Approximately 16% of New Mexicans experience food insecurity, including 25% of children, placing the state among those most impacted nationwide.1 For people managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, limited access to nutritious food can make it harder to stay healthy. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico is working to close these gaps alongside community leaders including Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.
Providing community-based nutrition support
Building on a longstanding collaboration to addressing social factors that impact health, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico and Roadrunner Food Bank launched the “Keeping healthy while waiting for assistance” program in November 2025. The initiative provides home-delivered healthy grocery boxes to eligible Medicaid members through UnitedHealthcare’s value-added benefits.
Since the launch, the program is supporting more than 100 members with approximately $39,000 in healthy groceries, delivered on a schedule that reflects individual preferences, whether weekly, biweekly or monthly.
The grocery boxes are designed to support health goals and chronic condition management. Members can choose from low sodium, low sugar, gluten‑free, or general wellness boxes with lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, as well as a ready‑to‑eat option for those without kitchen access Plans are underway to continue to expand the diversity of foods available in 2026.
Integrating food access into care coordination
Food insecurity screening is embedded into UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico’s care coordination and member services processes, allowing care teams to identify nutrition-related needs early and connect members to appropriate support.
Referrals to Roadrunner Food Bank are made through FindHelp, a closed-loop referral technology platform that enables secure information sharing and coordinated follow-up. Through this system, Roadrunner receives insights that help staff better understand a member’s needs before making contact, supporting more informed and compassionate outreach.
In addition to delivering food, Roadrunner staff often help individuals reconnect with other available value-added benefits and community programs, strengthening continuity of care and support.
Demonstrating person-centered impact
The collaboration has already delivered meaningful results for members and families facing complex challenges. A family of four managing multiple health conditions received nearly $2,500 in total food support through the beginning of summer 2026, helping them maintain access to nutritious food during a period of economic hardship.
Home delivery, flexible scheduling and menu choice reduce barriers to access and preserve dignity, particularly for members with transportation challenges or chronic health conditions. By aligning nutrition support with clinical and social needs, the program helps address food insecurity upstream and supports better health outcomes.
Advancing positive health outcomes
This initiative reflects UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico’s impact on community-based solutions and health outcomes, leveraging local relationship and coordination for maximum impact. Through embedded screening, technology-enabled referrals and collaboration with local organizations, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico is helping advance a more responsive and effective Medicaid system. Together, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico and Roadrunner Food Bank are supporting whole-person health across New Mexico.
Learn more about our efforts to improve health outcomes for New Mexico residents by visiting the New Mexico profile page. To learn more about Roadrunner Food Bank’s vision to ensure that every New Mexican has enough to eat and how you can get involved, please visit www.rrfb.org.
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