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In This Issue
Summer Food Report Released: CT Sees Increase
Summer Food is all the buzz
SNAP Update
Cooling Centers
Governor Signs Children in the Recession Bill
Enfield Celebrates New Program with a Lunch and Learn Day
New Research and Resources
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CT Summer Program Highlighted in National Report
Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group was highlighted for quality meals and programming in the FRAC 2010 Summer Food Report and achieved Silver status in FRAC's Summer Food Standards of Excellence.

Silver Award

Congrats TEEG!

Learn more here.

Where can you find local tomatoes, corn, fresh fruit, AND use food benefits?

Why CT Farmers' Markets, of course!  There are over 90 farmers' markets in CT that accept EBT (SNAP) Benefits, WIC Fruit and Vegetable Checks, and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (WIC and Senior) benefits.

Find them here!

More information on these programs and benefits:

WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

SNAP Use at Farmers' Markets through EBT

The TTemp_Sunemperature isn't the only thing heating up in CT!


According to Hunger Doesn't Take A Vacation, a recent analysis by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) in Washington, D.C., Connecticut's participation in Summer Nutrition Programs increased by 6% in the summer of 2009. This means almost 2,000 more children were fed at sites last summer! The CT State Department of Education reports that there were 25 more sites and 4 new sponsors in 2009. EHC! is pleased to see that more low-income children received summer meals particularly in a time of such need; however, participation is still too low. In the summer, Connecticut reached only 25 children in Summer Food for every 100 reached in the National School Lunch Program during the regular school year.

Read more about the FRAC Summer Food Report here.
 
Despite surging participation in other federal food assistance programs due to the recession, national meal participation for low-income children declined last year. Summer Nutrition Program participation in July 2009 dropped 2.5 percent when compared to July 2008.  Cuts in state and local budgets for summer school and recreational activities contributed to this decrease.

"The fact that participation fell at a time when the economy was weak and children needed the Summer Nutrition Programs the most is particularly disturbing.  Low-income children across the country clearly bore the brunt of budget cuts," said Jim Weill, FRAC president. "The Summer Nutrition Programs have an important role, but they are in trouble and must be improved."
 
End Hunger CT! and FRAC continue to urge Congress to take action to expand summer nutrition programs by: increasing the narrow SFSP area eligibility test; expanding an existing year-round SFSP pilot project to all states; providing start-up and expansion grants for sponsors; and increasing meal reimbursement rates.

Bridgeport_banner

End Hunger CT! has launched its small summer grants programs to fund sponsors that have come up with unique ways to get more kids to their summer food sites.

The 2010 Operation Participation recipients are:
Community Renewal Team, Inc. of Middletown: Enfield Program
Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG)
Groton Human Services
Bridgeport School Food Services
Windham Public Schools
New Opportunities: Meriden Program

There's no such thing as too much talk of summer food!

Summer Food Clear Channel Communications PSA: Hear EHC! on 7 CT Clear Channel Radio stations promoting summer food and how to find the site nearest you. Stations: FM: 92.5, 95.7, 101.3 & 105.9; AM: 960, 1300 & 1410


Channel 8:
News 8 did a fantastic story with Chef and School Food Director, Tim Cipriano about hunger in the summer.
Story and video here.
 
 
Billboard:
Working with community partners,
Picture of billboard located on Rt. 80 in New Haven.
Billboard
New Haven School Food Services was able to secure a billboard to be donated to advertise summer meals in New Haven. The ad space was  donated by Personal Touch Car Wash. The billboard has information pertaining to summer programs across the state as well.
Three Years of Successful SNAP Outreach in Review

Our three year contract with United States Department of Agriculture and the CT Department of Social Services has kept us BUSY. EHC!'s outreach goes beyond passing out flyers. Effective outreach takes a dedicated staff utilizing a variety of approaches to educate the community about the availability of federal food programs and assist individuals with SNAP.  This year we had a VERY successful site visit by the USDA.
 
Below is a list of some of our activities and major accomplishments from the 2008-2010 grant period:

- Educated over 3,000 people on SNAP through workshops, forums, and programs

- With the help of our partners we pre-screened over 2,000 individuals and families for SNAP eligibility

-Created a SNAP-info line 1-866-974-SNAP that addresses basic SNAP eligibility questions

-Received over 2,000 hits a day on our web-b
ased SNAP pre-screener

-Implemented an electronic faxing (efax) system with the CT Department of Social Services Hartford Regional Office to submit complete SNAP  applications  seamlessly for immediate processing by the state

-Created and implemented a Motor Vehicle Network Public Service Ad for SNAP to run in DMV locations

-Partnered with the Department of Social Services Rx bus to educate, inform, and pre-screen potential SNAP recipients and present on this project at a regional Food Nutrition Service Conference
 
Did we mention there are only 4 SNAP outreach staff members here at EHC!?


SNAP_Display_Board
 
 
Of course, there's even more work to be done. EHC! is always looking to partner with organizations  and agencies to promote, educate, and train people on SNAP.  We can also visit your site to do SNAP pre-screenings. If you're interested in learning more about these opportunities, please fill out this form.


Cooling Centers

Many think of utility expenses being high during the colder months, but summer cooling expenses can put just as much strain on household budgets, leaving less money for food. Because of this, individuals and families may also be forced to forgo cooling instruments, putting their health at risk- particularly for young children and seniors.

