Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Commits $1.15 Million to Expand St. Louis Area Foodbank Mobile Pantry Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Meridian Health Plan of Illinois (NYSE:CNC) will provide a $1.15 million grant over three years to Food On The Move, the St. Louis Area Foodbank's mobile pantry program, to expand healthy food access across Illinois.

The grant will support more than 300 mobile market distributions across Metro East and Southern Illinois and aims to help the program serve an anticipated 60,000 community members by 2028. Meridian will also add health resources and begin select vaccine and screening services with local providers starting in 2026.

Positive

• $1.15M grant committed over three years
• 300+ mobile market distributions supported across Illinois
• Program aims to reach 60,000 people by 2028

Negative

• None.

Insights

Community Health Impact Analyst

Meridian's $1.15 million grant expands a proven mobile pantry to reach more Illinois residents through 2028.

The grant funds a partnership between Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and Food On The Move to support over 300 mobile market distributions across the Metro East and Southern Illinois over three years. The program already reported serving roughly 12,000 individuals in 2024 and nearly 18,700 by May 2025, and the announcement cites an anticipated reach of 60,000 community members through 2028. These are concrete, measurable delivery commitments tied to specific counties and distribution counts.

Key dependencies and risks include sustained operational capacity at the St. Louis Area Foodbank and continued coordination with local partners to meet the targeted distribution frequency. The funding covers a defined three-year window and links to expanded services starting 2026 for vaccinations and screenings at selected events, so program impact depends on execution of those health-service integrations. Watch the stated distribution count (>300 mobile markets), the enrollment and reach metrics (12,000; 18,700; target 60,000), and the 2026 start of health screenings for near-term verification of delivery.

"Food On The Move" aligns with Meridian's Eat Well, Be Well initiative to increase access to healthy food and nutrition awareness to underserved populations, food deserts, and rural areas in Illinois.

CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced it will provide a $1.15 million grant over the next three years to Food On The Move, a mobile food pantry program by the St. Louis Area Foodbank that brings healthy food to underserved populations and food deserts in urban communities and rural areas in Illinois. This partnership will deliver healthy food and essential resources to underserved communities across Illinois, aligning with Meridian's Eat Well, Be Well initiative.

The three-year grant will support more than 300 mobile market distributions throughout the Metro East and Southern Illinois. St Louis Area Food Bank serves 12 counties in Illinois, focusing on low-income areas with limited access to nutritious food.

More than 1.6 million Illinois residents — about one in eight — face food insecurity, according to Feeding America. In St. Clair County alone, an estimated 34,520 people (13.5%) are food insecure. Meridian's Eat Well, Be Well initiative expands access to healthy food and nutrition education statewide by supporting programs like Food On The Move.

"We're committed to improving access to healthy food and to making a difference in people's lives," said Cristal Gary, Meridian Plan President and CEO. "Through this partnership with the St. Louis Area Foodbank, Food On The Move creates a vital pipeline to combat food insecurity and improve health outcomes. Together, we can deliver critical food and health resources directly to those who need them most."

In 2024, Food On The Move provided support to roughly 12,000 individuals across 4,300 households. By May 2025, the program reached nearly 18,700 people in more than 6,500 households. With Meridian's support, the initiative is positioned to serve an anticipated 60,000 community members through 2028.

Recipients say the program provides dignity and stability during challenging times. One mother shared that after a major life change, she struggled to feed her children. But thanks to Food On The Move, she can now provide healthy meals. Another caregiver said the program helped her support a household that grew from eight to thirteen family members. Stories like these underscore the importance of the program's mission to fight food insecurity and strengthen communities across Illinois.

"This program is invaluable because it allows neighbors to maintain dignity while meeting their needs. Anyone in need is welcome — whether seniors, families, individuals, or people with disabilities — and each mobile pantry stop can serve up to 100 families. Having the ability to choose the foods that best fit their household, along with access to essential grocery staples, creates a reliable and respectful resource for the community," said Rachel Jones, St. Louis Area Foodbank Director of Partners and Programs.

Meridian joined Food On The Move events in January 2025, offering health and nutrition resources, engaging additional community partners, and providing hands-on support with food distribution. Starting in 2026, Meridian will partner with trusted local healthcare providers to deliver vaccines and health screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions associated with food insecurity at selected Food On The Move events.

For a full schedule and more information, visit STLfoodbank.org/find-food. To learn more about Meridian's community impact and whole-health approach, visit ILmeridian.com/IL-first.

About Meridian Health Plan of Illinois 
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. and its family of health plans provide government-sponsored managed care to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs. This includes Meridian Medicaid Plan, YouthCare HealthChoice Illinois, Wellcare (Medicare Advantage plans), Wellcare By Meridian (Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid Plans), and Ambetter Marketplace plans. Meridian connects members to care and offers comprehensive services to support lifelong health and wellness. Meridian is a company of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. Learn more at ILmeridian.com.    

About St. Louis Area Foodbank
Everyone deserves access to food and the promise of a healthy diet, which is why the St. Louis Area Foodbank is committed to ensuring access to the foods and resources our neighbors need to thrive. Through our network of partners and programs across 26 counties in Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois we are working to revolutionize the hunger relief system. Food On The Move is a direct service program for individuals living in areas of Illinois and Missouri with limited access to healthy food and resources. Our Food On The Move trailer is outfitted as a mobile pantry, allowing the St. Louis Area Foodbank to take nutritious food directly into neighborhoods. This mobile, choice-based food pantry is designed to increase access to food and decrease food waste by encouraging neighbors to take the foods they like and need.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meridian-health-plan-of-illinois-commits-1-15-million-to-expand-st-louis-area-foodbank-mobile-pantry-program-302630551.html

SOURCE Meridian of Illinois

FAQ

What did Meridian (CNC) announce on December 2, 2025 about Food On The Move?

Meridian announced a $1.15 million grant over three years to support the Food On The Move mobile pantry program in Illinois.

How many mobile pantry distributions will Meridian's grant support for CNC-backed Food On The Move?

The grant will support more than 300 mobile market distributions across Metro East and Southern Illinois.

What is the expected reach of Food On The Move with Meridian (CNC) funding by 2028?

The initiative is positioned to serve an anticipated 60,000 community members by 2028.

Will Meridian (CNC) provide health services at Food On The Move events and when?

Yes. Starting in 2026, Meridian will partner with local healthcare providers to offer vaccines and health screenings at selected events.

How many people did Food On The Move serve before Meridian's grant?

By May 2025, the program had reached nearly 18,700 people in more than 6,500 households.

Where can Illinois residents find the Food On The Move schedule and Meridian community information?

Event schedules are at STLfoodbank.org/find-food and Meridian community details are at ILmeridian.com/IL-first.