Grocery stores have always been a vital part of the community—but what if they could also serve as health hubs? At CleanCut Health, we’ve been piloting partnerships with independent grocers and community markets in underserved areas, and the results are inspiring: screenings are up, engagement is high, and community members are not just buying groceries—they’re taking control of their health.
In this blog, we explore how corner stores and supermarkets are evolving into trusted access points for preventive care, and what this means for the future of health equity.
In many underserved communities, a trip to the doctor can mean taking unpaid time off work, navigating unfamiliar clinics, or waiting for hours. But grocery stores? Everyone goes there—and they go often.
“These stores are where health care can finally meet real life.”
They are accessible, familiar, and trusted—especially in communities of color where systemic barriers have long eroded trust in institutional health systems. By embedding CleanCut Health’s rewards-based health actions into these everyday spaces, we are effectively bringing wellness to the aisles of everyday life.
Our approach is simple but powerful. We partner with independent grocery stores, bodegas, and mini-markets to implement the following:
CleanCut Rewards Redemption Stations
Shoppers can redeem their health action points earned from screenings, education modules, or appointments as in-store grocery vouchers.
In-Aisle Health Actions
We install quick QR code stands next to health-related items (e.g., fresh produce, water, low-sodium goods) where members can scan and earn micro-points for choosing healthy items.
In-Store Events
From blood pressure checks to flu shot pop-ups, we host mini health activations in-store in partnership with CBOs and mobile clinics.
Community Messaging
Posters, flyers, and audio announcements inside stores reinforce health messages in culturally relevant language and tone.
Participation Spikes When Health Meets Convenience
Since launching grocery pilots in cities like Baltimore, Chicago, and South Dallas, we’ve seen an 80% increase in Verified Health Actions in those zip codes. Customers are far more likely to complete screenings or sign up for a health program when they don’t have to travel far.
Grocers Become Health Champions
Local store owners—once just vendors—are now key health messengers. Many have taken ownership of the program, proudly promoting it and helping community members get onboard.
Food & Health Are Linked in Mindset
Many shoppers view CleanCut as more than a rewards program. The idea that "health means feeding my body right" resonates powerfully when groceries and screenings are part of the same ecosystem.
In the fight for health equity, access is everything—and grocery stores have emerged as a surprisingly powerful frontline. By meeting people where they are and rewarding them for everyday decisions, CleanCut Health is changing the face of preventive care—one cart and community at a time.