EHC! would like to remind people that there is a utility deduction for SNAP/Food Stamps and that there are Cooling Centers in CT. Please follow this link for a list of Cooling Centers around the state.

More information concerning these sites and how to respond to excessive heat situations can be found on the DSS, Aging Services' Division website.


2-1-1 Infoline also has the most up-to-date information and site listings available on their website at www.infoline.org.

Please share with anyone who may be interested or who works with clients that may not have sufficient cooling mechanisms available to them.

Children in the Recession: Gov. Rell signs An Act Concerning Children in the Recession

Over a year ago, under the leadership of Speaker of the House Christopher Donovan, CT became the first state to form a legislative task force to help children deal with the impact of the recession. Co-chairs Representative Karen Jarmoc and Diana Urban, the CT Commission on Children, and experts on childrens' issues (including End Hunger CT!) met regularly over the year at the Capitol and throughout the state to devise a legislative plan to address child poverty and its consequences during times of great need. After hours of presentations, testimony, meetings, and public hearings, HB 5360- An Act Concerning Children in the Recession was formed.

The bill called for a unified government response when CT unemployment rates reach 8% or higher, including streamlining application processes (SNAP/Food Stamps, Care4Kids, etc.) and securing available federal dollars. Additional pieces addressed TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and education allowances, Care4Kids notice, essential services for homeless families, and outreach efforts for nutrition and child nutrition programs. The legislation cleared the House of Representatives 137-7 on April 27 and unanimously in the Senate on May 5.

On July 14th, with members of the Speaker's Task Force on Children in the Recession looking on, Governor M. Jodi Rell signed the bill containing the task force's recommendations, An Act Concerning Children in the Recession. A brief video of the signing ceremony, held in the governor's office, is below.


Rell_Signs_CIR

Video

An Act Concerning Children in the Recession Bill
 
New and Noteworthy Summer Food Program

Children and Volunteers Eat, Learn Together at Free
Lunch Program

Thursday, July 15 marked the kick-off of the Enfield Summer Food Program, known as the "Lunch Bunch" at St. Patrick's church hall, now a location in Enfield where any child 18 and under can come eat a healthy lunch during the week. Meals are provided by Community Renewal Team, Inc. The project is a state and local collaboration to address the high rates of food insecurity in Enfield and the subsequent need for community resources like summer food. Volunteers and Board representatives from the collaborating organization joined on this day to read to the children with books provided by the Enfield Town Library.

Irina reading to the Enfield "Lunch Bunch".
reading_enfield

Representatives from the Northeast Regional USDA office and the CT State Department of Education were also in attendance. Only in its third week of operation, the site broke record this day, proving meals to 37 children and proving that summer food is very much needed in Enfield.
CRT also provides summer meals to programs in town including those at JFK Middle School, and the Enfield Child Development Center.

The Enfield Summer Food Program is a collaboration between State Representative Karen Jarmoc, Enfield Food Shelf, Community Renewal Team, End Hunger Connecticut!, Foodshare, Saint Patrick's Parish, the Town of Enfield Social Services and United Way of North Central Connecticut.

Check out the Enfield Food Shelf's photo gallery documenting everything Enfield Summer Food from planning meetings to martial arts and smoothies.


smoothiers
Kristen Chasse, Uconn Grad Student, preparing
 smoothies with children at St. Patrick's church
 in Enfield.




New Research and Resources

SNAP Retail Locatorgrocery_logo
A new USDA SNAP Retailer Locator finds stores that welcome SNAP benefits. It is easy to use- just click the link and enter a street address, city and State, or zip code. A map of the closest approved stores will appear.

Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008

Connecticut among the Top 10 states with the highest increase in the rate of children under 18 who are food insecure. According to a report released by Feeding America on July 1, one in six children in Connecticut doesn't have enough to eat. The report, titled Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008, listed Connecticut's numbers jumped 2.9 percent from the previously reported study released last year. Connecticut is the only state in the Northeast to see such a substantial increase.

Action Guide for Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) recently developed the Action Guide for Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies. The action guide is intended to help local and community child care, early education and after-school programs establish and implement policies and practices that encourage healthy lifestyles in children. The goal of these policies and practices is to create an environment that consistently supports children's health and learning.
 
The action guide is available on the CSDE's Web site

For additional information, please contact Susan Fiore, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Education Coordinator, CSDE, at [email protected] or 860-807-2075.

KIDS COUNT Data Book
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual 2010 KIDS COUNT Data Book on July 27, 2010. Access the report, national and state profiles here.

CT State Profile

End Hunger CT! Inc. is dedicated to ending hunger and promoting healthy nutrition by promoting access to federal nutrition assistance programs, speaking out to raise awareness of hunger in the state of Connecticut, and advocating for positive change of local, state and national programs.

We provide SNAP outreach/training and assistance in Hartford, New London, Tolland, and Windham counties. Child nutrition services include Summer Food Service Program, After-School Snack, and School Breakfast outreach and assistance.
 

SNAP Outreach Staff

Hartford/Tolland Counties
Suzette Strickland   860.560.2100 ext. 305

Windham County
Carl Asikainen  860.874.5349

New London County
Suzette Strickland 860.560.2100 ext. 305

SNAP Bi-Lingual Advocate
Yaira Arroyo  860.560.2100  ext. 306
 
Child Nutrition Services

Dawn Crayco 860.560.2100  ext.  303
Annie E Casey logo
   Lucy Nolan
   End Hunger Connecticut!