How Incentives Support Nutrition & Wellness Programs During National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month^®, an annual initiative led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to encourage informed food choices and healthier eating habits. As organizations plan for National Nutrition Month, nutrition is increasingly being viewed not just as a personal responsibility—but as a measurable component of broader wellness strategies.

That shift is driving renewed interest in wellness incentives, health incentives, and nutrition incentives that actively support healthier behaviors rather than simply promoting awareness. When paired with the right reward structure, nutrition programs become easier to participate in, more equitable, and more effective.

Why Nutrition Incentives Matter More Than Ever

Nutrition plays a foundational role in long-term health outcomes, productivity, and healthcare costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of U.S. adults are affected by obesity—a risk factor closely linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

For employers, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and public programs, this translates into higher costs and lower engagement if nutrition barriers go unaddressed. Educational campaigns alone often fall short. Incentives help bridge the gap between knowledge and action by reducing friction and making healthier choices more accessible.

How Incentives Strengthen Nutrition & Wellness Programs

Effective nutrition incentives are designed to support—not dictate—behavior. When aligned with wellness goals, incentives can:

• Increase participation in nutrition education or screenings
• Encourage grocery shopping for healthier foods
• Support food access for underserved populations
• Reinforce long-term habit formation

The most successful programs pair incentives with choice, flexibility, and guardrails—ensuring rewards align with health objectives while still respecting individual autonomy.

Wellness-Aligned Rewards That Promote Healthy Choices

Not all incentives are created equal. General-purpose rewards may unintentionally undermine nutrition goals, while wellness-aligned incentives are purpose-built to support healthier outcomes.

Filtered reward cards and filtered grocery cards are especially effective for nutrition-focused initiatives. These cards limit redemption to approved categories—such as groceries, fresh food, pharmacy items, or wellness essentials—helping organizations stay aligned with program intent without micromanaging purchases.

Through the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform, organizations can easily deploy:

• Filtered grocery cards for healthy food access
• Health-focused gift cards tied to wellness retailers and pharmacies
• Choice-based rewards like the Engage2Reward™ Choice Card, which can be restricted at a campaign level to provide program guardrails

This approach ensures incentives reinforce nutrition goals while remaining simple to administer at scale.

Using Incentives During National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month provides a timely opportunity to launch or amplify nutrition programs. Incentives can be used to encourage:

• Participation in nutrition workshops or challenges
• Completion of health assessments or screenings
• Grocery purchasing aligned with dietary guidelines
• Engagement in workplace or community wellness initiatives

Because the Engage2Reward Platform supports both digital and physical delivery, organizations can tailor distribution to their audience—sending instant digital rewards for immediate reinforcement or bulk rewards for onsite events and campaigns.

Why Platforms Matter for Nutrition Incentives

As nutrition and wellness programs grow, so do the operational demands behind them. Compliance, reporting, delivery logistics, and program consistency all become critical—especially in regulated healthcare, nonprofit, or employer-sponsored environments.

The Engage2Reward Platform simplifies execution by centralizing reward sourcing, filtering, delivery, and reporting in one place. This allows program leaders to focus on outcomes—participation, behavior change, and equity—rather than administration.

Building Healthier Habits That Last

Nutrition incentives work best when they’re part of a broader wellness strategy—one that recognizes the real-world barriers people face when trying to eat well. By pairing education with thoughtfully designed incentives, organizations can move beyond awareness and help participants take meaningful, sustainable steps toward better health.

As National Nutrition Month approaches, incentives offer a practical way to turn nutrition goals into action—supporting healthier choices, stronger engagement, and measurable impact.

Contact our team today to learn how to improve wellness program outcomes with flexible rewards.