Business
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Partners with Farmers Markets to Combat Food Insecurity
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), announced today their ongoing health equity efforts to partner with farmers markets in communities with high food insecurity across central and southern Illinois throughout 2025. Meridian is a provider of government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs and a Centene company (NYSE: CNC).
About this update from Centene Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"Initiative to Increase Access to Fresh Produce in Central and Southern Illinois","length":79,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"CHICAGO, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Inc. (Meridian), announced today their ongoing health equity efforts to partner with farmers markets in communities with high food insecurity across central and southern Illinois throughout 2025. Meridian is a provider of government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs and a Centene company (NYSE: CNC).","length":461,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Meridian (PRNewsfoto/Meridian of Illinois)","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Meridian (PRNewsfoto/Meridian of Illinois)","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":160,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/5fe83d3c2b8cfc029ffbf507f64fa562"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GruE.AJjK2aWr4Lj_9RS1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTI4MjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/5fe83d3c2b8cfc029ffbf507f64fa562","width":400,"height":160}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564062/Meridian_Logo.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"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 $15 in vouchers for use during market visits throughout the 2025 season. Non-Meridian members visiting the Meridian booth will receive $10 in vouchers to encourage healthy eating, while voucher supplies last.","length":502,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"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 $25 in SNAP benefits would become $50 in fresh fruits and vegetables for recipients.","length":262,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The farmers markets participating in this program include:","length":58,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"list","items":[{"val":[{"type":"text","content":"May 17, 2025 – Farmers...