New Hanover County launches free delivery program for food, prescriptions

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — New Hanover County is helping residents living in food deserts access fresh food and prescription medications through a new delivery program with Instacart.

The county launched its Food and Medical Delivery Program on Tuesday. The initiative is funded by a $1.2 million grant from the New Hanover Community Endowment.

Qualified residents will receive a 12-month Instacart membership, with delivery fees waived on orders of $10 or more. Participants will also receive a $120 stipend to purchase fresh food.

Tonya Jackson, chief of New Hanover County Health and Human Services, said the program is designed to address both food insecurity and transportation barriers.

“Getting health foods to residents is not the only issue, couple it with the issue of transportation and mobility issue and making sure that we take care of access to prescription drugs,” Jackson said.

To qualify, residents must live in one of eight identified food deserts in New Hanover County, including an area in downtown Wilmington. Eligibility is also based on household income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level.