A statewide investment is strengthening food access for families across Louisiana’s most rural and underserved communities.
A $125,000 commitment is supporting four regional food banks to expand critical hunger relief services and improve access to nutritious food in areas where families face some of the greatest barriers to care. The initiative focuses on strengthening food security infrastructure and reaching communities where transportation, poverty, and limited access to healthy food remain persistent challenges.
The investment supports the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, Northshore Food Bank, and Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana—organizations serving communities across every region of the state.
Funding is helping expand a range of essential services, including emergency food assistance, increased food acquisition and distribution, pantry expansion in underserved areas, and mobile food programs designed to reach rural communities.
“This investment goes directly to the heart of what we believe in—addressing the social, economic and environmental factors that influence health,” said Jamie Schlottman, Plan President of Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “These food banks serve the most rural parts of our state, where families face the deepest resource gaps.”
Access to consistent, nutritious food is a foundational component of overall health. Expanding food access not only helps meet immediate needs but also supports long-term health outcomes for families, seniors, and children across Louisiana.
“Access to nutritious food is the foundation of a healthy community, and too many families across rural Louisiana are being forced to go without,” said Yvette Roussel, CEO of Northshore Food Bank. “This investment gives food banks like ours the ability to reach further into underserved communities and provide consistent support.”
Each of the partner organizations brings deep experience in delivering large-scale hunger relief and has a longstanding presence in the communities they serve. Strengthening these local networks helps ensure that support reaches the areas where it is needed most.
“Louisiana Healthcare Connections has worked with each of these food banks for years, and we’ve seen firsthand their effectiveness and dedication,” Schlottman added. “We are proud to stand alongside them in this effort to deliver meaningful support to communities throughout the state.”
Together, these efforts represent a coordinated approach to improving food access and supporting healthier communities across Louisiana.