AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s “Food for Health,” an ambitious program to alleviate hunger and food insecurity throughout the United States, has set major expansion goals for the second half of 2026, operating in cities such as Seattle, Chicago, and Houston. The work, unfortunately, is needed now more than ever.
Food for Health first started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 in response to rising food insecurity among families, veterans, and many other Americans. By the end of 2025, the program has grown to serve over half a million people across the country with free weekly groceries.
In the first half of 2026, in addition to managing its successful food distribution programs at 17 sites in four states (California, Florida, Maryland, and New York), Food for Health added Georgia to its roster with an Atlanta partnership.
Food for Health also launched new partnership and home delivery programs in Brooklyn and Queens in New York, and added a Heroes Pantry serving veterans, military members, and their families at Fort Wadsworth, New York, at the southeastern tip of Staten Island. Another Heroes Pantry is in the works to open later this year in Baltimore.
For the last half of 2026, new Food for Health food bank and pantry sites and partnerships are on track for Phoenix, Arizona (community distribution); Chicago, Illinois (three sites); New Orleans, Louisiana (partnership); Detroit, Michigan (partnership); Jackson, Mississippi (food pantry); Las Vegas, Nevada (partnership and pantry); Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee (partnership and pantry); Houston and Fort Worth, Texas (partnership and pantry); Seattle, Washington (partnership); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (pantry).
In addition, Food for Health will serve the public in Ohio, opening small programs serving 150 people at sites in Columbus and Cleveland, where AIDS Healthcare Foundation provides healthcare and other services.
The massive expansion is not surprising: according to Feeding America, approximately 48 million people experience food insecurity in the United States.
Ged Kenslea, Senior Director of Communications at AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has worked on public health issues for 30 years.
