BINGHAMTON - UnitedHealthcare and the 4-H Youth Development Program at Cornell University are expanding their partnership to fight hunger and food insecurity by promoting budgeting and nutrition education in underserved communities with the “4-H Food Smart Families” program.

UnitedHealthcare has donated $55,000 to the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, which administers 4-H programs throughout the state, to support the “4-H Food Smart Families” program. 4-H Food Smart Families empowers families with nutrition education, and cooking and food-budgeting skills to bring more affordable, nutritious foods into their households, and connects families with nutrition assistance through SNAP benefits.

The expanded partnership was announced at Roosevelt Elementary School in Binghamton, where more than 30 students led by 4-H-trained Choose Health Action Teens (CHATS), community leaders and UnitedHealthcare mascot Dr. Health E. Hound participated in training sessions to learn more about food – how to secure it, use it and cook it, and make choices that enhance their health and well-being. During the training, 4-H CHATS youth leaders were challenged in the 4-H Food Smart Families Shopping Experience, where they were asked to shop and make choices based on budget, nutrition, price per unit and meal preparation.

“The 4-H and UnitedHealthcare partnership is stronger than ever,” said Nigel Gannon, New York Healthy Living program specialist. “Through the 4-H Food Smart Families program we are working together to provide the tools and resources these families need to help end the cycle of hunger.”

Throughout New York, 4-H Food Smart Families will engage 4-H CHATS to serve as youth ambassadors and mentors to teach their peers, families and communities about how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.