JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Aetna Better Health of Missouri, a CVS Health company, announced Thursday that Aetna has committed $175,000 to support two local organizations working to help families in southern Missouri and the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. The funding will expand access to nutritious foods, strengthen farm sustainability and enhance safety and wellness supports, such as a women’s shelter and diaper bank.
“Food insecurity is one of the most significant barriers to good health, and its impact reaches far beyond hunger,” said Lisa Baird, Chief Executive Officer, Aetna Better Health of Missouri. “By collaborating with trusted community organizations, we can connect Missourians with the resources they need—whether that’s fresh, affordable produce, a safe place to stay or essential items for their children to improve their health and overall well-being. These collaborations reflect our unwavering commitment to improving whole-person health across Missouri.”
Supporting small farmers to expand food access
Donations from Aetna will support Lincoln University of Missouri’s Innovative Small Farmers’ Outreach Program (ISFOP), which focuses on addressing root causes of food insecurity in urban and semi-urban communities. The funding will help beginner and small-scale farmers expand access to fresh, affordable produce where it’s needed in neighborhoods across St. Louis, Kansas City, Joplin, Springfield, Sikeston and Cape Girardeau.
ISFOP will provide farmers with hands-on support, such as farm and business planning, skills training, adoption of sustainable practices, cost-reduction strategies and access to essential services. The initiative aims to deliver 23,000 pounds of fresh produce by July 2026 to families in need.
“Small farmers are critical contributors to community health,” said Dr. Mark Lucas, Director of the Innovative Small Farmers’ Outreach Program, Lincoln University Cooperative Extension. “Aetna’s support helps farmers build sustainable operations while increasing access to nutritious foods for Missouri families.”
Feeding America estimates one in six Missourians faces hunger, underscoring the importance of this work.
Strengthening essential supports in southwest Missouri
Aetna also provided a donation to Crosslines Community Outreach, which serves an average of 80,000 people each year through a wide range of community-based services. The funding will help sustain CCO’s food pantry—the largest in Greene County—its women’s shelter and its diaper bank, which distributed 1.4 million diapers in 2024.
Aetna’s commitment to community health
These investments build on Aetna’s ongoing efforts to address social drivers of health that influence long-term wellness. By collaborating with organizations embedded in the communities they serve, Aetna aims to improve access to healthy foods, safety resources and family supports that promote healthier futures for Missourians.
