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Business Wire
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
US Foods Increases Investment in Hunger Relief, Culinary Education and Disaster Relief Efforts by More Than 5-Fold Over the Last 2 Years
ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD), one of America's largest foodservice distributors, today announced an increased strategic investment by more than 5-fold over the last 2 years in support of the company's 2025 'Helping Communities Make It' programming. As communities face high rates of food insecurity, educational and job-training hardships, and the immediate and long-term consequences of natural disasters, this increased investment will enable new and expanded programming across the company's three strategic community giving pillars: hunger relief, culinary education and disaster relief. US Foods associates will continue their integral role in supporting the program through year-round volunteer events. 'We are proud to support the continued expansion of our 'Helping Communities Make It' programming aimed at harnessing the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity,' said Dave Flitman, CEO of US Foods. Share 'We are proud to support the continued expansion of our 'Helping Communities Make It' programming aimed at harnessing the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity,' said Dave Flitman, CEO of US Foods. 'As our roster of innovative community partnerships and initiatives continues to grow, we know we can make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We are honored to expand these important efforts and look forward to an impactful year of engaging community work.' The company now leverages nearly $4 million in support for the 'Helping Communities Make It' programming, aligned with its three strategic giving pillars: Hunger Relief: Eliminating hunger in the communities we serve New to the company's 2025 partner lineup is Rethink Food, a nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between restaurants with excess food and communities facing food insecurity. Rethink Food partners with local restaurants to purchase dignified meals made with surplus ingredients from restaurants that are then delivered to surrounding food-insecure communities. Since its launch in 2017, Rethink Food has directed more than $138 million in purchased meals to local restaurants, converted more than 2.7 million pounds of excess food into meals and distributed more than 30 million meals to food insecure communities across its Miami and New York networks. US Foods will be the exclusive flagship sponsor to bring Rethink Foods' innovative meal-making program to the Chicago area, home of US Foods' headquarters. The company will also broaden its support of military families—a group disproportionately impacted by food insecurity—with legacy partner, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN). US Foods will further expand MFAN's Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Pantry Restock Box and Fresh Funds programs, which provide military families with groceries and economic resources during moves from base to base – when they are most vulnerable to food insecurity. Enhanced financial support will help MFAN optimize these programs for Texas military families stationed at Ft. Cavazos and support expanded programming in 2025 to Ft. Bliss, reaching more than 2,600 military families in 2025. Amid rising food costs, more than 47 million people, including nearly 14 million children, face hunger in the United States 1. This year, US Foods will continue to pursue innovative hunger-relief programming with its long-standing partner, Feeding America, providing direct support to its MealConnect ® program. MealConnect ® is a mobile application that helps donors, partner agencies, and food banks coordinate efforts by connecting ready-to-donate food with Feeding America's network of local non-profits in need. Since its launch in 2015, MealConnect ® has rescued more than 7 billion pounds of food. Culinary Education: Empowering the next generation of culinary talent The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be, on average, more than 24,000 openings for chefs and head cooks each year between 2023-2033 2, outpacing the average for all occupations. To help foster the industry's future workforce, US Foods will continue its signature scholarship program, US Foods Scholars. Since 2017, more than $2 million in scholarships has been provided to nearly 100 students pursuing degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training, and hospitality management. The company plans to award 18 scholarships in 2025 totaling $360,000. Disaster Relief: Enabling communities to recover faster New in 2025 is the US Foods 'You Matter Fund', a company-funded associate assistance fund. The 'You Matter Fund' provides individual grants to qualified US Foods associates to enable faster recovery from consequential financial hardships and emergencies. In 2024, the country experienced 24 billion-dollar disasters that impacted tens of thousands of Americans. To help address this growing need, US Foods will continue to support the American Red Cross as a formal Red Cross Disaster Responder Program member, providing critical resources to help quickly mobilize before disaster strikes and offering year-round relief support. Associate Engagement This year, US Foods is launching its first-ever 'Dollars for Doers' program which rewards associate volunteer time with charitable funds that the associate can then donate to a charity of their choice. The company will also continue its associate engagement opportunities with three major company-wide giving events: Spring into Service, Hunger Action Month and 'Giving Gratitude' holiday drive. For more information about the company's commitment to Helping Communities Make It, visit About US Foods With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America's great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 customer locations and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With more than 70 broadline locations and more than 90 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 30,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit to learn more.
