The National Grocers Association Foundation through its Point of Sale Produce Prescription Workgroup, has created a core functionality document for efficient produce prescription POS solutions. This will be added to the association’s collection of resources that guide grocers seeking to offer nutrition incentives and produce prescription programs in their communities.
Produce prescriptions are programs that aim to positively impact dietary habits and overall health of individuals, particularly those with limited access to healthy foods and diet-related health conditions.
This workgroup was brought together in partnership with the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Center (NTAE) and featured representatives from 15 different nonprofits and government agencies that administer PPR programs. The document outlines the POS specifications for successful execution of produce prescription programs in grocery settings. Previously, the NGAF TA Center created a similar standards document using the workgroup model for nutrition incentive programs which has been used by technology providers, retailers, and nonprofit organizations across the country.
Over the course of several months, these representatives worked to reach consensus on the common functionality needed in POS systems and payment processors to offer produce prescription solutions. Participants receive access to funds they can spend at grocery stores or other redemption sites on fresh fruits and vegetables through partnership with a healthcare provider.
“I was impressed by the cohesion and engagement of all members of the workgroup,” said Josh Anderegg, project director of the NGAF Technical Assistance Center, in a statement. “Our goal in creating this document was to eliminate the barriers to entry and progress that come with developing new software for retail owners, and we all look forward to the solutions that will be created as a result.”
NGAF encourages all POS developers and payment processors to use the document as a starting point for their solution to enable their retailers across the country to take advantage of these programs. Thus far, several POS developers, dealers, and manufacturers have supported the document, including ECRS, EPIC Technology Solutions, INCOMM, Longtail Retail, Nations Benefits and nData Solutions.
NGAF will host a webinar to discuss the process that was implemented to create this document, as well as a share out of the document itself, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m. p.m. EST.
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