Albertsons Expands Affordable Access to Fresh Food, Medications

Albertsons customers can now use supplemental benefits to buy over-the-counter medications and fresh produce in its stores, the Boise, Idaho-based grocer said in a March 30 statement.

As part of its commitment to creating access to food and promoting wellness, Albertsons said the new program supports customers using prepaid cards funded by Medicare Advantage plans, employer incentives, healthcare providers or local governments.

“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, EVP of pharmacy and health for Albertsons Cos., said in a release.

The grocer noted that it is through partnerships with technology payments platforms such as Solutran’s S3 that make it possible for the grocer to make it convenient for eligible cardholders to use their health plan funds for fresh produce and over-the-counter products in store. 

“Albertsons Cos. stores are a very popular shopping destination for millions of Medicare Advantage members using the Solutran S3 benefits platform,” said Mike Rahman, president of Solutran. “This year, the platform will issue approximately $5 billion in food and over-the-counter benefits.”

Albertsons also announced that it accepts Fresh Bucks, a local government supplemental program supported by S3 that launched in Seattle to help shoppers afford fruits and vegetables. The grocer said it is working to expand Fresh Bucks, as well as similar programs, to more stores.