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Lyft expands Grocery Access Program

Transportation network offers discounted rides to grocery stores

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

April 25, 2019

2 Min Read
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As part of its initiative to remove transportation barriers to healthy food, Lyft is expanding its Grocery Access Program, which provides thousands of affordable rides to grocery stores for families in underserved areas.

The transportation network launched the program with a successful pilot in Washington, D.C., last December and has since expanded to Atlanta. Realizing the positive impact the program can have in just one community, and how pervasive of an issue this is — affecting approximately 23.5 million people in the United States, according to USDA data — Lyft now plans to launch the program in more than a dozen cities across the country, and will soon roll out to more markets throughout North America.

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According to Lyft, the program will now spread to a total of 15 markets: Atlantic City, N.J.; Baltimore; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Richmond, Va.; and Ottawa and Toronto in Canada.

In a Lyft blog post today, the company said, “Through this expansion, we look forward to partnering with local organizations and nonprofits to provide low-income families and seniors living in food deserts with deeply discounted flat-fare rides to get to and from grocery stores. Affordable and reliable access to transportation can have a huge impact on this problem, and we want to help.”

In Washington, D.C., Lyft partnered with community organization Martha’s Table to serve more than 150,000 residents in two wards that have only three grocery stores between them — one Giant Food and two Safeways. Beginning this past January, the Grocery Access Program provided local families with $2.50 Lyft Shared rides to all three grocery stores and The Market at Martha’s Table. Families with children enrolled at seven participating elementary schools could also receive 50 $2.50 flat-fare rides for traveling to and/or from the Giant or Safeway stores and the lobby market at Martha’s Table.

“The Lyft Grocery Access Program is an innovative partnership that aligns with our mission to support strong children, strong families and strong communities,” said Tiffany Williams, chief programs officer at Martha's Table. “By offering discounted flat-rate rides to three full-service grocery stores and to Martha’s Table Market, the program has helped to reduce the time, transportation and financial barriers to healthy food access.”

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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