Piggly Wiggly Midwest has begun accepting the Healthy Savings program, which gives customers discounts on better-for-you foods.
The Sheboygan, Wis.-based grocer said shoppers can now redeem savings under the program, a service of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) and payment processor Solutran Inc., at any of its 100 Piggly Wiggly stores in Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Consumers who enroll in Healthy Savings at MyHealthySavings.com can save more than $50 each week on healthier foods without having to clip, print or download coupons.
“Customers were asking our stores if we accepted Healthy Savings, and we felt we had to be a part of this program to meet shoppers’ needs and help them eat healthier,” according to Gary Suokko, chief operating officer at Piggly Wiggly Midwest, which also supplies 14 Butera Market stores in the Chicagoland area.
Powered by Minneapolis-based Solutran’s S3 platform, Healthy Savings is sponsored by health plans, nonprofits, government entities and private employers as a way to promote personal well-being by getting employees to eat smarter — namely more fresh fruit and vegetables.
Customers receive a Healthy Savings card and then register it and download the Healthy Savings mobile app. The program starts with 25% off fresh produce and adds similar discounts on lean meat, whole-grain bread, milk, eggs and other healthy food. More than 200 brands provide savings on prequalified products promoted on the program, whose members purchase 70% more fresh produce than non-members.
Solutran has said it aims to expand the Healthy Savings retail network to more than 22,000 store locations in 2019. Hy-Vee and Albertsons Cos.’ Acme Markets are among the grocery retailers joining the Healthy Savings this year. Other participating supermarket operators include Cub Foods, Coborn’s, Pick n’ Save, Cash Wise Foods, Copps, Giant Food, Western Beef and Kroger.
“Piggly Wiggly cares about their communities and will enjoy serving a broader customer base,” stated Chad Kelly, chief marketing officer of Solutran. “The Healthy Savings program brings more shoppers to the stores that accept the card.”
