Food as Medicine

Origins:

The Food as Medicine program is a cross-functional, community-focused program that operates through strategic partnerships between Giant Food and healthcare or community-based organizations. These organizations identify individuals facing food insecurity or managing chronic disease, then secure grant funding to support access to healthy food as part of a broader wellness initiative. Giant teams including Loyalty, Marketing and Pharmacy, collaborated to implement the program, using Giant’s existing loyalty platform and Guiding Stars nutrition rating system to curate eligible food items and ensure that participants receive nutrient-rich options that support disease prevention and management. Participants use their Giant loyalty card to activate program benefits. When they shop in-store, eligible foods are automatically covered at checkout using grant funds which provide a seamless shopping experience. By combining community health needs with Giant’s retail capabilities, the program directly addresses food insecurity and chronic disease.

Contribution:

Giant’s contribution to the Food as Medicine program is grounded in data-driven decision-making and long-standing community partnerships. Insights from the Capital Area Food Bank’s Hunger Report, combined with our shared commitment to equity, guide where and how we prioritize access to nutritious food. Rather than focusing solely on donations, we develop solutions with our partners that support long-term health outcomes. Giant’s Healthy Living Team collaborates with local partners to drive participation and deliver culturally relevant nutritional education. Internally, we monitor redemption rates and track usage to evaluate program effectiveness. These insights inform ongoing strategy and ensure the program continues to meet community needs.

Objectives:

As the largest grocer in the Mid-Atlantic, Giant Food is uniquely positioned to address food insecurity and chronic illness through our stores, community partnerships, and commitment to Being a Better Neighbor. The objective of the Food as Medicine program is to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations by increasing access to nutritious foods and empowering people to make healthier choices. Through collaboration with healthcare providers and community organizations, the program aims to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease and alleviate food insecurity in a sustainable, community-centered way. Food as Medicine reflects Giant’s broader mission: to deliver quality, accessible food while supporting holistic well-being. By aligning our operational strengths with health-focused partnerships, we are advancing a future where nutritious food is both accessible and recognized as a key component of healthcare.

Impact:

Between 2020 and 2024, the Food as Medicine program has delivered measurable impact by improving access to nutritious foods and supporting the prevention and management of chronic disease. Since 2021, community members have purchased more than 475,000 units of healthy food totaling $1.5 million in in-store spending through grant funding. This reflects both the program’s scale and its effectiveness in turning funding into real, health-supportive outcomes. Feedback from partners highlights the program’s success in reducing stigma by offering a dignified, familiar shopping experience. Participants report feeling more confident in making healthy choices, thanks in part to the curated product list informed by the Guiding Stars nutrition rating system. A key lesson has been the importance of simplifying administrative processes and building trust through ongoing community engagement and transparency. These insights are shaping future plans to expand the program’s reach and strengthen its long-term sustainability.

Quote:

As a grocery retailer with roots in the local community, we have a responsibility to care for the customers who enter our stores and live throughout our region. The Food as Medicine program demonstrates Giant’s commitment to ensuring everyone, regardless of background, has access to nutritious food and the tools needed to live a healthier lifestyle. We’re proud to be able to offer programs that support holistic well-being of the community through partnerships with local health-focused organizations. We look forward to growing the program and reaching an even greater number of people, effectively tackling food insecurity as well as chronic illness.

- Ira Kress, President at Giant Food

Support Statement:

Giant’s Food as Medicine program has been very helpful. Now my family eats healthier too, even my kids are making healthier choices and taking care of our health. I learned to look for discounts at Giant and I am more organized, more selective of what I buy.

- Program participant