Roundy’s Joins Discount Program Tied to Consumers’ Insurance Plans

By Jenny McTaggart 

Members of UnitedHealthcare who live in Wisconsin are now being offered the chance to save on healthy foods at their local Roundy’s, via a new initiative called "Healthy Savings."

The program, developed by UnitedHealthcare and powered by EBT firm Solutran, was first piloted in Minnesota at Cub Foods, Lunds/Byerly’s and Rainbow Foods. Independent, employee-owned grocer Woodman’s Markets, based in Janesville, Wis., is scheduled to join the program later this year, according to a Healthy Savings spokeswoman.

Jim Hyland, VP of public affairs at Milwaukee-based Roundy's Inc., told Progressive Grocer that Healthy Savings was a natural fit for the retailer. “When Solutran approached us with their Healthy Savings program, we viewed it as an additional opportunity to promote health and wellness in our stores,” he said, noting that Roundy’s already offers a tool called Health Key to help its customers easily identify healthy foods in its stores.

The program will also potentially attract new customers to Roundy’s stores, Hyland said.

Healthy Savings is eligible to Wisconsin residents who are enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare fully-insured, employer-sponsored health plan. The program, which is offered at no cost, provides potential savings of more than $150 per month on prequalified healthy foods from more than 140 food producers, manufacturers and distributors, according to Healthy Savings.

Eligible UnitedHealthcare plan participants are now receiving Healthy Savings discount cards in the mail. After their cards are activated, participants will be able to shop for the promoted healthy foods and scan their cards during checkout at 119 Roundy’s Supermarkets locations in Wisconsin, including four Metro Market, 25 Copps and 90 Pick ’n Save stores statewide.

With the Healthy Savings program, there is no clipping, printing or downloading of coupons, as discounts are preloaded on the program card each week. Shoppers can view the discounted grocery items by visiting the weekly selection at www.uhcwihealthysavings.com. The weekly discounted items will be updated every Sunday.

The Healthy Savings website also enables consumers to find nearby participating grocery stores, track accumulated savings through the program, view health information on serving sizes and portions, and create a shopping list and find recipes using healthy and nutritious ingredients.

Promotional discounts are offered on products that are in the healthiest one-third of items in a grocery store -- per the Guiding Stars nutrition guidance system - such as milk, wheat bread, lean meats, yogurt and produce from more than 140 brand. Savings range from $30 to $70 each week.