AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana Announces $1 Million Investment to Address Food Insecurity
March 31, 2025 - Baton Rouge, La.
AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is helping tackle food insecurity with a $1 million investment to help build healthier communities and address the state’s health care needs. This funding will serve to support and amplify the work that is underway in urban and rural communities across the state.
AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana’s investment will support programming and partnerships with Second Harvest of South Louisiana, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, and the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, among many other organizations helping Louisianans facing hunger.
According to Feeding Louisiana, 1 in 7 Louisianans struggle to provide a healthy meal for themselves or their household. That research shows that food-secure individuals have better physical and mental health, are more productive, and tend to perform better at work or school.
“For more than a decade, our core to our mission has been building healthier communities across our state. And access to healthy food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, is key to building healthier communities,” said AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana Market President Kyle Viator. “Food insecurity is a big challenge for our members and our community more broadly, so we are proud to make this investment in partners doing critical work in this space.”
AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana will provide money and staff to support a variety of programs, like Makin’ Groceries Mobile Markets, mobile pop-up food pantries, food backpack distributions, and summer food service programs for students.
“This investment from AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana will provide critical resources to help us meet the increased need to deliver nutritious meals to more individuals and families across our 11-parish service area,” said Mike Manning, president & CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “Organizations like AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana are coming together as community to create greater impact for those experiencing food insecurity.”
In addition to addressing food insecurity challenges, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is investing in a variety of organizations and partners to offer increased support for the underserved and vulnerable, including the Louisiana Primary Care Association, the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance, the Foundation for Wellness and J&B Medical.
During the coming months, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana will assist these organizations with community health screenings, provider education opportunities, mobile unit events, youth mental health programming and much more.
“At our health plan, when we say that ‘care is the heart of our work,’ we mean it,” says Viator. “Our team members are passionate about Louisiana and the people whom we are privileged to serve. We know that if we all work together, we can make a real and long-lasting impact on the health and well-being of our state.”
Learn more about AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana and the organization’s community investments by visiting careforla.com.
