Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies: Instacart’s New Partnership with Northwell Health

Since we launched Instacart Health, we’ve been on a mission to ensure that every person has access to nutritious food to support their health. Today, we’re proud to share a step forward through a new partnership with Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system. Using Instacart Health technology, Northwell has launched an innovative program that gives moms-to-be expanded access to nutritious food and helps inspire sustainable healthy choices.

Northwell Health has integrated Instacart Health tools into its Center for Maternal Health Maternal Outcomes and Morbidity Collaborative (MOMS). The initiative provides moms-to-be experiencing food insecurity with better access to fresh and nutritious food. Northwell is leveraging Instacart Health Fresh Funds and a Northwell Health Virtual Storefront on Instacart – Northwell’s Healthy Choices Storefront – to deliver the nutritional support and guidance moms and their babies need during this crucial time. By leveraging Instacart’s extensive network of partner retailers and convenient same-day delivery capabilities, Northwell is helping make it easier for expectant mothers to access the healthy foods they need from the comfort of home.

The health risks moms and babies face in the U.S. are astounding. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 700 women die each year in the U.S. from complications related to pregnancy or delivery.¹ Maternal and infant mortality rates are significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other developed countries.² Addressing these alarming statistics requires a multifaceted approach, including improved access to healthcare, education, and nutritious food.

Access to nutritious food can have a profound effect on maternal and infant health. A balanced diet supports the mother’s health, promotes proper fetal development, and can reduce the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth.³ Studies have shown that women who maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to healthier babies and experience fewer pregnancy-related complications.⁴ 

At Instacart, we believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food and the opportunity to lead a healthy life. Our partnership with Northwell Health speaks to the power of collaboration in tackling complex health challenges and social barriers to health. In the coming months, we’ll also launch additional programs with Northwell, supporting both youth nutrition education as well as employee well-being. We’re committed to continuing this vital work, working with leading health care organizations to further advance the health of our communities. 

To learn more about our partnership with Northwell Health, you can read the full press release here. 

1. Petersen, E. E., Davis, N. L., Goodman, D., et al. (2019). Vital Signs: Pregnancy-Related Deaths, United States, 2011–2015, and Strategies for Prevention, 13 States, 2013–2017. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68, 423-429. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6818e1. 
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2. Gunja, Munira Z., et al. “U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective, 2022: Accelerating Spending, Worsening Outcomes.” The Commonwealth Fund, 31 Jan. 2023, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/jan/us-health-care-global-perspective-2022. 
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3. “Healthy Diet Before and During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Risk of Complications, NIH Study Suggests.” National Institutes of Health, 2 June 2021, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/healthy-diet-before-during-pregnancy-linked-lower-risk-complications-nih-study-suggests.
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4. Anderson-Villaluz, Dennis, and Julia Quam. “Nutrition During Pregnancy to Support a Healthy Mom and Baby.” Health.gov, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 16 Feb. 2022, https://health.gov/news/202202/nutrition-during-pregnancy-support-healthy-mom-and-baby. 
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Sarah Mastrorocco

Author

Sarah Mastrorocco is Vice President and General Manager of Health for Instacart. A longtime Instacart veteran and leader, Sarah today oversees Instacart Health, designed to support businesses, nonprofits and consumers across three key areas: Nutrition Security, Making Healthier Choices Easier, and Food as Medicine. Sarah has played an integral role at Instacart since joining as the first member of the company’s business development team in 2014. During her tenure at Instacart, she’s taken on various leadership positions across Business Development, Account Management, and Catalog. Prior to this current role, Sarah oversaw and scaled Instacart’s Pickup business.