Uniting Communities Against Hunger

In a world where well-being is a shared pursuit, the Humana Foundation stands as a pillar for community engagement. We work hard to advance health equity by eliminating unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers to health.  For more than 20 years, we have partnered with Feeding America to address hunger and food insecurity. This Hunger Action Month, it’s important to not only shine a light on food insecurity, but to show the importance of what it means to come together with our community partners to address hunger.  

Food Insecurity touches lives across all demographics
Defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a lack of consistent access to sufficient, nutritious food, food insecurity is a challenge that touches lives across all demographics. According to Feeding America, there are no geographical bounds—hunger exists in every state, county, parish and congressional district across the United States.

Among those most vulnerable to food insecurity and hunger, seniors face unique challenges that make them even more susceptible. From financial barriers to mobility and transportation challenges, seniors sometimes find themselves having to choose between medication and meals—a choice that no one should have to make. Hunger takes a severe toll on a seniors’ health and puts them at risk for chronic health conditions.

A long-standing commitment to Feeding America
As one of the longest standing health care partners of Feeding America, Humana Inc. and the Humana Foundation are engaged both nationally and locally in direct partnerships with member food banks. Together we have given more than $6.7 million in support of Feeding America’s national hunger-relief programs throughout the partnership.  

In 2023, as part of a 23-year partnership, Humana Inc. donated $625,000 in grants to Feeding America to support mobile food pantries in nine states. The mobile deliveries will help provide food and groceries to communities in need, including seniors, in Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin, through the year.   

Moving forward, the Humana Foundation will continue to forge partnerships focused on senior access to nutritious foods and nutrition education for school-aged youth and seniors.

New grants to support regional nutrition programs  
In addition to the commitments with Feeding America, the Humana Foundation has also partnered with organizations in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas to address food insecurity. In 2023 alone, the Foundation has committed more than $8 million in new grants toward regional nutrition programs. We look forward to working with long-time partners and new organizations to reduce hunger across the country.

Here are some of the organizations who have received support over the last several years from the Humana Foundation:

• University of Louisville School of Medicine  – Louisville, KY: for dietary interventions to improve the heart health of older, African American adults.
• Dare to Care – Louisville, KY: Working to close gaps in access to nutritious food for seniors in Louisville.
• FoodCorps – Louisville, KY, LA, TX: Supporting the expansion of the organization’s nutrition education and free school meals program to Kentucky in 2023 and Louisiana and Texas in the years to come.
• Sustainable Food Center – TX: Expanding nutritious cooking classes and related benefits for seniors and youth in Texas.
• Growing Local Food Collaborative – New Orleans, LA: The Collaborative consisting of Recirculating Farms, Liberty’s Kitchen, Topbox Foods, Sprout NOLA and the New Orleans Food Policy Action Council continued growing its food systems partners, innovating programs and expanding its policy and advocacy networks.
• Healthy BR – Baton Rouge, LA: The work of Geaux Get Healthy, made up of collaborative partners working together to develop accessible and healthy food systems for all continued. The grant supported their continuing efforts to expand community partnerships and build sustainable programs like a community garden network, clinical and community-based wellness programs and a fresh food hub.
• Broward Community & Family Health Centers Inc. (BCOM) – Broward County, FL: The investment supported expansion of a Food Rx program, Social Determinants of Health screenings, nutrition counseling and education.
• University of Florida – Gainesville, FL: The investment sustained and broadened the reach of the Health-Smart Holistic Health Program for Seniors, a holistic health program that promotes social connection and food security, and mental and physical health among Black seniors in underserved Jacksonville communities. Funding also supported a pilot Black farmer entrepreneurship program.
• San Antonio Area Food Bank – San Antonio, TX: The investment supported focus on evaluating food equity best practices, SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) advocacy and the implementation of best practices at local, state and national levels.

Actively addressing hunger and food insecurity
As we reflect on these partnerships and our ongoing commitment to addressing hunger and food insecurity, we recognize that true progress lies not just in acknowledging these issues, but in the sustained, collective efforts to alleviate them. This path demands dedication, innovative solutions and belief in the transformative power of community collaboration. Together, we aspire to build a future where everyone has access to the nourishment and food needed to live well.

Finding the nearest food bank
Individuals seeking support can search by zip code to find the nearest food bank. Food banks help to run mobile pantries across the country and sometimes have an online mobile pantry schedule. There is no need to apply for or register for access to the mobile food pantries – anyone who needs help with groceries can visit.

About The Humana Foundation
The Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc. and is focused on health equity, working to eliminate unjust, avoidable and unnecessary barriers in health and healthcare. The Foundation fosters evidence-based collaborations and investments that help people in underserved communities live connected, healthy lives. As a steward of good health, the Foundation creates healthy emotional connections for people and communities and is shaping a healthier approach to nutrition to support lifelong well-being. For more information, visit humanafoundation.org.

Humana Inc. and The Humana Foundation believe everyone should have access to the tools and support needed to have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Our commitment to improving health outcomes for all – our members and patients, employees, the communities we serve, the healthcare system and the environment - is the foundation of our Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact platform.