Kaiser Permanente and Instacart Collaborate to Study Impact of Nutritious Food Access on Health Outcomes

Kaiser Permanente, the largest integrated nonprofit healthcare provider in the United States, has partnered with Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, to conduct a study on the effects of convenient access to nutritious food on health outcomes. The study will focus on Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Southern California Medi-Cal members who have diet-related diseases such as diabetes and chronic heart failure.

This collaboration is part of Kaiser Permanente’s comprehensive approach to improving the health of its members by addressing social health needs, including access to nutritious food. Lack of proper nutrition is a significant contributor to poor health outcomes in the U.S., particularly among low-income and marginalized communities.

As part of the study, Kaiser Permanente will provide participants with Instacart Health Fresh Funds, which are grocery stipends that can be used to purchase nutritious foods and pantry staples. Participants will have these items delivered to their homes through Instacart’s platform. This initiative is an addition to Kaiser Permanente’s Food Is Medicine portfolio, which aims to build evidence for food-based interventions to prevent and treat diet-related diseases.

The study will measure various health indicators, including blood sugar levels, food and nutrition security, quality of life related to diet-related diseases, patient readiness to change, and hospitalization or emergency department visits. The results will provide valuable evidence on the impact of food as medicine on health and the healthcare industry.

Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to addressing food and nutrition insecurity was demonstrated in its $50 million Food Is Medicine commitment announced in 2022. The company aims to strengthen food and nutrition security programs while building evidence for the role of food in preventing and treating certain health conditions.

Instacart, with its extensive reach and partnerships with retail banners, is dedicated to addressing nutrition insecurity. Through its platform, the company aims to increase nutrition security, enable nutritious choices, and scale food as medicine programs across the country.

This collaboration between Kaiser Permanente and Instacart highlights the importance of access to nutritious food in improving overall health and well-being. By studying the impact of convenient access to nutritious food on health outcomes, this research will contribute to understanding innovative and scalable ways to improve the health of vulnerable populations.

Both organizations are committed to building healthier communities and addressing food and nutrition inequities. This collaboration exemplifies their dedication to leveraging technology and partnerships to make a positive impact on the health of individuals and communities.

For more information, please contact Hilary Costa at hilary.c.costa@kp.org.

About Kaiser Permanente:
Kaiser Permanente is a leading nonprofit healthcare provider and health plan in the United States. With a mission to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare services, Kaiser Permanente serves 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. The organization’s care is focused on total health and guided by personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and caregivers.

About Instacart:
Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, facilitating online shopping, delivery, and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores through its platform. The company partners with national, regional, and local retail banners to provide convenient access to groceries and other essential items.