Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Hackensack Meridian Health launches nearly $7M hunger initiative
- Effort to aid 30,000+ New Jersey residents facing food insecurity
- $2.3M school-based meal program to support children & families
- $4.7M funds to enhance grocery, meal shelter support
Amid interruptions and uncertainty surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Hackensack Meridian Health is kicking off an almost $7 million initiative to combat food insecurity in New Jersey.
Edison-based HMH announced the effort Nov. 10, which aims to impact more than 30,000 New Jerseyans. The new school-based offering will provide nutritious food to children as well as launch a network-wide food drive across its 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations.
HMH also plans to enhance existing grocery and meal programs, the system said.
In a statement, HMH Chief Executive Officer Robert Garrett commented, “At Hackensack Meridian Health, our commitment to building healthier communities extends beyond the walls of our hospitals. There is no more fundamental need than access to nutritious food, which is why we are turning dollars into impact by addressing the root causes of hunger.”
“This nearly $7 million investment is a critical step in our mission. By ensuring our most vulnerable residents, including the more than 800,000 families who rely on SNAP benefits, have consistent access to healthy food, we are investing in a healthier, more resilient New Jersey for all,” he said.
HMH’s announcement comes as states face unclear guidance on future funding and SNAP continuity. As of Nov. 7, SNAP recipients in New Jersey received their full payment for this month, according to Gov. Phil Murphy’s office. However, additional funding is in limbo due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the Trump administration’s appeal attempts.
Pack-ing a punch
According to HMH, the cornerstone of the new investment is a $2.3 million campaign that seeks to extend the benefits of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. The move will provide kids with healthy, easy-to-prepare meals for weekends and school breaks.
Dubbed the HMH Healthy Connections Nutrition Pack Program, the effort will roll out this month in at least 13 schools and after-school programs in communities served by the network.
HMH noted it is targeting locations where 40% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
The offering is a collaborative effort with several of the health care system’s established partners, such as Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Fulfill. Through the program, students will receive either a nutrition box or reusable HMH-branded bag filled with shelf-stable, kid-friendly meals.
They’ll also get some fresh produce through a partnership with The Common Market, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit regional wholesale food distributor, HMH said.
The backpack program will run through June 2026. However, HMH said it will conduct an ongoing evaluation to measure impact and guide potential expansion.
‘Maximum impact’
According to HMH, the newly announced resources are being strategically allocated across several key areas of the network’s Healthy Connections program.
Founded in 2021, Healthy Connections strives to link individuals up with non-medical resources for needs such as food, housing and transportation. Over the past four years, the effort has conducted over 2.7 million screenings for social needs and made more than 7 million referrals, according to HMH.
Besides $2.3 million for the backpack program, HMH will make contributions to the following Healthy Connections areas:
- $4.2 million for grocery programs, including the Fresh Match initiative that gives a dollar-for-dollar match on fresh fruits and vegetables for customers using SNAP benefits at participating stores
- $125,000 to support a medically tailored meals program that provides customized, healthy meals to patients who screened positive for food insecurity before they were discharged from the hospital
- $400,000 for a program that offers support for residents in homeless shelters
HMH Senior Vice President of Social Impact & Population Health Nicole Harris-Hollingsworth said, “We are dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This initiative is about more than just providing food; it’s about providing security, improving health outcomes and showing our communities that we are here for them.”
She went on to say, “By partnering with expert organizations like Feeding America-affiliated food banks and leveraging our network’s resources, we are ensuring that our investments have the maximum impact, reaching the people who need it most.”
