9/20/2023
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), has partnered with Performance Kitchen® to introduce medically tailored meals (MTMs). This collaboration represents a significant leap for Kroger Health into offering evidence-based, registered dietitian approved meals catered to individuals managing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These MTMs are a pivotal step in enhancing overall health, nutrition intervention, and access to nutritious foods.
James Kirby, Chief Commercial Officer of Kroger Health, emphasizes their commitment to empowering individuals to make healthier choices, underscoring the importance of personalized approaches for improved quality of life, disease prevention, and transformation.
A recent study by Tufts Universi- ty's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy highlights the potential impact of MTM programs, projecting the prevention of 1.6 million hospitalizations and $13.6 billion in healthcare savings within a year. Over a decade, cost savings for MTM pro- gram participants receiving 10 MTMs per week for eight months could reach $185.1 billion.
Performance Kitchen® and Kroger Health share a vision of integrating Food as Medicine into daily life. This synergy has led to the development of meals meeting nutritional standards and diverse population needs. MTMs, co-created by Performance Kitchen® and Kroger Health, offer options like Health complements these meals with vir- tual consultations with registered dietitians and access to healthful groceries.
Performance Kitchen's team of experts, including chefs, doctors, and registered dietitians, focuses on balanced meals with quality proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and fiber while limiting sodium and added sugar. These frozen, single-serve meals are convenient for those concerned about meal preparation. All Performance Kitchen® offerings for this collaboration receive approval from Kroger Health registered dietitians.
Dr. Taylor Newman, Director of Nutrition at Kroger Health, highlights MTMs as a means to encourage gradual, impactful changes. These personalized meals address specific health conditions while offering diverse recipes and flavors.Chicken Dijon with Kale, Moroccan Style Chicken with Quinoa, Vegetable Chickpea Curry, and Salmon Pasta. Kroger Mark Walker, Chairman and CEO of Performance Kitchen®, shares excite- ment about their collaboration with Kroger Health, both committed to empowering the nation through nutrition. In a country spending $4.3 trillion on healthcare annual- ly, initiatives like this are pioneering a new era of preventative care through nutrition.
This collaboration is part of Kroger Health's Food as Medicine platform, follow- ing the SuperWIN trial and participation in the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
Payers, providers, employers, and community organizations interested in this partnership can contact khb2b@kroger-health.com to explore its transformative potential.