Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Company, has announced a partnership with Performance Kitchen® to provide medically tailored meals (MTM) for individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. This marks the first time Kroger Health is offering evidence-based, dietitian-approved meals that address specific health needs and offer potential improvements in overall health. The MTM program aims to support individuals in their health journeys and provide personalized approaches to transform health outcomes.
Researchers at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy conducted an evidence review and national simulation that estimated the MTM program could prevent 1.6 million hospitalizations and save $13.6 billion in healthcare costs within a year. Over a 10-year period, the medical cost savings for participants in the MTM program are estimated at $185.1 billion. Kroger Health and Performance Kitchen® are strategically focused on incorporating food as medicine into daily lives and providing culturally relevant options that meet nutritional standards.
The MTM options include meals like Chicken Dijon with Kale, Moroccan Chicken with Quinoa, Vegetable Chickpea Curry, and Salmon Pasta. Kroger Health will combine the MTM program with their existing services, such as virtual appointments with registered dietitians and access to healthy groceries, to offer a holistic approach to improve nutritional safety and patient outcomes. Performance Kitchen® meals are designed by a team of chefs, physicians, and registered dietitians using high-quality ingredients to optimize nutrition while limiting sodium and added sugars.
The meals are frozen and come in single servings, making them convenient for those who are concerned about the time it takes to prepare healthy meals. All Performance Kitchen® meals created for this collaboration are approved by Kroger Health registered dietitians. The focus is on making small, gradual changes that lead to meaningful health outcomes. Taylor Newman, RDN, Director of Nutrition at Kroger Health, emphasized that MTM helps ensure individuals have access to foods that help them feel their best and improve their health, while also offering diverse recipes and flavors.
Mark Walker, Chairman and CEO of Kroger Health, expressed excitement about working with Kroger Health to empower individuals to live healthier lives through food. He commended organizations like Kroger Health for offering new meal benefits to millions of Americans, signaling a shift towards preventive care through nutritious food. The collaboration with Performance Kitchen® is the latest effort in Kroger Health’s Food as Medicine platform and follows the release of SuperWIN, a retail-based randomized controlled trial, and their participation in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
Payers, healthcare providers, employers, and community organizations interested in learning more about the Kroger Health and Performance Kitchen’s Medically Tailored Meal Collaboration can contact [email protected].
Kroger Health is the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., operating pharmacies and clinics across 35 states. Their team of healthcare professionals aims to prevent disease and help people live healthier lives by incorporating food as medicine. Performance Kitchen® provides healthy, medically tailored meals for chronic disease management, focusing on taste, convenience, and nutrition. Their mission is to help people live fulfilling lives through food.