ALEXANDRIA, Va. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Meals On Wheels Association of America has announced an exclusive group purchasing partnership with Premier, Inc. (Nasdaq: PINC ), a leading healthcare improvement company. The partnership offers significant savings on the food, supplies and services needed to operate Meals On Wheels programs across the country.
"Premier's mission to improve the health of communities aligns perfectly with our association's efforts to empower local Meals On Wheels programs to improve the health and quality of life for our nation's seniors," said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of the Meals On Wheels Association of America. "This partnership will enable each individual Meals On Wheels program – no matter how small – to harness the buying power of a national organization to expand capacity, cut down on overhead costs and, most importantly, serve more seniors in need."
Premier's group purchasing organization, one of the nation's largest, combines approximately $41 billion in annual purchasing power from its alliance of more than 100,000 organizations. Premier helps its alliance members improve the quality and reduce the costs of the products and services they need, including top-quality items critical to providing healthy meals .
"Our growth story continues to evolve with strategic relationships that extend our reach and add value to the U.S. healthcare system," said Susan DeVore, president and CEO of Premier. "Meals On Wheels is a tremendous cause that is not only helping to end senior hunger, but also keeping seniors healthy, safe and happy."
Premier will ceremoniously kick off the new partnership by joining nearly 400 Meals On Wheels programs from across the country at the 2014 Meals On Wheels Annual Conference and Expo from August 26-28 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Meals On Wheels programs will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions with Premier representatives on how to leverage the new partnership.
"We're excited to begin working with Meals On Wheels to continue and expand their efforts that are so important to communities across the nation," said Michael J. Alkire, chief operating officer, Premier.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Premier, Inc.
Premier, Inc. (Nasdaq: PINC ) is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers to transform healthcare. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, and advisory and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. Premier, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, plays a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, collaborating with members to co-develop long-term innovations that reinvent and improve the way care is delivered to patients nationwide. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier is passionate about transforming American healthcare. Please visit Premier's news and investor sites on http://www.premierinc.com/ ; as well as Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , YouTube , Instagram , Foursquare and Premier's blog for more information about the company.
About Meals On Wheels Association of America
The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the only national organization and network dedicated solely to ending senior hunger in America. The Association is the oldest and largest organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 states and U.S. territories. More than 5,000 local Meals On Wheels Programs leverage a dedicated army of 2 million volunteers who day-in and day-out create an efficient and caring way to help America's seniors stay independent, healthy and able to live in their own homes. For more information, or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit mowaa.org .
Contact:
Jenny Bertolette
Communications Director
571.339.1603
jenny@mowaa.org
Morgan Bridges
Senior Specialist, Public Relations
704.816.4152
morgan_bridges@premierinc.com
