Albertsons expands affordable access to fresh food and wellness products

Beginning Wednesday, Albertsons customers can use supplemental benefits to purchase over-the-counter medications and fresh produce in the company’s more than 2,200 stores.

The new program provides convenient access to customers using prepaid cards funded by Medicare Advantage plans, employer incentives, healthcare providers or local governments, furthering the company’s commitment to support the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

“We are committed to offering solutions that deliver access to healthy produce and meals, reduce food insecurity and provide solutions for chronic condition management,” said Omer Gajial, EVP of pharmacy and health at Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. “Using supplemental benefits enables shoppers to conveniently shop for fresh food and over-the-counter medications contributing to their overall health and well-being.”

Albertsons 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 and over-the-counter products in Albertsons stores. Customers can use their prepaid cards in stores to easily shop for eligible items and make healthier choices.

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

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Albertsons Cos. also accepts Fresh Bucks, a local government supplemental program supported by S3 that launched in Seattle to help consumers afford fruits and vegetables. The company is working to expand programs like Fresh Bucks to more stores.

Albertsons, the nation’s second-largest supermarket chain, operates stores across 34 states and Washington, D.C., under banners such as 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.

SNAP Produce Match

Last month, Albertsons’ Safeway stores in Washington state launched the new SNAP Produce Match program in which shoppers who buy $10 of qualifying fruits and vegetables will also receive a coupon of $10 for produce, double the $5 incentive the state originally provided. Other new services include easier payment for SNAP customers by using their EBT cards for online ordering from Safeway, options for home delivery and free DriveUp & Go services for easier grocery shopping. In addition, SNAP users can also now access online accounts to see their benefits, consider eligible products while they shop, and see exactly where their dollars are being spent.

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“Food insecurity is a problem this nation can and should solve,” said Sara Osborne, Safeway’s director of external affairs. “Food banks can’t do it alone, and we think grocery stores are the cornerstone to solving this issue. One of the ways the grocery industry can help solve this problem is to make using SNAP more convenient, with tools to help them stretch their food budget. Our new services ensure Safeway SNAP customers have access to the same dignified shopping experience as everyone, whether that be on our eCommerce platforms or when shopping our stores.”