Fidelis Care Provides $315,000 to Combat Food Insecurity in New York State
Summary
Community-based Organizations Receive Grants to Support Individuals and Families Facing Food and Nutrition ChallengesLONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Jan. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidelis Care, a statewide health plan with more than 2.5 million members in New York State and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, announced the distribution of $315,000 in grant funding to 20 organizations dedicated to combating food insecurity and alleviating hunger across the state. That begins with ensuring access to nutritious foods for individuals and families," said Dr. Vincent Marchello, Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer. Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of ,Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals and communities through collaborative partnerships, plans to use the grant funding to advance its SNAP-Ed NY Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program, which augments existing SNAP benefits to increase an individuals purchasing power with partnering local grocery stores and farmers markets. "FVRx plays a pivotal role in preventing chronic disease and addressing food insecurity by promoting healthy eating. We have distributed thousands of dollars in FVRx vouchers to Finger Lakes residents, enabling them to access fresh local fruits and vegetables.