In a significant boost to combat food insecurity, Wayne County Cornell Cooperative Extension has been awarded a $50,000 grant by Fidelis Care, a health plan serving over 2.5 million members across New York State. This funding is part of a larger $315,000 initiative aimed at supporting 20 organizations statewide that are dedicated to alleviating hunger and ensuring access to nutritious foods for vulnerable households. Food insecurity affects approximately one in ten New York households, highlighting the critical need for such support.
Fidelis Care, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, emphasizes the importance of addressing hunger as a key component of community health and wellness. Dr. Vincent Marchello, Chief Medical Officer at Fidelis Care, highlighted the company’s commitment to enhancing local communities by promoting access to healthy food options. This initiative underscores Fidelis Care’s dedication to ensuring no individual or family has to face the challenge of hunger.
The grant will support Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County’s SNAP-Ed NY Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program, aimed at bolstering SNAP benefits and enabling recipients to purchase fresh produce from local grocery stores and farmer’s markets. Maggie McHugh, SNAP-Ed NY Regional Manager, expressed gratitude for the support, which will expand the program’s reach and further its goal of preventing chronic diseases through improved diet and increased food security among residents of the Finger Lakes region.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].