The Highmark Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to expand the Food for Mountaineers program, originally launched in 2024. The program provides WVU Medicine patients facing food insecurity with pre-funded debit cards to purchase nutritious food at retailers including Kroger, Food Lion, Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Dollar General. This funding reflects Highmark’s ongoing commitment to improving the whole-person health of West Virginians through partnerships that support mental, physical, and social well-being.
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in West Virginia, where one in six residents experiences hunger, ranking the state fourth highest in the nation. Coupled with the second-highest diabetes rate in the country, access to nutritious food is critical for improving overall health outcomes. The program addresses these needs by ensuring patients have access to foods that support disease management and general health.
The expansion builds on the success of the initial program, which impacted over 1,100 individuals. The initiative has evolved to include baby formula and better align with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, increasing the accessibility and relevance of support for families. This approach demonstrates a commitment to refining solutions based on community needs to maximize impact.
Highmark Foundation leaders highlighted the program’s role in addressing health-related social needs and strengthening partnerships with WVU Medicine and its Population Health Department. Innovative payment solutions provided by InComm Healthcare enable patients to receive and redeem funds conveniently, ensuring access to nutritious foods across multiple retail locations.
With this renewed funding, the Highmark Foundation and WVU Medicine continue their collaborative efforts to reduce food insecurity, improve health outcomes, and build a healthier, more resilient West Virginia community for the future.
