{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-05/emblemhealth-community-food-security-program","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-05/emblemhealth-community-food-security-program.md","title":"EmblemHealth Food Program Distributes 62,000 Bags in First Year","headline":"EmblemHealth Marks First Year of Community Food Security Program With 62,000 Bags Distributed","description":"EmblemHealth distributed more than 62,000 bags of food across 398 events in its first year, as SNAP participation in New York City fell by over 155,300 people.","section":"Business","published_at":"2026-11-05T19:33:14+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-05T19:33:14+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["EmblemHealth distributed more than 62,000 bags of fresh produce and groceries in the first year of its Community Food Security Program.","The program held 398 food security events with 115 food partners and reached 74 zip codes across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.","Hunger Free America reported SNAP participation in New York City dropped by more than 155,300 people between July 2025 and July 2026."],"companies":[{"name":"EmblemHealth","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002xr3/emblemhealth","website":"http://www.emblemhealth.com"},{"name":"The Campaign Against Hunger","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/006bd9f/the-campaign-against-hunger","website":"https://www.tcahnyc.org"},{"name":"New York Common Pantry","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0008gw2/new-york-common-pantry","website":"https://nycommonpantry.org"}],"source":{"publisher":"GlobeNewswire","title":"EmblemHealth Distributes More Than 62,000 Bags of Food as Food Insecurity Continues To Grow Across New York City","url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/05/3396945/0/en/emblemhealth-distributes-more-than-62-000-bags-of-food-as-food-insecurity-continues-to-grow-across-new-york-city.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Business","EmblemHealth","The Campaign Against Hunger","New York Common Pantry"],"body_markdown":"[EmblemHealth](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0002xr3/emblemhealth) distributed more than 62,000 bags of fresh produce and healthy groceries in the first year of its Community Food Security Program, the not-for-profit health insurer announced on November 5, 2026. The company said the program also held 398 food security events with 115 food partners and reached 74 zip codes across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.\n\n## Inside EmblemHealth's First-Year Food Program\n\nEmblemHealth launched the Community Food Security Program in response to growing food insecurity across New York. Many distributions took place at the insurer's Neighborhood Care centers, where New Yorkers could also access preventive care, wellness classes, and connections to community resources. The company's Community Affairs team hosted pop-up food distributions and farmers markets with community-based organizations and local elected officials throughout New York City.\n\n\"We know that reliable access to nutritious food is foundational to better health,\" said Heather Tamborino, EmblemHealth's Chief Financial Officer and executive sponsor of the program. \"But the cost of hunger goes beyond healthcare. It affects an individual's ability to perform at school, succeed at work, or even participate fully in their everyday life.\"\n\nNazneen Rahman, AVP of Neighborhood Care, said food insecurity is increasingly emerging as a need among the communities the insurer serves. \"Our commitment to New York City's working families and the communities we serve means widening our focus to address food, housing, and transportation needs that stand in the way of people accessing healthcare,\" said Chief Executive Officer Karen Ignagni.\n\n## The Need Behind EmblemHealth's Food Push\n\nHunger Free America reported that SNAP participation in New York City dropped by more than 155,300 people between July 2025 and July 2026, and warned that participation could decline further as the full effects of work requirements take hold, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). In October 2026, EmblemHealth food partner City Harvest reported that nearly 26,500 New Yorkers lost SNAP benefits in the first month of new federal work requirements. The company said changes to federal food assistance programs and rising need are placing additional strain on New York City's food assistance network.\n\n## EmblemHealth's Recent Agreements and Disputes\n\nIn September 2026, SOMOS took EmblemHealth to court to force arbitration over an $11.7 million payment dispute, and the companies cut ties, according to Crain's New York Business. Mount Sinai Health System reopened its panels to new patients with EmblemHealth coverage, including Medicaid, Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus, after a cease-and-desist letter, Becker's Hospital Review reported in September 2026. In August 2026, EmblemHealth announced an agreement with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital securing its continued participation across all EmblemHealth insurance products, [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/05/3396945/0/en/emblemhealth-distributes-more-than-62-000-bags-of-food-as-food-insecurity-continues-to-grow-across-new-york-city.html) reported.\n\n## EmblemHealth's November Distribution Plans\n\nThis November, EmblemHealth plans to distribute approximately 8,400 additional bags of fresh produce and groceries to New Yorkers seeking food assistance. The company said food is available at the events while supplies last, with no obligation to enroll, and lists upcoming distributions at [emblemhealth.com/events](http://www.emblemhealth.com).\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}