BOISE, Idaho—Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced a new partnership with WinnCompanies – a leader in affordable, mixed-income and market-rate housing – to bring essential services directly to more than 133,000 residents across 520 properties nationally.
The collaboration will provide grocery, prescription and vaccination resources to seniors and families, reducing accessibility barriers and further fostering the company’s commitment to support the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
“We recognize that many people in our communities face challenges that prevent them from shopping in our stores,” said Omer Gajial, Chief Digital Officer and EVP of Health at Albertsons Cos. “As a neighborhood grocer, we’re privileged to partner with WinnCompanies to make nutrition, wellness and pharmacy services more accessible and convenient for WinnCompanies’ residents.”
This long-term partnership is a first in providing WinnCompanies’ residents with a means for fulfilling grocery, prescription and vaccination needs through a single provider, and driving impact through WinnCompanies Connected Communities initiative that focuses on collaborative strategies for measurable and positive outcomes.
The services being provided on an ongoing basis will include prescription drop-off and mail delivery, grocery delivery and on-site immunizations by Albertsons Cos.’ pharmacy associates. Residents will be able to receive the recommended vaccinations they need to stay up to date including the COVID-19 bivalent vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, flu vaccines and other key immunizations such as shingles, pneumonia, tetanus and hepatitis A and B.
In addition to the on-site clinics, residents also have access to care at Albertsons Cos. pharmacies, including those at Safeway, Albertsons, Shaw’s, Star Market and Jewel-Osco stores across the country. Most pharmacies offer convenient evening and weekend hours and are staffed to accommodate short wait times and “walk-in” appointments. Pharmacists are also available to discuss clinical-related questions to assist customers in making informed healthcare decisions.
To make the digital shopping experience more equitable, EBT SNAP benefits were recently integrated into Albertsons Cos.’ websites and apps for same-day grocery delivery and curbside pickup orders, ensuring that families and individuals who rely on these benefits have greater access to nutritious food.
“This collaboration with Albertson Cos. reinforces our commitment to have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of the residents at our apartment communities,” said Trevor Samios, Senior Vice President of Connected Communities at WinnCompanies. “We’re grateful to find a partner who shares this mission and is willing to join us in committing important resources to the health and safety of thousands of individuals and families across the country.”
Both Albertsons Cos. and WinnCompanies have a long history of forming partnerships with the aim of solving longstanding food and healthcare inequalities, prompting a pilot partnership program in Massachusetts in late 2021. Based on initial success, the program has now expanded to all WinnCompanies communities where Albertsons Cos. serves including those in California, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
