Blue Shield of California Launches Food as Health Initiative
Blue Shield of California has launched a statewide "Food as Health" initiative and is supporting Alameda County Community Food Bank with $300,000.
Oakland, Calif. – Blue Shield of California has launched a new statewide "Food as Health" initiative, pledging $600,000 to seven food security nonprofits across the state. The company has initiated a collaboration with Alameda County Community Food Bank, providing a $300,000 multi-year investment.
The funding is designated for medically tailored meals, culturally relevant resources, family nutrition programs, and other community-based solutions. These aim to improve healthcare and nutrition by connecting them for better health outcomes and more equitable access. The initiative reflects Blue Shield's commitment to addressing social drivers of health, combating chronic diseases, and promoting long-term healthcare affordability.
The $300,000 investment to Alameda County Community Food Bank will support its "Food as Medicine" program, which delivers home-delivered, medically supportive food and nutrition education to Medi-Cal members managing chronic conditions. Blue Shield is the program's first and largest corporate sponsor.
"Nutritious food is a foundation of good health," stated Mike Stuart, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. "As a nonprofit health plan, we have an important role to play in helping people live healthier lives, improve health outcomes, and help prevent and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease." Industry leaders and community stakeholders gathered at a volunteer event in Oakland to celebrate the program's impact.
The "Food as Medicine" program provides 12 weeks of home-delivered medically supportive food and nutrition education. It is the first food bank in California to leverage CalAIM funding to provide medically supportive food to eligible Medi-Cal members. Blue Shield's initiative was announced in conjunction with the expansion of this program.