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Highmark Grant Supports Inclusive Meal Training Program

Aug 22, 2025

Thanks to a $225,000 grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, through the Highmark Bright Blue Futures, People Inc. will begin construction on a training kitchen to teach new employees about preparing safe and healthy meals for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

check presentation, two People Inc. staff and Highmakr employee, $225,000 Highmark Blue Fund check

Jessica Cox (left), president, Highmark Western and Northeastern New York, presented People Inc.'s Anne McCaffrey (center), president and CEO, and Erica Sammarco (right), senior vice president, Advancement & director, People Inc. Foundation, with a $225,000 check for the new Meals Matter initiative.

The new hands-on training program, Meals Matter, will be introduced during employee orientation to increase nutritional knowledge and highlight best cooking practices for people with disabilities.  

The agency’s Learning & Development team will develop the curriculum with an interdisciplinary group of health and human services professionals comprised of a dietitian, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, behavioral health clinician, residential supervisors, and expert trainers from People Inc. 

 “We are so grateful to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for this critical investment in the Meals Matter program, which will impact the health and safety of people who participate in our programs and live in our residences,” said Anne McCaffrey, People Inc. president and CEO. “Every day, direct support professionals prepare meals for and/or alongside people with disabilities. This new program will help develop their skills in the kitchen and ensure an inclusive environment where everyone has access to safe, nutritious meals.”

In addition to curriculum development, the grant funds capital project renovations to People Inc.’s Center for Learning & Development, Human Resources and Advocacy, located at 2128 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. The renovations include a state-of-the-art kitchen-training lab that will act as the hands-on training space for the program. The kitchen will feature updated appliances and four accessible training stations that will emulate working conditions in some of the agency’s sites.

Trainings in the Meals Matter program will also focus on choking prevention, which is identified as an increased risk among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  

Construction for the project is expected to begin in November 2025. Approximately 800 new employees are anticipated to benefit from the new training program each year.

People Inc. was one of several local organizations selected for a Highmark Bright Blue Futures grant in 2025, highlighting Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's significant investment to organizations and initiatives in Western New York and Capital Regions that make a positive impact on key health areas.