SMITHFIELD, Va., Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, in collaboration with Kroger, distributed 1,000 free holiday hams and grocery bags filled with side dishes as part of its Season of Serving food distribution event, providing a complete meal to neighbors facing hunger in Southeastern Virginia. “The Tidewater region of Virginia has been our home for nearly 90 years, and we are deeply committed to supporting our neighbors,” said Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Through ou ...

Core Insights - Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. has announced a $1.15 million grant over three years to support the Food On The Move mobile food pantry program, which aims to provide healthy food to underserved populations in Illinois [2][4]. Group 1: Grant and Program Details - The grant will fund over 300 mobile market distributions throughout Metro East and Southern Illinois, targeting low-income areas with limited access to nutritious food [3]. - In 2024, Food On The Move supported approximately 12,000 individuals across 4,300 households, and by May 2025, it reached nearly 18,700 people in over 6,500 households [5]. Group 2: Community Impact - More than 1.6 million residents in Illinois face food insecurity, with St. Clair County having an estimated 34,520 food-insecure individuals, representing 13.5% of the population [4]. - The program is expected to serve an anticipated 60,000 community members through 2028, significantly enhancing access to healthy food and nutrition education [5]. Group 3: Program Features and Community Engagement - The mobile pantry allows individuals to choose foods that fit their household needs, serving up to 100 families at each stop, which promotes dignity and respect [7]. - Starting in 2026, Meridian will collaborate with local healthcare providers to offer health screenings and vaccinations at selected Food On The Move events [8].

Core Insights - Health Net, a Medi-Cal managed care health plan in California, announced over $1.4 million in investments in 2025 to address food insecurity, particularly in light of disruptions to federal nutrition programs affecting millions of families [1][3][4] Investment Details - The investments aim to strengthen community food resources across California, providing immediate relief and long-term solutions to hunger [2] - Key contributions include a $1.1 million grant from the Centene Foundation to the California Association of Food Banks and significant grants to local organizations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties [7] Community Engagement - Health Net employees volunteered over 500 hours in 2025 with organizations focused on food insecurity, reflecting the company's commitment to community support [5] - The company supports the California Food is Medicine Coalition, which provides medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to those in need [6] Impact on Local Communities - Food insecurity affects approximately 5.5 million people in California, with over 270,000 in Sacramento County alone, highlighting the critical need for these investments [4] - Local organizations, such as Hope the Mission, emphasize the positive impact of access to nutritious food on community health and well-being [4]

Good morning. Good to have you with us. I'm Joe Frier. >> And I'm Savannah Sers.Thanks very much for being with us on this day before Thanksgiving. We are going to start this hour with the record number of Americans on the move this morning for Turkey Day. At airports, the FAA is expecting major crowds, saying this Thanksgiving week will be the busiest in 15 years.>> But dangerous storms across the country are turning some airports into makeshift hotels, stranding passengers or just trying to get home for t ...

Core Insights - Coordinated Care has provided over 18 million meals in Washington since 2020, addressing food insecurity as part of its commitment to increase access to healthy food [1][5] - The organization’s One Million Meals campaign has consistently exceeded annual goals, demonstrating effective community partnerships [2][5] - Coordinated Care Harvest Bucks program offers Medicaid members up to $100 annually for produce prescriptions, enhancing grocery budgets and promoting nutritional health [4][5] Company Initiatives - The One Million Meals campaign began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has shown significant success through collaboration with local partners [2][3] - Coordinated Care's volunteer efforts have included packing meals and supporting local food programs, reflecting a strong community engagement [7] - The organization aims to address whole-person health care needs by integrating food access with healthcare services [5][8] Community Impact - Food insecurity affects approximately 47.4 million people in the U.S., including 13.8 million children, highlighting the importance of Coordinated Care's initiatives [1] - The organization collaborates with various local food banks and health organizations to maximize its impact on community health [2][7] - Coordinated Care's efforts are part of a broader mission to transform community health by addressing nutrition and food access challenges [5][8]

Core Points - California American Water is collaborating with local officials to support food pantries during the holiday season through its Operation Gobble initiative [1][2][3] - The company donated $2,500 each to the Carmichael Adventist Food Pantry and Sunrise Christian Food Ministries to assist families in need [1][2] - The initiative aims to address the increased demand for food assistance during Thanksgiving, highlighting the ongoing issue of food insecurity [2][3] Company Overview - California American Water is a subsidiary of American Water, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 750,000 people [7] - American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., serving over 14 million people across 14 states [4]

