GASSAWAY W.Va. (WVDN) – In a significant move to address food insecurity and promote healthier lifestyles, Mountaineer Food Bank has announced the construction of a new production kitchen at its Gassaway warehouse, made possible by a generous $1.5 million grant from Aetna Better Health of West Virginia. The partnership aims to expand access to nutritious food and provide educational resources that will benefit underserved rural communities across the state.
The project officially kicked off with a special event to celebrate the start of construction. The Aetna Better Health of West Virginia Production Kitchen is set to be a vital resource for food education, nutrition, and the preparation of healthy meals. The facility will offer cooking classes, meal prep services, and food safety training, all while focusing on providing fresh, locally sourced produce to the community.
“We are dedicated to fostering change, and this donation demonstrates our sustained efforts to improve access to healthy food and combat food insecurity in West Virginia,” said Todd White, CEO of Aetna Better Health of West Virginia. “Through this partnership, we are not just helping to feed families; we are empowering them to live healthier lives.”
Chad Morrison, CEO of Mountaineer Food Bank, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support of Aetna. “Aetna has been a dedicated partner for several years and we are very thankful to them for joining our mission to end hunger in West Virginia. This gift kicks off an expansion at our Gassaway warehouse that we believe will be vital to providing more food options and opportunities to the 48 counties we serve.”
West Virginia faces one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation, with thousands of families struggling to access nutritious and affordable meals. In many rural areas, the lack of grocery stores and limited transportation options exacerbate the issue, leaving residents with few options for healthy food.
Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV), which served as the fiscal passthrough for the donation and provides healthcare services across eight counties, witnesses the impact of food insecurity firsthand. “Access to healthy food is essential for improving overall community health, especially in our rural areas where options are often limited,” said Trish Collett, CEO of CCWV. “We are proud to support this project, which will provide sustainable solutions for addressing food insecurity and helping families lead healthier lives.”
The new production kitchen is set to open in (YEAR). For more information about Mountaineer Food Bank and how to get involved, visit https://www.mountaineerfoodbank.org.
About Mountaineer Food Bank
Mountaineer Food Bank (MFB), located in Gassaway, WV, is the largest emergency food provider in West Virginia. Annually, MFB distributes more than 19.7 million meals, serving families, children, seniors, veterans, and individuals at risk of hunger throughout 48 counties. We accomplish our mission of feeding West Virginians and empowering communities to end hunger by working with more than 460 community partners — through a variety of programming that meets neighbors where they are — so that together we can move forward beyond hunger. For more information, go to www.mountaineerfoodbank.org
About Aetna Better Health of West Virginia
Aetna Better Health of West Virginia is the sole managed care organization for the state’s Specialized Managed Care for Children and Youth contract (Mountain Health Promise). The statewide contract covers the physical and behavioral health care services for children and youth in the foster care system and individuals receiving adoption assistance, as well as children in the Children with Serious Emotional Disorder (CSED) waiver program. The health plan has administered the CSED waiver program for members in West Virginia since March 1, 2020. Aetna Better Health of West Virginia also serves West Virginia’s Mountain Health Trust program, which supports most Medicaid eligible groups, including Temporary Assistant for Needy Families (TANF), pregnant women, Children’s Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid Expansion population and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Aetna Better Health of West Virginia has held this contract since 1996 and they serve more than 200,000 Medicaid eligible West Virginians. www.aetnabetterhealth/westvirginia
About Community Care of West Virginia
Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in West Virginia serving over 50,000 patients from 30 West Virginia counties with eighteen (18) community health center locations, fifty (50) school-based health sites, eight (8) 340(b) pharmacies, and one (1) dental office. Community Care of West Virginia employs a dynamic team of more than 550 health professionals including MD, DO, FNP, PA-C, adult and adolescent psychiatrists, licensed and master’s level behavioral therapists, RPH, and DDS’s. www.ccwv.org
