Walmart grants US$4.35m to fight food insecurity

28 Jul 2020 --- The US-based National Council on Aging (NCOA) will connect 1.15 million eligible older adults to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next two years thanks to a US$4.35 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The funding will broaden access to federal programs fighting food insecurity faced particularly by older adults, including those in rural areas. Food insecurity has always been a global issue, now further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 9.8 million older adults experienced food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to adequate, nutritious food, and those numbers are quickly rising. Research by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities shows that participation in the anti-hunger program SNAP reduces food insecurity overall by 30 percent. Yet, the US Department of Agriculture estimates that only 48 percent of eligible older adults aged 60+ participate.

“Now more than ever, older adults need support accessing the resources that help them put nutritious food on the table,” says Eileen Hyde, Director of Sustainable Food Systems and Food Access for Walmart. “This new grant builds upon the innovative work on benefits access that NCOA has championed for several years.”

During the pandemic, older adults have been turning to NCOA for resources related to SNAP, in terms of food and nutrition as they struggle to access and pay for food while being homebound. In the first week of the pandemic, more than 30,000 individuals downloaded a SNAP application on NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp. This free and confidential screening tool connects eligible older adults to benefits.

NCOA has secured a US$4.35 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to broaden access to federal programs fighting food insecurity faced by 1.15 older adults.“We’ve heard from older adults and our local partners that accessing and paying for food is a critical need now,” says Josh Hodges, NCOA Chief Customer Officer. “Food, on average, is the second-highest household expenditure for people aged over 60 and too often they have to stretch their food budget to make ends meet. That’s where SNAP can help.”

Eating healthy during quarantine
Over the past seven years, with support from the Walmart Foundation, NCOA has helped 3.6 million older adults access their SNAP applications, resulting in 1.14 million enrollments.

The new grant will support both in-person and online SNAP outreach and enrollment. NCOA will fund 40 community-based organizations that provide trusted, in-person benefits counseling in communities across the country. 

The grant will also be used to find and connect eligible older adults to their SNAP applications using the virtual tool BenefitsCheckUp, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Funding will target vulnerable and difficult-to-reach populations, including African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, women, and rural US Americans.

Global organizations are also recommending sticking to a healthy diet despite the trying times. In this spirit, non-profit organization European Food Information Council (EUFIC) shared guidance on how to keep healthy while in isolation. Following general healthy living advice such as eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are the best recommendations for staying healthy during quarantine or self-isolation, EUFIC asserts. 

Several organizations have highlighted the importance of a balanced and varied diet for maintaining a healthy immune system.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is leading wellness demands. The fiber space is seeing an abundance of innovation. Many of its staple trends, such as organic, clean label, gut health, and sugar reduction, are enjoying renewed popularity in light of the pandemic. 

Edited by Elizabeth Green