14 Resources to Help Keep You Full and Healthy

Your primary care provider (or PCP for short)  may give you ongoing assessments for food insecurity. They may ask questions about whether you worry about running out of food before getting money to buy more or if the food you bought didn’t last until you had money to buy more. If your PCP hasn’t yet asked you, don’t be afraid to speak up and let them know if you sometimes or often struggle to get food. They may be able to  help connect you to local resources because good nutrition is integral to your health.

You may be eligible for  Food Stamps, now known as  the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which  is a federal program that provides nutrition benefits to supplement food budgets. Eligible individuals receive an electronic benefits card to use like a debit card. In 2019, the average person on SNAP received about $130 per month to spend on nutritious, low-cost foods. Last year, SNAP served 38 million Americans. Many retailers, including Kroger, have recently made online ordering for SNAP users easier and safer.  Eligibility and application process may vary by state.

You may qualify for the federal Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, which provides access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs while supporting area agriculture and entrepreneurship. The program supports farmers, farmer’s markets, farmer’s stands and community-supported agriculture. In 2018, the program provided more than $20 million to nearly 840,000 people through an average seasonal benefit of $32. Currently this program operates with 52 State agencies, U.S. Territories, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations, eligibility may vary by state.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides a monthly, nutritious package of 100 percent domestic foods. An average of 676,000 Americans participate in the federal program each month; each package supplies an average $50 retail value worth of food. This program is authorized to operate in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Local agencies determine the eligibility of applicants, distribute the foods, and provide nutrition education.

The federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, a safety-net program, supplies emergency food at no cost. All foods are 100 percent American-grown and can include fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, dairy, meats and whole grains, among others. In fiscal year 2020, Congress appropriated $317.5 million to the program for food purchases alone. Public or private nonprofit organizations that provide nutrition assistance receive food as well as households that meet State eligibility criteria may receive food for home use.

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 member food banks across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It donates 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the country. To find a participating food bank in your community, search by ZIP code or state. Humana collaborates with Feeding America through donations and volunteerism.

Since 1954, Meals on Wheels has supported more than 5,000 community-based programs across the U.S. to deliver 220 million nutritious meals and provide wellness and safety checks for nearly 2.4 million seniors. Find a program closest to you with their ZIP code search.

If you’re a Humana member struggling to get enough food, you might qualify for Humana’s Basic Needs Benefit, which provides kits for 14 nutritionally balanced meals to eligible members. Meals typically arrive within seven to 10 days. Based on your nutritional needs and food storage, meals are either prepared and ready to heat and eat or are shelf stable for longer pantry storage. Requests are limited to one per member in order to serve as many people as possible. You can call Humana Customer Care at 1-800-457-4708 (TTY: 711), Monday–Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., to see if you’re eligible.

Some Humana plans include the  Healthy Foods Card benefit available in select markets, which gives members on eligible plans $25 or $50 each month to use for groceries on all types of nutritious foods including fresh dairy, lean protein, fruits, vegetables and more. With access to more than 50,000 retailers nationwide and a smart app that shows available balances and helps identify approved foods, the Healthy Foods Card helps more members get the food they need for healthier lifestyles.

Humana’s Well Dine benefit on select Medicare plans (including those in qualified chronic-condition special needs plans) provides fully prepared, nutritious meals to Humana members for 5-10 days after inpatient hospital or skilled nursing-facility stays. Meals can stay refrigerated and can be heated when ready to eat to make transitioning back home easier.

According to Feeding America, 20 percent of its households served include a Veteran or active military member. Because of this, Feeding America, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Humana teamed up to create Uniting to Combat Hunger (UTCH), a program dedicated to raising awareness about Veteran food insecurity. UTCH works with local Veteran Affairs facilities and food banks to help Veterans in need.

In 2015, Humana set out to improve community health by addressing issues like food insecurity through its Bold Goal initiative. As part of the Bold Goal, Humana created zoom in^TM, a tool that enables users to find resources for food insecurity like emergency food pantries and home-delivered meals in local communities across the nation. Just enter an address and you’ll be able to see food-insecurity factors like the prevalence of food deserts or poverty.

Local places of worship like churches, temples and mosques often serve as community hubs and places of hope. In their effort to serve their communities, many places of worship also run food pantries. These religious entities often see helping the community as part of their mission. Don’t be afraid to call your neighborhood parish to see if they can help.

Many local communities and senior centers offer low-cost or free meals, especially lunches. Some centers now offer home delivery or curbside pick-up as well as a combination of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable options. Some hotels and restaurants have partnered with nonprofits and government agencies to provide ready-to-eat meals to individuals  in need. Find out what your local centers and businesses offer.