Bento is a Social Determinants of Health SMS platform that connects individuals facing food insecurity with dietitian-curated groceries from local stores, facilitating access to nutritious meals. By utilizing SMS technology, Bento addresses hunger as a primary barrier to health, while also linking users to additional resources for transportation and chronic disease management.
Funding
$8.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Low-income individuals often face barriers to accessing nutritious food, leading to food insecurity and hindering their ability to manage chronic health conditions effectively. Traditional food assistance programs may lack personalization and can be stigmatizing, failing to address the specific dietary needs and preferences of vulnerable populations.
Solution
Bento provides a technology-enabled service that connects low-income community members with medically tailored groceries delivered directly from local stores. Through a user-friendly SMS interface, members can select dietitian-curated grocery orders that align with their individual health needs, cultural preferences, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Bento's approach eliminates the stigma associated with traditional food assistance by ensuring that every order resembles a standard online grocery delivery. By addressing food insecurity and promoting access to nutritious food, Bento empowers individuals to manage their health proactively and improve their overall quality of life. The platform also offers nutrition and care navigation to support long-term lifestyle changes.
Target Audience
Bento primarily serves low-income community members and individuals managing chronic diseases, as well as healthcare providers and social care networks seeking to improve patient outcomes through medically tailored nutrition.
Features
- SMS-based platform for easy access and order management
- Dietitian-curated grocery orders tailored to specific health conditions
- Integration with local grocery stores for fresh and convenient delivery
- Culturally sensitive food options to meet diverse dietary needs
- Health coaching and care navigation for sustained lifestyle improvements
- Stigma-free delivery experience resembling standard online grocery orders
- Medicaid healthcare plan benefit in select regions