Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. is allowing shoppers to use their supplemental benefits to buy fresh produce, as well as over-the-counter medications, in the company’s stores.
The new program provides convenient access to customers using prepaid cards funded by Medicare Advantage plans, employer incentives, health care providers or local governments, according to a news release.
“We are committed to offering solutions that deliver access to healthy produce and meals, reduce food insecurity and provide solutions for chronic condition management,” Omer Gajial, executive vice president of pharmacy and health, said in the release.
The food and drug retailer operates stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia with more than 20 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market.
The company has partnered with technology payments platforms such as Solutran’s S3 to make it convenient for eligible cardholders to use their health-plan funds to shop for hundreds of fresh produce items and over-the-counter products. Shoppers can use their prepaid cards in stores.
“Albertsons Cos. stores are a very popular shopping destination for millions of Medicare Advantage members using the Solutran S3 benefits platform,” Solutran President Mike Rahman said in the release.
In 2022, the platform will issue about $5 billion in food and over-the-counter benefits, he said.
Albertsons Cos. also accepts Fresh Bucks, a local government supplemental program supported by S3, which launched in Seattle to help consumers afford fruits and vegetables. The company is working to expand programs such as Fresh Bucks to more stores.
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