September 10, 2024 – During Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s (FAKH) annual Hunger Action Day event, FAKH and Aetna Better Health of Kentucky (Aetna) announced a groundbreaking $250,000 partnership aimed at addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes in under-resourced communities. This significant collaboration will launch a new initiative to mitigate food insecurity in rural areas and communities of color, where accessing nutritious food can be particularly challenging.
“Access to nutritious food is a fundamental need, and it’s crucial that we address the disparities faced by rural communities and communities of color,” said Charles Dennis, Executive Director of Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland. “This initiative is about more than just providing meals; it’s about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy life, regardless of their zip code or background.”
Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap study highlights disparities in food insecurity experienced by individuals in rural area and communities of color, propelling this initiative forward. The study reveals that nine out of 10 counties with high food insecurity un the United States are rural. Additionally, the study reveals that Black and Latino individuals experience food insecurity rates that surpass those of white individuals in most counties. In the FAKH service area, food insecurity among Latinos reaches as high as 44% in some communities, and as high as 39% among Black individuals.
Through this partnership, FAKH and Aetna will work with seven agency partners across five counties (Allen, Christian, Marion, Meade and Warren) to enhance access to nutritious food resources. The initiative will promote healthy food choices and expand FAKH’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) efforts by making culturally -preferred foods more readily available. With this collaboration, each agency partner will be able to provide at least 16,000 nutritious meals per month for local neighbors facing hunger.
“At Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, we believe that addressing food insecurity is essential for the overall health and well-being of our communities,” said CEO Paige Franklin. “By partnering with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, we aim to provide not just food, but nutritious options that support healthy lifestyles and improve long-term health outcomes.”
Following the announcement, Aetna staff members and other community supporters of FAKH volunteered to pack BackPack Bags, which are distributed to children throughout 34 of FAKH’s 42 counties over weekends and holiday breaks when they may not have access to food at home.
