September 9, 2026
To kick off the month, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Foodlink representatives visited a Curbside Market stop to highlight their longstanding partnership and shared commitment to improving access to healthy food throughout the Rochester region. Over the years, Excellus BCBS has supported many of Foodlink's programs and services, helping strengthen efforts to address food insecurity, improve community health and increase access to nutritious foods for thousands of residents.
One of the most impactful examples of this partnership is Foodlink's Curbside Market, one of the first mobile markets in the country that improves access to healthy food in underserved communities. Operating six days a week, Foodlink's fleet of mobile markets travels to more than 50 neighborhood sites, serving thousands of customers each year. The partnership supports ongoing efforts to expand Foodlink's capacity to meet growing community needs through investments in equipment, technology and infrastructure improvements.
“This multi-year partnership with Foodlink is a significant step forward in our shared mission to tackle food insecurity and help transform the health and well-being of our communities,” said Megan Bunce, community investments and partnerships manager at Excellus BCBS. “Together we’re also expanding access to nutritious foods, empowering families with education for healthier eating, and creating lasting opportunities for communities that have historically been underserved.”
Throughout Foodlink's 10-county service area, food insecurity remains a significant challenge for more than 155,000 local residents, many of whom are forced to make tough choices about basic needs due to the high cost of food. In addition, thousands of local residents lost critical food assistance due to changes in eligibility and work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Foodlink and Excellus BCBS officials gathered at Lake Tower Apartments in Rochester to help promote the Curbside Market. In the surrounding community — the 14608 zip code — more than 27% of residents experience food insecurity, which is double the regional average. The Curbside Market provides local residents with a a convenient, affordable place to shop on a weekly basis.
"Foodlink's Curbside Market helps local residents stretch their dollars," said Florence Clemmons, director of community-based strategies for Foodlink. "We're grateful to continue our partnership with Excellus BCBS as our neighbors grapple with a high cost of food and gas, which ultimately impacts the food on their plate and the overall health of our community."
Foodlink is grateful for partners like Excellus BCBS whose continued investment helps advance the organization's mission to leverage the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities. Together, the organizations are working to ensure that every resident has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Foodlink is a Rochester-based nonprofit and public health organization dedicated to ending hunger and building healthier communities by addressing both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. We serve as the hub of the emergency food system across a 10-county service area while administering many programs and initiatives that support and invest in our communities.
We provide food assistance through the safe storage and distribution of emergency food to our network of food bank members and community partners. We build healthier communities through innovative programs that create new access points to nutritious foods and empower people to make healthy choices. We drive change through bold career empowerment initiatives and advocacy for a more just, equitable food system.
Learn more about how we are transforming lives and creating healthy futures for every community we serve at www.FoodlinkNY.org, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram at @foodlinkny.
Contact:
Lynn Wesley Burton
Lynn.Wesley@excellus.com
5854692995
