Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Partners with Farmers Markets to Combat Food Insecurity
Rhea-AI Summary
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, a Centene (NYSE: CNC) company, has announced a partnership with farmers markets across central and southern Illinois to combat food insecurity in 2025. The initiative offers vouchers for fresh produce purchases, with Meridian members receiving $15 in vouchers and non-members receiving $10 per market visit.
The program includes a SNAP/Link benefit doubling feature, where $25 in SNAP benefits converts to $50 for fresh produce purchases. Building on their successful 2024 pilot at Carbondale, which distributed 540 vouchers worth over $3,750 to 321 attendees, the program will expand to multiple locations including Carbondale, Champaign, Murphysboro, Marion, Anna-Jonesboro, and East St. Louis between May and September 2025.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – CNC
In the trading session that priced this news, CNC gained 0.85%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Initiative to Increase Access to Fresh Produce in Central and
Through this initiative, Meridian will help increase access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables by offering vouchers individuals can use to purchase healthy food at the farmers markets along with health education materials. Meridian members who present their member ID card will receive
In addition, the participating farmers markets will double the value of SNAP/Link (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) purchases under the Link Match program, which means
The farmers markets participating in this program include:
- May 17, 2025 – Farmers Market of
Carbondale - June 17, 2025 – The Land Connection Champaign Farmers Market
- June 24, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market –
Murphysboro - June 25, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market – Marion
- June 26, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market –
Anna -Jonesboro - July 31, 2025 – East St. Louis F.R.E.S.H. Farmers Market
- August 16, 2025 – Farmers Market of
Carbondale - August 28, 2025 – East St. Louis F.R.E.S.H. Farmers Market
- September 3, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market – Marion
- September 18, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market –
Anna -Jonesboro - September 23, 2025 – Food Works Mobile Market –
Murphysboro
Fighting Hunger, Fostering Health: Meridian at the Market Program
This program builds on the success of Meridian's previous involvement with the Farmers Market of
"Meridian is deeply committed to the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve, and that starts with how we fuel our bodies," said Rutu Ezhuthachan, MD, Meridian Chief Medical Officer. "At Meridian we believe food is medicine. Providing our members with access to farmers markets with fresh fruits and vegetables will help our members to be healthy and happy. We recognize that access to nutritious food is a fundamental component of good health, and we are proud to partner with these local farmers markets to make fresh, affordable produce more accessible in areas where it is needed most."
Each participating farmers market will offer a unique experience for attendees and will support local farmers. Details on specific activities, such as recipe cards at the Mobile Market, food samples in
Meridian will conduct outreach to encourage its members and share details via its social channels and events page for the community to take advantage of this opportunity to access healthy food options.
For additional dates and locations including those to be announced soon visit ILmeridian.com/events.
About Meridian Health Plan of
Meridian Health Plan of
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meridian-health-plan-of-illinois-partners-with-farmers-markets-to-combat-food-insecurity-302455322.html
SOURCE Meridian of