Latest news with #SarahMastrorocco
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Instacart announces AI tool Smart Shop to help consumers shop healthier, according to dietary needs
Instacart (CART) is increasing its reliance on artificial intelligence to help customers shop more easily according to their dietary needs or to help offer healthy options. The company announced a new feature, Smart Shop, that helps customers filter their shopping experience based on health needs. That includes settings for 14 dietary preferences, including gluten-free, high protein, low carb, organic, and preservative-free settings. There are also 30 health tags on items including gluten-free, grass-fed, heart-healthy, high fiber, high protein, keto, lactose-free, minimally processed, pasture-raised, preservative-free, no artificial colors, no artificial flavors, non-GMO, vegetarian, vegan, and wild-caught. "At Instacart, we want to turn the ordinary task of grocery shopping into a delightful, personalized shopping experience that takes the mental load out of finding the exact items that meet your preferences,' Daniel Danker, Instacart chief product officer, said in a statement. "By customizing your shopping journey to match your personal health goals or fit your dietary restrictions, we can unlock possibilities that weren't even on the table before." The timing coincides with the increased use of weight-loss drugs and customers being more conscientious about their diets. Grocery stores have seen a decrease in purchases by GLP-1 users — as much as 6%, according to one recent study. Instacart has also partnered with the American Diabetes Association to turn "nutrition advice into easy, shoppable solutions through our Inspiration Pages. Whether you're managing a chronic condition like diabetes or simply looking to make more informed food choices, we're here to help make grocery shopping simpler and more personalized," according to Sarah Mastrorocco, vice president and general manager of Instacart Health. The reliance on AI in online grocery shopping is not new but continues to grow as a trend. Two years ago, Kroger (KR) launched a healthy cart option, with a grading system on customer carts to help them make healthier choices. Meanwhile, other companies have launched smart carts for in-store shopping to help customers shop smart and healthier. Anjalee Khemlani is the senior health reporter at Yahoo Finance, covering all things pharma, insurance, care services, digital health, PBMs, and health policy and politics. That includes GLP-1s, of course. Follow Anjalee on social media platforms X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky @AnjKhem. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest health industry news and events impacting stock prices
Associated Press
04-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Food Health Collective Partners with Instacart to Revolutionize Food Is Medicine Programs
/ -- Food Health Collective (FHC), a leader in the Food Is Medicine movement, is proud to announce a new partnership with Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America. This innovative collaboration empowers participants across the country to access a Registered Dietitian-curated grocery shopping experience designed to improve health outcomes and promote autonomy, choice, and dignity. Through this partnership, FHC participants working with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) will receive a monthly grocery stipend through Instacart Health Fresh Funds to spend at grocers available on Instacart over three months. The stipend can be used on approved, nutrient-dense food items that support chronic condition management and overall wellness, including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, yogurt, nuts, seeds and nut butters, and dry beans. Participants can seamlessly shop for these items within the Instacart app, allowing them to select their preferred local retailer and shop for foods that align with their preferences and needs while adhering to their personalized health plans. The program supports individuals facing significant nutrition-related challenges. Among participants receiving this service: • 89% face food insecurity • 20% suffer from malnutrition • 55% have 2+ chronic conditions that can be improved with diet • 20% have English as a second language • 32% reside in historically underserved neighborhoods • 29% were under the age of 40, 46% between 40-59, and 25% were 60 or older Among health plan members who were eligible but unresponsive to outreach efforts, the addition of Fresh Funds boosted program participation and engagement by 20%. 'Partnering with Instacart enables Food Health Collective to take another transformative step in advancing Food Is Medicine programs,' said Maya Rams Murthy, MPH, RDN, CEO of Food Health Collective. 'This collaboration allows us to provide participants with greater access to nutritious foods while maintaining the dignity and autonomy that are central to our mission. Together, we're equipping individuals with the tools they need to reduce chronic conditions and achieve lasting health improvements.' 'Access to nutritious food and expert dietary guidance is key to building healthier communities. Our technology, selection and nationwide reach enable organizations like Food Health Collective to integrate accessible nutritious food into healthcare,' said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President and General Manager of Health at Instacart. 'Our tools empower individuals to act on FHC's Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' advice, making it simple to have medically tailored groceries from trusted local retailers delivered directly to their doors.' The Fresh Funds program also integrates directly with Food Health Collective's app (Food Health Rx) where participants can access recipes and culinary educational tools curated by their RDNs. These resources empower participants to make informed dietary choices, enhance their cooking skills, and sustain healthy eating habits long-term. The program is currently available to members of select health insurance plans partnering with FHC, with plans for future expansion. By combining Food Health Collective's evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy with Instacart's intuitive online grocery shopping and facilitated delivery, this partnership sets a new standard for leveraging food as a cornerstone of healthcare. About Food Health Collective Founded in 2021 by Krista Yoder, MPH, RDN, PMP, PBA, FAND and Maya Rams Murthy, RD, MPH, Food Health Collective is the leader in the Food Is Medicine movement, providing comprehensive nutrition solutions that integrate Medical Nutrition Therapy, culturally relevant food delivery, and a personalized digital platform. The Founders saw a gap in the healthcare system through many years of experience and noticed healthcare wasn't utilizing the most cost-effective solution to improve health: nutritious food. They also noticed that many approaches failed to involve Registered Dietitians, the true experts in food and nutritional health. With a focus on improving the lives of individuals managing chronic conditions, FHC partners with health plans to provide cost-effective, nutrition-focused interventions that improve outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and promote long-term wellness. For more information, visit About Instacart Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit and to start shopping, visit Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart. Maya Rams Murthy Legal Disclaimer:
