Angela Loberg Champions Youth Nutrition Education and the Mission of the Hunger Task Force Farm

Angela Loberg has spent the past 23 years helping Wisconsinites live healthier lives through her work at UnitedHealthcare. As Executive Director of UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, she leads a dedicated sales and account management team that supports members across the state, not only through coverage in medical, dental, disability and life insurance and active community engagement.

“Our goal is to help people live healthier lives,” Angela says. “And in many cases, food can be medicine.” That belief has driven Angela’s longstanding support for Hunger Task Force programs – especially those focused on youth nutrition education. It’s also what led her and her team to support Hunger Task Force’s Garden to Plate program through volunteerism and cost sharing.

The Garden to Plate program introduces Milwaukee-area students to hands-on nutrition education. As part of this SNAP-Ed initiative, classrooms receive a lesson from Hunger Task Force’s nutrition education team, take a field trip to the Hunger Task Force Farm to learn how healthy food is grown and learn to cook with fresh produce they’ve harvested at The Farm. It’s a powerful model that emphasizes food literacy, healthy eating habits and direct experience with nature, values Angela holds close.

Angela first visited the Hunger Task Force Farm in 2013 and met Matt King, Hunger Task Force CEO, who, at that time, had recently stepped into the role of Farm Manager. “Matt is awesome,” Angela shares. “His passion and commitment to The Farm and seeing his vision come to life was what I wanted to support.” At the time, the idea of a nutrition education kitchen was just taking root. With Angela’s leadership and advocacy, UnitedHealthcare became a signature partner and made a gift to help build the Nutrition Education Kitchen into a central part of The Farm experience.

Since then, Angela has helped expand and deepen UnitedHealthcare’s support. She serves on the organization’s Community Relationships Committee, which reviews hundreds of funding requests each year from across Wisconsin. “That process allows us to reflect on our mission. Supporting Hunger Task Force has always aligned with our values. The fresh, nutritious food grown at The Farm paired with impactful education is a win-win for public health,” she says.

UnitedHealthcare supports key elements of the field trip experience by funding transportation and related costs to make it possible for more schools to visit The Farm. The organization also underwrote the printing of the first Healthy Kids Cookbook. It is a free takeaway that helps children bring their new cooking skills home. “The cookbook is a great tangible tool,” Angela says. “The kids have seen the recipes demonstrated in the kitchen, and now they can recreate them at home with their families.”

Angela is quick to highlight her team’s role in the partnership. “It’s not just me. There are dozens of employees who make this a priority. Some even drive from Green Bay and Wausau to volunteer. Many of us are parents, and we see how valuable these experiences are for kids.”

That connection to youth is personal for Angela, who is a mom to an 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter. “I love kids, and when they come to The Farm, it’s clear they’re yearning for connection,” she says. “They hold your hand, give hugs and are so open to trying new foods. These are experiences their schools or communities may not be able to offer. The Garden to Plate program brings out the best in them.”

Five years ago, Angela joined the Hunger Task Force Executive Council to expand her involvement and represent UnitedHealthcare’s perspective. “It gives me the opportunity to talk about what’s happening at Hunger Task Force and see the bigger picture.”

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that connection sustained her. “Hunger Task Force’s response to the pandemic mentally got me through it,” she says. “Getting out of the house, moving my body and doing something important for my community gave me a sense of purpose.”

Angela continues to be a powerful force behind Hunger Task Force’s work to improve the health of children and families across Wisconsin. She is a true friend of Free & Local. And thanks to her, so is UnitedHealthcare.