Lyft’s Grocery Access Program Expands In US, Canada

Lyft announced that its Grocery Access Program is expanding into other cities in both the United States and Canada.

Research has shown that there is a significant barrier to healthy food access for millions of people in the U.S., affecting approximately 23.5 million people. To help combat this issue, Lyft launched a pilot of the Grocery Access Program in Washington, D.C. in December, partnering with nonprofit Martha’s Table to provide discounted rides for families, living in two of the city’s neighborhoods, to and from the supermarket.

According to the Lyft blog at the time, the company and nonprofit seek to “reduce the time, transportation barriers and financial burden as hundreds of families plan their shopping trips to select grocery providers, and further Lyft’s mission of improving people’s lives with the world’s best transportation.”

The pilot proved successful, serving hundreds of low-income families, and providing thousands of rides to and from a Giant, two Safeway locations and the Martha’s Table lobby market.

After a recent expansion to Atlanta, Lyft revealed that the Grocery Access Program will also now be available in Atlantic City, Baltimore, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland and Richmond. The program will also cross the border into Canada, with availability in Ottawa and Toronto. More locations are to come.

“By teaming up with local organizations and nonprofits, we’re focused on minimizing the impact of food deserts through better access to transportation,” the company wrote in an emailed statement.

The program is part of Lyft’s City Works initiative, with the rideshare company pledging a minimum of $50 million a year (or 1 percent of profits, whichever is greater) to continue improving city life through transportation initiatives. Through City Works, “Lyft provides free and reduced-price rides to people who need them most, such as medical patients, low-income seniors, veterans in transition and victims of natural disasters,” according to its website.