Instacart partnership seeks to improve food access for expectant mothers

Molina Healthcare of Michigan says it has partnered with Instacart to address food insecurity for expectant mothers.

A joint program will allow expectant moms identified as facing food insecurity to 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, according to a news release. Molina said the partnership is a part of its multifaceted effort to improve equity for underserved populations throughout Michigan.

According to the release, 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, the release said.

“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 for Instacart. “Instacart provides families with access to same-day delivery of fresh groceries from trusted local retailers and offers tools that make expert nutrition guidance from health leaders like Molina easy to follow and shop from. We’re proud to support this initiative, using technology to help moms adopt healthier habits that benefit both their own well-being and the health and development of their babies."

In addition to the Instacart+ membership, the company said selected members will also receive monthly $100 Instacart Health Fresh Funds stipends for the first nine months of the program to use for nutritious foods from retailers on Instacart. Members can combine their Fresh Funds, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and personal funds at checkout when purchasing their groceries online.

Molina said its 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 prenatal and postnatal health through nutrition access and education, the release said.