LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Fresh Fridge program provides refrigeration units to community organizations across the state. These groups then store and distribute produce and other healthy food items to those in need. Now Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid, the group sponsoring the program, will invest an additional $25,000 in Fresh Fridge.

What You Need To Know

  • The Fresh Fridge program provides refrigeration units to community organizations across the state

  • These groups then distribute food to those in their communities in need

  • Anthem Medicaid runs the Fresh Fridge program

  • Plans are to expand the program and provide additional funding

According to program organizers, the influx of new funding will pay for larger refrigerators along with increased food storage for each distribution point. That’s welcome news since 12.3% of Kentuckians struggle with food insecurity.

To date, Anthem Medicaid said it has donated $5,000 to Henderson Christian Community Outreach in Henderson, and $5,000 to Water Into Wine Food Pantry in Salyersville. In 2023, Anthem Medicaid also plans to open additional Fresh Fridge locations in some of Kentucky’s most food insecure cities.

The health care company pledged to donate an additional $15,000 to the community-based organizations fighting hunger.

“We are proud to help our neighbors throughout Kentucky access fresh, nutritious food and to ease the burden on families, especially during the holidays and into the new year,” said Leon Lamoreaux, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky. “Food insecurity has significant detrimental effects on health, especially in children, and can leave devastating, long-lasting impacts. The ‘Fresh Fridge’ program reflects our commitment to innovative approaches to support the whole health needs of communities across Kentucky.”

“Our new ‘Fresh Fridge’ opens up a world of possibilities, giving us more flexibility in the donations we can receive and the food we can provide,” said Kathy Patton, Executive Director at Henderson Christian Community Outreach. “Now, we can accept more, store more and distribute more fruits and vegetables to children and families who need it most.”

Jeffery Tackett of Water Into Wine Food Pantry shared Patton’s appreciation and said the new Fresh Fridge in Salyersville will be a game-changer for his organization.

“Storing and distributing perishable food to those in need is a difficult task, but this larger, more reliable refrigeration unit will allow us the opportunity to expand our operations and serve more people here in Magoffin County,” Tackett said.

Since the start of the pandemic, Anthem Medicaid said it has donated over $2.2 million to reduce food insecurity throughout Kentucky.

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