Cigna Healthcare has pledged $1 million to combat food insecurity among elderly individuals. This funding will support 56 organizations across 12 states, including initiatives like food pantries and meal deliveries. Notably, Cigna is partnering with The Farmlink Project, connecting surplus farm produce to communities. The company’s contributions are expected to provide over 3 million meals, increase access to 1.88 million pounds of fresh produce, and reduce carbon emissions. In the United States, where 1 in 14 seniors faces hunger, this initiative underscores Cigna’s commitment to addressing food insecurity, aligning with a broader healthcare trend.
Cigna Healthcare is making a significant investment of $1 million to combat food insecurity among elderly individuals. This generous funding will be directed towards supporting various programs aimed at alleviating food insecurity, including initiatives like food pantries, mobile food deliveries, and the distribution of nutritious meal boxes.
In a statement, JB Sobel, MD, the Chief Medical Officer for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business, highlighted the pressing issue of food insecurity among older adults in the United States. He emphasized that this problem can have detrimental effects on their health and overall well-being. Many older adults have specific dietary requirements due to various health conditions, and ensuring they have access to regular, healthy food is crucial for improving their vitality. Cigna Healthcare is committed to affording every individual the opportunity to live a healthy life.
The $1 million funding has been distributed among 56 organizations operating in 12 different states, all dedicated to assisting seniors facing food insecurity. These organizations include local chapters of Meals on Wheels, food banks, and various coalitions and centers that cater to the needs of senior citizens and veterans.
The funding will also bolster programs focused on food and nutrition, such as food pantries, mobile food deliveries, and the distribution of nutritional meal boxes. Notably, Cigna Healthcare has chosen to support The Farmlink Project, a nonprofit organization that connects surplus harvests from farms with communities across the United States, thereby increasing access to nutritious food. This partnership marks Cigna Healthcare as the exclusive sponsor for this commendable initiative.
Aidan Reilly, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at The Farmlink Project, expressed their pride in partnering with Cigna Healthcare. They highlighted the importance of fresh and healthy food in helping individuals reach their full health potential, particularly in a country where millions grapple with food insecurity each year. Through this collaboration, they aim to provide fresh produce to families nationwide during the fall and holiday seasons, when the need is most acute.
Cigna’s financial contributions are expected to make a substantial impact, providing over 3 million meals to seniors in need and increasing access to 1.88 million pounds of fresh produce. Additionally, this initiative is anticipated to save 21 million gallons of water and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.89 tons through responsible food distribution practices.
Recent data from Feeding America reveals that in 2021, one in 14 seniors in the United States faced hunger. Moreover, according to CDC statistics, six in ten Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, with poor dietary choices exacerbating these health conditions. Research has shown that diet-related chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, account for nearly 20 percent of annual healthcare costs in the United States.
Cigna has a history of addressing food insecurity among its members. In 2022, the Cigna Foundation donated $2.2 million to 16 schools with significant populations of low-income students. These funds were utilized to stock school food pantries and provide weekend food kits to students in need.
Cigna Healthcare’s commitment to combating food insecurity aligns with the broader trend of healthcare providers prioritizing social determinants of health initiatives, particularly those addressing food insecurity. In April 2023, Humana announced a partnership with the University of Northern Florida (UNF) to expand the “Meals on Wings” program, which repurposes food that hospitals would otherwise discard. UNF students then deliver these meals to seniors who have been waitlisted for Meals on Wheels, further highlighting the industry’s dedication to tackling this critical issue.
