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CT Family Economic Security Conference
October 19th
Hartford Marriott Downtown
Prospering Communities, Thriving Families
"Building Foundations for a New Prosperity"
more info
Sponsors:
CAFCA, CAHS, CWEALF/CWCT, CT Council of Family Service Agencies, CT Voices for Children, End Hunger CT!, LARCC/CABHN |
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State Budget passes on Monday
The General Assembly passed a state budget on Monday, August 31st.
Below is a quick up-date on how the legislation affects food policy in Connecticut.
While, it is our understanding that the Healthy Food Certification - see story below - took a cut in funding, it is not as harsh as the Governor had proposed (50%) and less than the original Democratic proposal of 25%. We are still trying to sort it all out, but the news is better on that front!
Funding for the state's two food banks, Foodshare and Connecticut Food Bank which assures that there is adequate protein foods available for the state's food pantries soup and kitchens was cut over $100,000 from previous funding. While the rationale for the cuts is that economic stimulus funds will reduce the need for state funding, the cut hurts as the need for food has grown significantly during the last year. We will continue to be vigilant in the future to increase funding in this area. The Nutrition Assistance line for the biennial budget is $397,663 per year.
Additionally, funding for Farmer's Market Coupons for seniors and WIC participants was flat funded. This is an important and well used program.
Sadly, at the last moment there were amendments added to the original legislation that would have funded the Manchester Area Conference of Churches Food Pantry $75,000 per year and funded the Connecticut Food Policy Council for $25,000 per year. The Governor used her power to line-item veto these program funds.
Governor Rell: Budget Will Become Law Without Her Signature - and Without Pork-Barrel Spending |
"Penny Wise and Pound Foolish" at the Expense of Children's Health
On Monday, August 24th, Senate Majority Leader, Martin Looney , Senator Toni Harp and Senator Ed Meyer joined End Hunger Connecticut! in a press conference in response to Governor Rell's budget recommendations to cut funding for healthy foods in schools. Connecticut's optional, yet widely popular, Healthy Food Certification Program would be reduced by 50%, meaning school districts would now receive 5 cents instead of 10 cents for each healthy meal served. As pointed out at the press conference, this cut will be devastating to the program and the kids it serves.
114 school districts in CT have certified as "healthy" and follow stricter nutrition guidelines for ALL foods served on school campus. In exchange, they receive additional state funds (10 cents) to supplement the federal funds supporting the program.
List of 2008-2009 certified districts
To put it in terms we can all understand: South Windsor would lose about $20,000 with a 50% loss of funds. That is about 80,000 portions of fresh fruit or vegetables. A larger district like Hartford would loose about $175,000 or 800,000 portions of fresh fruits or vegetables.
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Speakers in opposition to the 50% program cuts included:
Senator Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader,
Senator Tini Harp,Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee,
Senator Edward Meyer,
Lucy Nolan, Executive Director of End Hunger Connecticut!;
Tim Cipriano, Executive Director of Food Services, New Haven Public Schools;
Mary Ann Lopez, Co-President of the School Nutrition Association of CT (SNACT); and
Sally Boske, Executive Director of the Connecticut PTA
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Very Important Back to School Information
Schools send a lot of information to parents at the beginning of the school year, including the form for participation in school meal programs like school lunch and breakfast. School Meal Applications determine whether students are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. They are also used for other purposes and programs that bring funding into a school district, such as Title 1 funding and school eligibility status for afterschool snacks and summer food.
How to obtain service:
Ask at school to see if the school offers the program (most do) and if so, obtain an application from the school. Families enrolled in SNAP/Food Stamps or TFA are automatically eligible for FREE school meals. New applications can be filled out any time there is a change in family income.
You should know:
! With the new expanded SNAP/Food Stamp eligibility guidelines families receiving reduced-price schools meals will be eligible for SNAP and should consider applying for SNAP.
! The USDA has translated forms into 25+ languages for families that may have trouble with the original form. Please contact EHC! for guidance in attaining these forms.
! All children receive the same meal and eat in the same place regardless of what they are paying for the meals. It is illegal for students getting free or reduced-price meals to be given a special meal ticket, be made to use different lines or rooms, or be discriminated against in any way.
More information from the CT State Department of Education. |
SNAP Spotlight: EHC! Outreach
As our economy continues to create more need, coupled with newly implemented expanded income guidelines for the SNAP/Food Stamp program, more and more people are eligible for SNAP/Food Stamps. Increased applications means increased traffic at DSS offices and much more work for DSS intake workers. To help relieve some of the strain, End Hunger CT! can help answer questions regarding benefits and assist with completing applications. EHC! SNAP Advocates strive to make the process of applying for benefits run a smoothly as possible and are available for support if issues arise.
