Earlier this week Minyard Food Stores, Inc. began offering any expectant mom free prenatal prescription vitamins as part of a community-based "Start Life Healthy" initiative.

In time for Mother's Day, the "Start Life Healthy" program will offer free prenatal vitamins to all expectant mothers for a full year, which includes three months after delivery, at any Carnival, Minyard, or Sack'n Save store in north Texas. The company claimed this is the first time such a program has been offered by any retail store in the north Texas area.

"We are committed to health and wellness programs, benefiting our customers, and the communities in which we operate," said Minyard president and c.e.o. Mike Byars.

Expectant moms must present a doctor's prescription for one of three popular prenatal vitamin formulations made by Ethex Corp. at any Carnival, Minyard, or Sack'n Save pharmacy to receive a first one-month supply with monthly refills at no cost. No insurance plan is required.

The company said it's working with local health, community, civic, and faith-based organizations to help spread the word about the free prenatal prescription vitamin program.

Minyard Food Stores, Inc. operates 58 supermarkets, 33 pharmacies, and 13 fuel stations in six surrounding counties of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, including 21 Minyard, 12 Sack'n Save and 25 Carnival Food Stores.