Wisc. Provider, Grocer Reward Healthy Shopping

By Barry Adams

April 12--A Madison grocer and healthcare provider are teaming up to offer cash bonuses to those who shop for healthy items.

UnityPoint Health–Meriter is partnering with the Hy-Vee on Whiteny Way in a program where dieticians from the grocery store will randomly give out $5 gift cards to shoppers whose carts contain nutritious items. Shoppers can be chosen on any day at any time and there is no requirement that items be organic, fresh or frozen.

"Changing your diet can seem intimidating, but it's not an all-or-nothing approach," said Andrea Erickson, a Hy-Vee dietician. "We encourage people to think 80-20 when they're shopping, with 80 percent of your cart filled with nutritious or nutrient-dense items."

The program is part of Meriter's Healthy Madison campaign to encourage "random acts of wellness," in which people perform an unexpected act to improve the health and well being of another person.

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