Montgomery County has partnered with Instacart to launch a new program called MC Groceries aimed at addressing food insecurity and childhood hunger. The initiative provides nearly 600 local families, with over 1,000 children, a monthly stipend to shop for groceries online. Families receive $100 per child, up to $400 per household, for a year through Instacart Health Fresh Funds. The program allows families to purchase a variety of food and beverages from local retailers on Instacart, promoting healthy choices through a custom Virtual Storefront.
Casey Aden-Wansbury, Instacart’s vice president of Policy & Government Affairs, emphasized the company’s commitment to solving food access issues. The program has already seen significant use, with participants placing over 700 grocery orders in less than a month, providing over 12,000 nutritious items to families in need. MC Groceries targets families in the “SNAP Gap” who earn too much to qualify for federal nutrition benefits but still struggle to afford basic necessities like food.
The program is part of Montgomery County’s efforts to end childhood hunger, with the support of local government agencies and over 20 participating grocers. It aims to benefit underserved areas like Wheaton, Aspen Hill, and Glenmont, where residents face challenges related to work schedules, transportation, and access to fresh, nutritious food. County Executive Marc Elrich praised the partnership with Instacart as a model for addressing food access challenges through innovation and technology, showcasing the County’s leadership in the initiative.
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