CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Instacart is looking at launching a new platform nationwide as it seeks solutions to help feed the hungry, thanks to Charlotte-created innovation invented to help make a difference.
Instead of browsing in person, the technology first launched last year means people who get their food from the Loaves & Fishes food bank can make their selections online. Now the delivery service is looking at expanding the innovation nationwide.
Loaves & Fishes CEO Tina Postel said this virtual option is great for clients with medical and dietary needs, who can now make their own dietary selections from home.
“I had been searching for an opportunity to return to client choice," Postel said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the food bank, like many others, pivoted to contactless drop-off and delivery. However, those alternatives were not customized and removed some elements of self-shopping from the experience.
"We knew grocery home delivery was the best way to get food to people in need but choice mattered to us," Postel explained. "This technology has been a game changer.”
MORE FROM WCNC CHARLOTTE: How you can make a difference with Loaves & Fishes
The difference
All of this is thanks to a team of Charlotte-based techies, a lightbulb moment, and an urge to give back.
Loaves and Fishes clients can shop the food bank through a special platform within the Instacart app.
“We can provide food based on preferences, cultural needs, medical needs – diabetic and need diabetic friendly food can order through this,” Postel explained.
Innovation first launched with Loaves & Fishes in Charlotte could find itself feeding the hungry nationwide.
Spark of innovation
Steve Hagood, the chief information officer for Trane Technologies, and Aly Brooke, a vice president at Hylaine, are longtime friends and both are big names in the Charlotte tech scene. For this need, they decided to pool their resources.
“We were talking one afternoon: What can we do to make a difference?” Hagood remembered.
They brought in their counterparts at Kroger (parent company of Matthews-based Harris Teeter) and Food Lion, who both reached out to Instacart, the online shopping and delivery platform the grocery chains utilize.
Coben recalled Instacart was eager to help. This project would mark the first time they worked with a food pantry on anything like this.
“I’m really proud of the fact that the tech community ... was willing to come together," Hagwood said. "We didn’t know what it would turn into but we were willing to give our time to it and see what difference we could make - and we are making a difference.”
The service first launched a year ago and has served more than 3,000 clients.
“What started from a conversation between two friends talking about a problem in the community," Coben said. "[We] actually came with a solution and are helping people and that feels pretty incredible."
Hagwood too credits their ability to pool connections "for the greater good of the community."
Building upon the proven success in Charlotte, they hope this technology can be implemented in communities across the country.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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