support public health. Instacart has tools to help members manage pre- and post-natal health through nutrition access and education.
