Hannaford Supermarkets has introduced the “Eat Well, Be Well—A Path to Better Health” initiative. Together with the company’s philanthropic arm, Hannaford Charitable Foundation, $1.5 million in donations will be used to support wholesome, fresh, and nutritious foods for under-resourced local families.
“At Hannaford, we have long believed that healthy, fresh food is a critical ingredient to ensuring the vitality of our communities,” said Peter Forester, Hannaford Charitable Foundation board chair and SVP of merchandising for Hannaford, in a statement. “Healthy meal programs break down the barriers that many individuals face in regularly accessing the wholesome, nutritious meals that their bodies and minds need. We look forward to seeing these programs grow and become an integral part of person-centered care in the years to come.”
The initiative will fund five nonprofit organizations in states local to the company which will be used to host programs that increase access to healthy, fresh food tailored to the specific health needs of each individual. Participants will receive additional nutrition education.
“We're thrilled with this partnership with Hannaford and members of our communities to use food as a tool to improve health, just as we do with medicine,” said Dora Anne Mills, M.D., M.P.H., chief health improvement officer at MaineHealth. “This partnership exemplifies our vision at MaineHealth of working together so our communities are the healthiest in America."
The company’s donations will be distributed as follows:
• $350,000 to MaineHealth, providing food from its food pantry and support from educators.
• $300,000 to The Food Pantries for the Capital District in New York, supporting enrollment of individuals with chronic health issues in a healthy meal delivery program.
• $300,000 to the New Hampshire Food Bank, facilitating an additional round of participants in its medically-tailored meals pilot program.
• $250,000 to Community Servings in Massachusetts, delivering more meals to individuals with critical and chronic illnesses.
• $100,000 to Age Well in Vermont, supporting the introduction of a new component to its Meals on Wheels program.
The rest of the funds will be allocated to additional grant funding to programs with a similar mission to those listed. The initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to community health. Last year, 25 million pounds of food were donated to local hunger relief organizations.
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