As quoted by a partnering agency about SNAP Outreach Worker, Phyllis Cappuccio:
"You are becoming a folk hero in the lower CT valley. [We're] excited about your forthcoming events in Old Saybrook and in Old Lyme. People no longer deal with a faceless bureaucrat; they are dealing personally with Phyllis, who has helped their friend or neighbor."
Contact to our four outreach workers is available via our SNAP automated information line: 1-866-974-SNAP or by e-mail:
Hartford County: Suzette Strickland
Please call the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) for SNAP assistance in Middlesex, Litchfield, and Fairfield Counties. CAHS phone number: (860) 951-2212.
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Eat Well for Less with Angel Food Ministries
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that provides food relief to people all over the country. The organization buys food from first rate suppliers at large volume discounts that provides families with approximately $65 worth of quality food for $30. The changing monthly menu consists of fresh, frozen and packaged foods. The cost for a box of Angel Food is $30. There is no purchase limit for boxes of Angel Food and no applications or qualifications necessary to purchase.
Angel Food Ministries participates in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program enabling families to better spend their benefits with a variety of nutritious foods.
Connecticut Sites
Contact your closest host site for ordering information.
What's new with Angel Food?
Allergen-free Food Box
Senior and Convenience Meals for Seniors and People on the Go
See September Menu Here |
School Breakfast Needed Now, More Than Ever
Back to school means back to school breakfast! As we all know, the economy is pushing more and more families into poverty and food insecurity. According to national nonpartisan research group in Washington D.C., First Focus, an additional 35,000 Connecticut children will fall into poverty during this recession. School meals can help by providing healthy low or no cost meals and snacks. Breakfast is offered at school in many (but not enough) districts in the state. Albeit one small meal, breakfast is the fuel that jump-starts the body and mind for maximum information retention.  New Breakfast Research:
Studies look at School Breakfast Participation, Quality of Meals
Results include:
-Students are more likely to participate when breakfast is served in the classroom, when time available for breakfast in school is longer, and when they come from lower income or time-constrained households.
-Children with access to the School Breakfast Program are more likely to eat breakfast in the morning and that program access may enhance food security among families at the margin of food insecurity.
- Students who participated in the School Breakfast Program had significantly lower BMIs than non-participating students. | |
Many school districts across the state are stepping up their efforts to reach more students with school breakfast. Here are just a few school breakfast program updates:
Meriden will be introducing breakfast into its two high schools. Vernon Middle School will be starting a breakfast program, which now means every public school now offers breakfast in Vernon.
Hartford will be using a grant from Action for Healthy Kids at Parkville Elementary School to pilot outreach techniques such as working with the Phys Ed department to offer activities before school, encouraging parents to eat with their children on special days, and distributing flyers promoting the program in hair salons and food pantries.
New Britain has plans to bring all of its elementary schools on to Breakfast in the Classroom and will start introducing some hot choices into the menu at the secondary schools. Bridgeport will add its's twe.lfth school serving Breakfast in the Classroom, a highly successful method of serving breakfast. Killingly will be doing more "grab n go" breakfast to make it easier for kids that may arrive late due to bussing or busy schedules.
New Haven is breaking the mold by offering reimbursable breakfast (and lunch) through a vending machine - and it won't be junk food!
Waterbury, Putnam, and Norwich will be experimenting with new menu options like eggs, breakfast sandwiches, dried fruit, and french toast sticks.
The Connecticut School Breakfast Expansion Team (CBET) is working with school districts, parents, school nurses, food services directors, and principals to start and expand school breakfast programs. If you would like to learn more about being an advocate for school breakfast in your school or district, please e-mail Dawn Crayco. |
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Cheers to 25 Years!
Celebrating Executive Director Nancy L. Carrington's 25 Years of Service to Connecticut Food Bank
Connecticut Food Bank will honor Executive Director, Nancy Carrington for her service as a leading anti-hunger advocate in the state with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 26 at Connecticut Food Bank's main warehouse, 150 Bradley Street, East Haven.
Join us thank Nancy for her leadership in the anti-hunger effort and share in her hope that one day there will be no need for food banks across the country because no one has to struggle to keep food on the table. Nancy is a founding member of EHC! and a member of our Board of Directors for many years. Congratulations Nancy!
Ticket prices for the event will be $50 for general admission. Reserve your tickets for the event today by contacting sstevens@ctfoodbank.org. | |
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