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Superior HealthPlan and Centene Foundation Make $400,000 Investment to Help Tackle Food Insecurity in Texas

Date: 11/06/25

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 6, 2025 – Superior HealthPlan and Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), today announced a strategic and timely investment aimed at addressing food insecurity across Texas. This initiative comes as millions of Americans face increasing challenges in accessing nutritious meals due to recent disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity currently affects approximately 47.4 million people nationwide, including 13.8 million children.

The $400,000 investment will help 9 food banks provide access to healthy, nutritious food in communities across Texas. This support is a continuation of Superior HealthPlan’s commitment to helping those most in need and advancing long-term solutions to hunger and nutrition challenges.

“For more than 25 years, Superior HealthPlan has been committed to serving families in Texas, particularly in times of need,” said Superior HealthPlan President and CEO, Mitch Wasden. “Local food banks in communities across the state are doing great work every day. At the same time, we know they may be facing increased demand, so supporting them now is one of the most meaningful ways we can make a difference.”

These food banks will receive funding as part of this initiative:

  1. Central Texas Food Bank, Austin
  2. Coastal Bend Food Bank, Corpus Christi
  3. East Texas Food Bank, Tyler
  4. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, El Paso
  5. Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Pharr
  6. Houston Food Bank, Houston
  7. San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio
  8. South Plains Food Bank, Lubbock
  9.  South Texas Food Bank, Laredo

This investment is part of a $1.5 million commitment from the Centene Foundation to organizations across the country, particularly food banks and other community-based groups that are typically preparing for winter but may already be experiencing critical shortages.

“Families across the country are facing unprecedented challenges as essential nutrition programs experience strain and demand for food assistance continues to rise. Local organizations have been working tirelessly to meet these needs, and this emergency funding will strengthen their efforts — helping ensure that children and families most at risk have access to healthy meals during this critical time,” said Centene’s Chief Health Officer Alice Chen. “Access to nutritious food is foundational to good health, and sustained investment in these programs is essential to improving long-term outcomes for vulnerable communities.”

Centene has long championed the fight against food insecurity. With more than 95% of its Medicaid plans offering food or nutrition intervention programs, which help address the social factors driving 80% of health outcomes, access to nutritious food remains a vital health priority.

In 2024, Centene invested $77.1 million toward food security. Specifically, Centene’s efforts have spanned multiple states, leveraging innovative, community-based partnerships to combat food insecurity and chronic disease – from Fresh Food Pharmacies in Michigan to farmers market produce vouchers in Illinois, grocery support for diabetic members in Nebraska and maternal care food programs (PDF) in Arkansas – reinforcing Centene’s long-standing commitment to food as a critical driver of health.

These investments reflect Centene’s broader mission to transform community health through locally driven solutions, addressing drivers like access to nutritious food and promoting long-term sustainability by integrating food access with healthcare services.