Ahold USA Addresses Use of WIC/SNAP

MICHAEL GARRY

ARLINGTON, Va. — Ahold USA is looking at the food-buying patterns of shoppers using WIC and SNAP government benefits at a three-year-old Giant Food store opened in an underserved “food desert” community in Washington, D.C., said Harriet Hentges, vice president, corporate responsibility and sustainability, Ahold USA.

“We’re trying to identify the use of WIC and SNAP and the barriers to the use of it,” said Hentges during a panel discussion on linking health and wellness with sustainability held Tuesday at the Sustainability Summit here. That includes studying “what to do to get food stamp individuals to buy [fruits and vegetables].”

Ahold USA has established a cross-functional group to help improve fresh food access and nutrition in underserved areas, she said.