RELEASE: Share Our Strength Provides Key Funding to State-Based Advocates to Support Food Security Policy Initiatives for Children and Families

Medicaid Food Security Network Addresses Food and Nutrition Insecurity with an Emphasis On Closing the Enrollment Gap in SNAP and WIC

Contact: Laura Rice lrice@strength.org 

Washington, D.C. – Share Our Strength, in collaboration with HealthBegins and Benefits Data Trust, has launched the Medicaid Food Security Network (MFSN), a national forum of healthcare and food security stakeholders dedicated to mobilizing Medicaid systems to becoming a key partner in addressing food and nutrition insecurity for children and families. With an emphasis on closing the enrollment gap in SNAP and WIC, the Network aims to build upon the momentum of the Food is Medicine movement by elevating opportunities to center children and families in healthcare-based nutrition interventions.

The Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to more than 80 million people, has the unique ability to reach members furthest from economic resources who may not be able to access adequate food and nutrition. Mounting evidence indicates that addressing food security is crucial for improving health outcomes, reducing health inequities, and cutting healthcare costs, presenting a significant opportunity to mobilize Medicaid resources and infrastructure. 

“The Medicaid system is a powerful vehicle to address food insecurity for children and families, as part of whole person care. We’re excited to see so many states invest in connecting Medicaid members to food resources, but we have more work to do,” says Share Our Strength managing director Kelleen Zubick. 

As one of the Network’s first initiatives, Share Our Strength is funding four state-based organizations to play a critical role in supporting the implementation of promising food-security policy initiatives within their state Medicaid programs. Grantees will receive $70,000 for an 18-month period, as well as cohort learning opportunities and technical assistance. The four grantees are:

• Federation of Virginia Food Banks
• Food Bank Council of Michigan
• Oklahoma Policy Institute
• Voices for Georgia’s Children

“We are ready to capitalize on this opportunity to improve food security for Oklahomans enrolled in Medicaid,” says Angela Monson, Outreach & Legislative Director at Oklahoma Policy Institute and former Oklahoma State Representative and Senator. “We hope to see our residents on Medicaid connected to SNAP and WIC, as well as the other food resources they need to thrive.”

About the MFSN Co-Designers

Share Our Strength is ending hunger and poverty–in the United States and abroad. Through proven, effective campaigns like No Kid Hungry, we connect people who care to ideas that work.

HealthBegins partners with and trains courageous leaders to improve the social drivers of health and equity at all levels: individual social needs, community-level social determinants of health, and deeper structural determinants of health equity. 

Benefits Data Trust helps people live healthier, more independent lives by creating smarter ways to access essential benefits and services, including food, healthcare, and other critical needs. 

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About Share Our Strength: At Share Our Strength, we’re ending hunger and poverty—in the United States and abroad. Through proven, effective campaigns and programs like No Kid Hungry, we connect people who care to ideas that work.