Spotlight: “Collaborating to Fight Food Insecurity”

Highmark Wholecare addresses food insecurity and other social determinants of health by partnering with organizations statewide to eliminate barriers and build healthier and stronger communities. This collaboration offers resources for your patients to help improve their overall well-being.

The following excerpt is taken from the Highmark Health Digital Magazine article, “Collaborating to Fight Food Insecurity” by Lauren Lawley Head:

A collaborative approach to addressing social determinants of health

Food insecurity is just one of the social determinants of health that influence well-being and account for as much as 80 to 90% of a person’s health.

Highmark Wholecare was among the first health plans to focus on social determinants, which were often overlooked in traditional health care models.

“We’re building in elements of health that go beyond medicine,” Michael Callaghan, Manager of Operations for Highmark Wholecare Connection Center, points out.

For many Highmark Wholecare members, multiple overlapping social determinants negatively impact their health, including lack of access to quality food, housing, education, employment, and transportation. To address those challenges, Highmark Wholecare works closely with a range of local nonprofits and community-based organizations, treating them as critical components of the health care ecosystem.

One such effort is the Farm-to-Family initiative, a growing statewide model that draws together local farmers, food banks, health care providers and schools to break down barriers to health and wellness. Highmark Wholecare piloted the program in 2024, distributing 84,000 pounds of food to 3,500 families while also providing on-site health screenings and Medicaid support services. Callaghan is planning 25 Farm-to-Family markets and expects to distribute more than 120,000 pounds of food to more than 6,000 families throughout 2025.

A key partner of Highmark Wholecare in southeastern Pennsylvania is Share Food Program, a network of community-based organizations and school districts engaged in food distribution, education and advocacy. With support from Highmark Wholecare and others, Share Food Program distributed more than 30 million meals in 2024, including more than 4,500 nutritious food boxes to homebound seniors each month.

The Highmark Wholecare team also supports smaller, grass-roots efforts. The Growing With Highmark initiative allows Coleman and Castillo to distribute supplies so that seniors can grow fresh herbs in their apartments. Other examples across the state include working with a church to clear some of its property and build the infrastructure for a community garden, supporting community gardens and garden boxes in partnership with East End Cooperative Ministry, and inviting Dress for Success to hold quarterly workforce development events at a Connection Center, coinciding with food distribution.

Highmark Wholecare also helps people connect with the resources they need. For example, in Philadelphia it offers programs to assist older adults with using their mobile devices so they can access a database of food pantries and food distribution sites as well as Highmark’s curated social services resources.

“That small step of helping seniors with their technology is a way to expand how they can deal with food insecurity,” said Marvetta Coleman, senior community engagement specialist for Highmark Wholecare. “It becomes  a gateway to resources.”

Continue reading the full article in the Highmark Health Digital Magazine.