Welcome to Relocalizing Health. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, where an organization fighting hunger is revolutionizing health benefits for its employees. Join Dave Chase as he sits down with Amy Lein, Chief Human Resource Officer at Second Harvest, to uncover how this nonprofit broke away from the broken health insurance model, creating one of the nation's highest-quality, most accessible benefit plans.
Learn how every employee at Second Harvest pays zero in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, translating into real quality of care and tangible support like paid leave and grocery assistance. Hear firsthand stories of transformation as employees, for the first time, can actually afford and access the care they need. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, city managers, and anyone who has ever looked at a health insurance renewal and thought, “We can’t afford anything better.” As Dave and Amy reveal, a better way is not only possible, it’s already here.
Timestamps:
00:00 Making healthcare affordable for employees
05:41 Improving employee healthcare access
09:14 The concierge nurse navigator
10:01 Affordable access to top doctors
14:32 How the gift card program works
19:35 Offering paid parental leave
22:37 Having access to quality healthcare
26:07 Rising healthcare costs and solutions
30:02 Vision for what's next
30:43 Creating a great workplace culture
34:38 Wrapping up with final advice
Transforming Nonprofit Employee Benefits: Insights from Second Harvest Food Bank
Rethinking the Benefits Landscape for Nonprofits
Nonprofit organizations are often caught in the cycle of providing thin employee benefits due to budget constraints, high premiums, and rising deductibles. The latest episode of Relocalizing Health offers an inspiring lesson from Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, where Chief Human Resource Officer Amy Lein and Dave Chase unpack how innovative changes to their employee health care transformed lives and strengthened the organization.
Fair and Affordable Health Plans for All
Traditionally, nonprofit employees were provided with standard benefits plans from major health insurance carriers. As Amy Lein explained, these plans required employees to absorb either high co-pays or deductibles, often making healthcare feel out of reach. In seeking a better solution, Second Harvest moved to a custom-built health plan that now covers 180 staff members.
What sets their approach apart is its focus on affordability and accessibility. Employees at Second Harvest pay zero in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, a change that Dave Chase described as a “direct wage increase for every person on the staff”.
The Power of Direct Primary Care and Concierge Navigation
A cornerstone of Second Harvest’s success is the integration of Direct Primary Care (DPC) into its benefits package. DPC allows employees to establish genuine relationships with primary care physicians who take the time to understand their comprehensive health needs. As Amy Lein described, this model shifts the focus from rushed appointments to 30–60 minute conversations that address the whole person.
Alongside DPC, Second Harvest utilizes a Concierge Nurse Navigator who provides personalized support for members navigating medical appointments and treatments. Amy Lein shared personal stories of how the nurse navigator, affectionately known as Katie, helped employees receive guidance on finding the best doctors, accessing specialty care, and understanding medical bills. This proactive approach leads to both better health outcomes and lower costs for the organization.
More than Health Benefits: Grocery Support and Paid Leave
The impact of a caring benefits program doesn’t stop at health insurance. With the money saved from their revamped health plan, Second Harvest launched a confidential monthly grocery card program. As Amy Lein detailed, employees facing food insecurity can pick up cards for local grocery stores, removing stigma and offering real support. The organization ensures dignity and privacy in how employees access help and covers the taxes associated with these cards, making the process seamless.
Furthermore, Second Harvest introduced six weeks of paid maternity and paternity leave for parents, something staff had specifically requested in surveys. As Amy Lein said, both mothers and fathers now have time to bond with their children without financial worry.
Stories of Transformation and Impact
Perhaps most moving are the stories shared by Amy Lein of employees whose lives have been dramatically improved because they could finally afford and access competent care. From a team member who struggled for years with untreated health problems to another who received three months of life-changing IV therapy for free, these stories illustrate what’s possible when organizations prioritize people over profit.
Leadership, Vision, and a Challenge to Nonprofit Executives
Sharing her journey wasn’t about boasting but encouraging other nonprofit leaders to ask: Is there a better way? Amy Lein urges her peers to explore innovative options such as direct primary care and nurse navigation, and not to settle for the status quo. As Dave Chase emphasized, the tools now exist, and organizations of all sizes can begin making changes that benefit both their teams and their missions.
If you are a nonprofit leader, city manager, or benefits advisor, the Second Harvest story is proof that providing meaningful benefits without breaking the bank is not just a dream. It’s happening now, and it’s changing lives. For more, tune in to the Relocalizing Health podcast episode with Amy Lein and Dave Chase.
Learn More:
RosettaFest 2025 - https://rosettafest.org/
Health Rosetta - http://healthrosetta.org/
Nautilus - https://www.nautilushealth.org/
Kynexions - https://kynexions.com/
Dave Chase - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasedave/
Podcast Website - https://relocalizinghealth.com/