Core Insights - Sunshine Health and Centene Foundation announced a $300,000 investment to combat food insecurity in Florida, partnering with Farm Share, Inc. to provide emergency food resources [1][2] - The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by millions of Americans due to disruptions in nutrition assistance programs, affecting approximately 47.4 million people nationwide [1][6] - An additional $110,000 will be allocated to various organizations across Florida to further support food distribution efforts [3][5] Investment Details - The $300,000 investment will enable Farm Share to distribute at least 125,000 pounds of food, equating to over 104,000 meals [2] - The funding is part of a broader $1.5 million commitment from the Centene Foundation to support food banks and community organizations nationwide [5][8] Organizational Impact - Sunshine Health emphasizes its mission to uplift communities and ensure access to nutritious food, continuing its monthly food pantry initiatives at Community Connections Centers [4][10] - Centene's Chief Health Officer highlighted the importance of access to nutritious food as foundational to good health, with over 95% of its Medicaid plans offering food or nutrition intervention programs [6][8] Broader Commitment - In 2024, Centene invested $77.1 million toward food security initiatives across multiple states, reinforcing its commitment to addressing food insecurity and chronic disease [8][9] - The investments reflect Centene's mission to transform community health through locally driven solutions, integrating food access with healthcare services [9][10]

Core Insights - The Humana Foundation's new issue brief highlights the growing food insecurity crisis among seniors in Kentucky, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions and investments to address this public health challenge [1][4][6] Summary by Sections Food Insecurity Statistics - Kentucky ranks 46th among all states in senior health status, with food insecurity among seniors aged 65 and older currently at 12.0%, exceeding the national average of 9.2% [2] - Approximately one in five seniors in Kentucky has type 2 diabetes, and a similar proportion reports being diagnosed with depression, both of which are often linked to food insecurity [2] Mental Health and Social Factors - There is a strong correlation between food insecurity and mental health issues among seniors, with loneliness and lack of social support significantly increasing the likelihood of food insecurity [3] Barriers to Accessing Nutritious Food - Key barriers affecting seniors' access to nutritious food include mobility and transportation challenges, geographic and social isolation, limited income, and difficulties in applying for food assistance [4] - The research involved interviews with seniors from both rural and urban areas, revealing that rural seniors face additional challenges due to the distances required to obtain affordable and nutritious food [4] Call to Action and Recommendations - The issue brief calls for investments in community-driven programs that prioritize seniors' voices and address both nutrition and social connections [6] - Recommendations include increasing outreach and enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently has only 18.5% of eligible seniors enrolled in Kentucky [9] - The brief advocates for cross-sector collaboration among food and aging service providers, supported by government and philanthropic initiatives, to create a sustainable food ecosystem for seniors [7][9]

Core Points - Grocery Outlet has partnered with Feeding America to provide three million meals to those facing hunger during the holiday season [1][5] - The company will match in-store donations at checkout up to $150,000, allowing customers to contribute to local food banks [2][3] - Customers can donate various amounts at checkout or round up their total bill to support the initiative [3] Company Overview - Grocery Outlet is a high-growth, extreme value retailer based in Emeryville, California, with over 550 stores across multiple states [6] - The company focuses on providing quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products through independently operated stores [6] Industry Context - According to Feeding America, 47 million people in the U.S. face hunger, including 13 million children, highlighting the significant need for food assistance [4] - Feeding America operates a network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 programs to distribute food nationwide [4]

Core Insights - Carolina Complete Health and Centene Foundation announced a strategic investment to combat food insecurity in North Carolina, addressing challenges exacerbated by disruptions to SNAP and WIC programs [1][2] - Approximately 47.4 million people in the U.S. are affected by food insecurity, including 13.8 million children, highlighting the urgency of the initiative [1] - The investment includes over $200,000 to support food banks and organizations, with a total commitment of $1.5 million from the Centene Foundation for similar initiatives nationwide [2][4] Investment Details - Carolina Complete Health is facilitating funding to ten Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to distribute food directly to patients [2] - Over the past 18 months, Carolina Complete Health has invested more than $3 million to combat food insecurity, including specific projects like a $600,000 investment for a food pantry and a $250,000 investment for a prescription produce program [2][4] - Centene's broader commitment includes a $77.1 million investment in food security initiatives across multiple states in 2024 [4] Organizational Commitment - Carolina Complete Health emphasizes its mission to support vulnerable communities and improve access to nutritious food as a critical health priority [2][4] - Centene Foundation focuses on investing in economically challenged communities and addressing health equity through healthcare, social services, and education [5]