Mars awards $2 million grant to expand health care access for cocoa-farming families
Mars, Incorporated has awarded a $2.07 million grant to Elucid, a social enterprise focused on improving health care access in agricultural communities, to help cocoa-farming families in Côte d’Ivoire obtain affordable medical services.
The funding, awarded through the Mars Impact Fund, will support Elucid Santé Côte d’Ivoire, the organization’s local implementation entity, in expanding health care access and improving the physical and economic well-being of farming communities.
The grant will fund the Better Lives, Outcome and Opportunities through Medical Access (BLOOM) program, a three-year initiative running from 2026 through 2029 that aims to help up to 12,750 households access national health insurance.
According to Mars, the program is designed to remove upfront costs and administrative barriers that can prevent farming families from obtaining medical coverage and receiving necessary health care.
The initiative is part of the company’s broader efforts to strengthen communities involved in its cocoa supply chain by helping families manage health-related financial challenges and protect their livelihoods.
“This partnership reflects a growing recognition that farmer health is fundamental to sustainable sourcing,” said Amos Kouassi, Country Director, Côte d’Ivoire at Elucid. “By embedding healthcare into agricultural supply chains, we can reduce vulnerability to health shocks, strengthen household resilience, and generate measurable outcomes that benefit farming families, businesses and public health systems alike.”
Additional funding to support rural health facilities
In addition to the Mars Impact Fund grant, the initiative is expected to receive approximately $2 million in matching funds from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to strengthen rural health infrastructure and expand vaccination coverage.
The additional funding is planned to support improvements to rural health facilities throughout Côte d’Ivoire, increasing access to vaccination campaigns, mobile clinics and preventive medical services.
According to Mars, the combined efforts are expected to expand health care access for more than 200,000 people, including approximately 150,000 children.
The program will focus on improving the availability and affordability of medical services in cocoa-growing communities, where health-related expenses can create financial challenges for farming households.
Mars said the investment reflects the importance of supporting the health and economic stability of communities that produce cocoa used in many of the company’s confectionery products.
“At Mars, we know that the resilience of the cocoa supply chain depends on the health and wellbeing of the people and communities where cocoa is sourced,” said Michelle Grogg, Executive Director of the Mars Impact Fund. “Through our partnership with Elucid, we aim to improve access to quality health services, helping cocoa-growing communities get the care they need while avoiding additional financial shocks.”
Supporting cocoa-growing communities
The Mars Impact Fund focuses on strengthening communities connected to the company’s global supply chains, including efforts to improve access to essential services and help agricultural households withstand economic challenges.
Through its partnership with Elucid, Mars aims to integrate health care support into agricultural supply chains while reducing the financial burden associated with medical treatment.
The BLOOM program will focus on expanding national health insurance enrollment, improving access to preventive care and strengthening health services in rural areas.
Mars said the initiative is intended to help cocoa-farming families maintain their health and financial stability while supporting the long-term resilience of the communities involved in cocoa production.
