We are lucky in Massachusetts to have Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Aldi and fairly health food friendly large grocery store chains in most counties. I will be the first to admit I take it for granted. I had never heard the word “food desert” until about 8 years ago.
Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Online shopping doesn’t exactly give you access to fresh food, but it does allow you to have healthy non-perishable food delivered right to your door. Thrive Market is an online shopping club that allows you to shop over 4,000 natural and organic products at wholesale price helping provide easy access for families that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford them or get to them!
You can join for $5 a month (or $59.95/year) and buy products for 25-50% off what you would pay at a regular grocery store. Through the company’s Thrive Gives initiative, every paid membership is matched with a free membership for a low-income American family, military family, or teacher.
I’m excited to be able to offer you guys 2 free months and 25% off your total purchase at Thrive Market. Click here to get started.
Brands sold include Weleda, Dr. Bronner’s, Spectrum Naturals, Garden of Eatin’, Bob’s Red Mill, Nature’s Path, Eden Foods, Annie’s Homegrown, Earth’s Best, Seventh Generation, Garden of Life, Jason Naturals and many more.
I recently ordered a few snacks for my travels this month through Thrive and decided to share them in a haul video. I did not choose the most cost effective snacks but I did chose the ones I rarely buy at Whole Foods because they are just too expensive. Check out my snack haul below and then go shopping yourself!
Here are a few links to the products that I bought 🙂
http://thrv.me/SarahFitGingerSlices
http://thrv.me/SarahSnackMix
http://thrv.me/SarahKaleChips
http://thrv.me/SarahZucchini
http://thrv.me/SarahOnionRings
This is really a great new program! I have been very fortunate to live in areas that have had so many food shopping options. It’s nice that people who are in more remote places can turn to online options.
Love Thrive! It’s beautiful and super healthy!