Associated Press
04-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Food Health Collective Partners with Instacart to Revolutionize Food Is Medicine Programs
/ -- Food Health Collective (FHC), a leader in the Food Is Medicine movement, is proud to announce a new partnership with Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America. This innovative collaboration empowers participants across the country to access a Registered Dietitian-curated grocery shopping experience designed to improve health outcomes and promote autonomy, choice, and dignity. Through this partnership, FHC participants working with Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) will receive a monthly grocery stipend through Instacart Health Fresh Funds to spend at grocers available on Instacart over three months. The stipend can be used on approved, nutrient-dense food items that support chronic condition management and overall wellness, including fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, yogurt, nuts, seeds and nut butters, and dry beans. Participants can seamlessly shop for these items within the Instacart app, allowing them to select their preferred local retailer and shop for foods that align with their preferences and needs while adhering to their personalized health plans. The program supports individuals facing significant nutrition-related challenges. Among participants receiving this service: • 89% face food insecurity • 20% suffer from malnutrition • 55% have 2+ chronic conditions that can be improved with diet • 20% have English as a second language • 32% reside in historically underserved neighborhoods • 29% were under the age of 40, 46% between 40-59, and 25% were 60 or older Among health plan members who were eligible but unresponsive to outreach efforts, the addition of Fresh Funds boosted program participation and engagement by 20%. 'Partnering with Instacart enables Food Health Collective to take another transformative step in advancing Food Is Medicine programs,' said Maya Rams Murthy, MPH, RDN, CEO of Food Health Collective. 'This collaboration allows us to provide participants with greater access to nutritious foods while maintaining the dignity and autonomy that are central to our mission. Together, we're equipping individuals with the tools they need to reduce chronic conditions and achieve lasting health improvements.' 'Access to nutritious food and expert dietary guidance is key to building healthier communities. Our technology, selection and nationwide reach enable organizations like Food Health Collective to integrate accessible nutritious food into healthcare,' said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President and General Manager of Health at Instacart. 'Our tools empower individuals to act on FHC's Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' advice, making it simple to have medically tailored groceries from trusted local retailers delivered directly to their doors.' The Fresh Funds program also integrates directly with Food Health Collective's app (Food Health Rx) where participants can access recipes and culinary educational tools curated by their RDNs. These resources empower participants to make informed dietary choices, enhance their cooking skills, and sustain healthy eating habits long-term. The program is currently available to members of select health insurance plans partnering with FHC, with plans for future expansion. By combining Food Health Collective's evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy with Instacart's intuitive online grocery shopping and facilitated delivery, this partnership sets a new standard for leveraging food as a cornerstone of healthcare. About Food Health Collective Founded in 2021 by Krista Yoder, MPH, RDN, PMP, PBA, FAND and Maya Rams Murthy, RD, MPH, Food Health Collective is the leader in the Food Is Medicine movement, providing comprehensive nutrition solutions that integrate Medical Nutrition Therapy, culturally relevant food delivery, and a personalized digital platform. The Founders saw a gap in the healthcare system through many years of experience and noticed healthcare wasn't utilizing the most cost-effective solution to improve health: nutritious food. They also noticed that many approaches failed to involve Registered Dietitians, the true experts in food and nutritional health. With a focus on improving the lives of individuals managing chronic conditions, FHC partners with health plans to provide cost-effective, nutrition-focused interventions that improve outcomes, reduce hospitalizations and promote long-term wellness. For more information, visit About Instacart Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 85,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit and to start shopping, visit Maplebear Inc. is the registered corporate name of Instacart. Maya Rams Murthy Legal Disclaimer:
