More nutritious food access for Massachusetts residents – The Martha’s Vineyard Times

Updated on February 1

One in eight adults and one in five children are food insecure in Massachusetts, according to the Greater Boston Food Bank. This problem was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of this public health concern, Stop & Shop and the Boston-based nonprofit About Fresh announced their new partnership to increase “access to fresh, healthy food for people in need throughout New England,” according to a press release. Access is available through About Fresh’s “Fresh Connect” program, which allows participants to use prepaid Visa debit cards “prescribed” by health care providers to purchase healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. After a successful pilot at the Grove Hall location, the program is now available at more than 100 Stop & Shop locations in Eastern Massachusetts, with plans to expand to all locations in early spring.

According to a Stop & Shop spokesperson, both Martha’s Vineyard stores are participating in the program.

According to the press release, prepaid debit cards are funded by healthcare organizations and are HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant platforms. When food insecure participants use these cards at checkout, the cost of the items will automatically be deducted from the total purchase price. The cards are “prescribed” by health care providers. Providers “collect baseline health indicators” and set monthly card disbursements for participants.

90 West LLC Vice President Harry Shipps, who is working with the About Fresh team, told the Times that the program’s “enrollment partners” independently decide what health and “basic indicators” qualify a patient to receive a card.

“The specific criteria each partner uses to enroll patients in Fresh Connect varies, but eligibility generally involves a positive test for food insecurity and having one or more diet-related illnesses,” Shipps said, listing diabetes and illnesses. cardiac as examples.

Although health care providers on the island are not yet part of the Fresh Connect program, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital communications specialist Marissa Lefebvre told the Times that the hospital is working with Fresh Connect to implement the program locally. Mass General Brigham, which is the parent company of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, is already a participant in the program. Island Health Care COO Lucy Hackney told the Times the care provider is learning more about Fresh Connect and is “excited to support efforts to make the program available on the island.”

For more information about the About Fresh Fresh Connect program, visit aboutfresh.org/fresh-connect.

Updated with information from MVH. -Editor