Hartford Food System Inc

HARTFORD FOOD SYSTEM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KENEY PARK SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT, REQUESTS $146,572.30 IN LFPP FUNDS TO PLAN AN AGGREGATION-BASED COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) SHARE PROGRAM IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. NORTH HARTFORD IS SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-SERVED FOR HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES, PARTICULARLY HIGH- QUALITY PRODUCE. SURVEYS OF RESIDENTS IN LOW-INCOME NORTH HARTFORD INDICATE THAT ACCESS TO BETTER QUALITY FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND MEATS ARE A TOP PRIORITY. PILOT ACTIVITIES DURING THE 2022 AND 2023 SEASONS WILL HELP US WORK THROUGH A DETAILED SET OF PLANNING QUESTIONS AND BASE THE PLAN ON EXPERIENCE RATHER THAN EXPECTATIONS, SETTING THE STAGE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY. WE WILL ENGAGE BOTH FARMERS AND URBAN CUSTOMERS TO BUILD THE PLAN AROUND THEIR NEEDS, RESULTING IN A DETAILED BUSINESS PLAN WITH BREAK-EVEN FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS. THE WORK IS BASED ON A YEAR OF RESEARCH, SOCIAL ENTERPRISE COACHING, PRE-PILOT ACTIVITIES IN 2021, AND CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH TWO ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH NEW FARMERS. THE CSA WILL AGGREGATE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FROM: NEW FARMERS, WHO ARE MOSTLY PEOPLE OF COLOR GROWING IN THE CITY, AND THE CURRENTLY ONLY RELIABLE SOURCE OF SPECIALTY ETHNIC CROPS; 2-3 ESTABLISHED FARMS IN THE SUBURBS; AND RED TOMATO, A RHODE ISLAND-BASED AGGREGATOR OF LOCAL PRODUCE. WE WILL INCLUDE A SNAP BENEFIT OPTION FOR PAYMENT TO INCREASE THE REACH OF THE PROGRAM. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS CSA HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADD ANOTHER HIGH-QUALITY ELEMENT TO THE LOCAL FOOD OPTIONS, INCREASING THE WELL-BEING OF NORTH HARTFORD RESIDENTS.

GROWING CONNECTIONS: ESTABLISHING A FARMERS MARKET COLLABORAIVE IN CONNECTICUT

EVALUATING AND OVERCOMING LOW-INCOME SHOPPERS BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AT URBAN FARMERS MARKETS IN HARTFORD, CT, A HIGH-POVERTY PRIORITY PROJECT

THE 'DECREASING FOOD WASTE AT SENIOR CENTERS' PROJECT WILL CONDUCT A FOOD WASTE AND SOURCE REDUCTION EVALUATION AT FOUR HARTFORD DAY SERVICE SENIOR CENTERS THAT ARE MANAGED BY THE CITY OF HARTFORD'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WHICH SERVE 25,000 MEALS ANNUALLY TO 700 LOW-AND-MODERATE INCOME DIVERSE POPULATIONS IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. THIS PROJECT WILL QUANTIFY THE CURRENT STATE OF FOOD WASTE FOR THE SECTOR, AND DESIGN AND DELIVER TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE FOOD DIVERSION FROM LANDFILLS IN SUPPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S FOOD RECOVERY HIERARCHY. THIS PROJECT WILL SUPPORT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, POLLUTION PREVENTION AND SOURCE REDUCTION APPROACHES IN DAY SENIOR SERVICE CENTERS TO REDUCE WASTE, SAVE ENERGY, AND ACHIEVE COST SAVINGS.