US Foods, MFAN Join Forces to Offset PCS and Food Insecurity Challenges

This story was originally published by US Foods and may be found here.

US Foods, MFAN join forces to address food insecurity disproportionately impacting more than 25 Percent of active duty military families

Company Contributes $250,000 to Support Innovative Pantry Restock and Fresh Funds Stipends Programs, Providing Military Families with Stigma-Free Relief

ROSEMONT, Ill. (July 9, 2024) — US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD), one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, today announced a national partnership with the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) with a $250,000 monetary contribution. The collaboration is part of the company’s “Helping Communities Make It” program, which seeks to empower communities in need through hunger-relief, culinary education and disaster relief.

This is the company’s first national hunger relief partnership supporting military families, a group disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. US Foods selected MFAN based on the nonprofit’s innovative program, the MFANetwork, which connects military families to critical resources, through collaborative, impact-driven and authentic community engagements.

“At US Foods, we are uniquely positioned to harness the power of food to empower communities in need with nourishment and opportunity,” said Dave Flitman, CEO. “As part of a military family, I am particularly proud to expand our efforts to support the military community, which makes immeasurable sacrifices for our freedom. We are honored to partner with an innovative and deeply committed organization like MFAN, and I look forward to our future collaboration.”   

“MFAN’s  latest survey shows that those who moved within the last two years (41.1%) and active-duty families (21.5%) are among those most commonly experiencing food insecurity,” said  Shannon  Razsadin, chief executive officer for Military Family Advisory Network. “Thanks to  generous partners  like US Foods,  we are providing  dignified support through  innovative, scalable, and measurable solutions. These collaborative initiatives show military families that they are not alone and that their service and sacrifice are seen and appreciated—and that truly matters.”  

According to MFAN’s 2023 Military Family Support Programming Survey, more than a quarter of active duty military families (27.7%) have experienced food insecurity and more than half (54.8%) of respondents reported moving within the past two years due to military orders. In support of MFAN’s commitment to providing convenient access points to alleviate military food insecurity, the partnership will support the following programmatic efforts: 

• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Pantry Restock Box: Military families move, on average, every two and a half years, and each move comes with a tangible cost, including restocking the pantry. MFAN will distribute 500 PCS Pantry Restock Boxes per month designed to get families started in their new homes with essential items typically discarded with each move. This is a low-barrier and stigma-free access point that connects families to the support they need at a time when they are vulnerable. Each box includes a QR code that allows military families to learn about their local communities and enables MFAN to learn about their needs.
• Fresh Funds Grocery Support: If a family identifies as food insecure through the USDA Six-Item Short Form Food Security Scale screening from the Pantry Restock Box survey, MFAN will support these families with Instacart® Health Fresh Funds stipends. Families can use the Fresh Funds stipends to purchase nutritious food and other essentials from the local retailer of their choice, including H-E-B, Walmart and more. The Fresh Funds can also be used to cover delivery costs so busy military families spend more time settling into their new communities and less time traveling to the store. 

Additionally, US Foods recently served as a premier ‘Healthy Bodies’ sponsor of MFAN’s Solutions Summit on June 27, where policymakers, military advocates, and corporate partners developed actionable solutions for the military and veteran community. 

US Foods has a long-standing history of supporting associates who have served or are serving our country. The company’s 7-year partnership with The Hire Purpose specifically supports the recruitment of transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. In addition, the company’s “Those Who Serve” Employee Resource Group offers networking and professional development opportunities for veteran colleagues.  

For more information about the company’s other strategic initiatives and its commitment to Helping Communities Make It, visit usfoods.com/community.   

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Matheu
Senior Director of Media Relations
US Foods
773-580-3775
Sara.Matheu@usfoods.com

Derek Doyle
Director of Public Affairs
Military Family Advisory Network
301-676-3882
doyle@mfan.org

About Military Family Advisory Network
The Military Family Advisory Network envisions a world where all military-connected families are empowered to thrive. MFAN’s mission is to understand and amplify the needs of military-connected families and inspire data-informed change. Visit www.mfan.org.

About US Foods
With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With more than 70 broadline locations and approximately 90 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 30,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.