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Feeding Connecticut: Addressing Food Insecurity and Rising Uneployment
In partnership with: Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Unemployment rates rose higher in the first three months of the pandemic than they did during the two years of the Great Recession. People were furloughed, lost their jobs and struggled to put food on the table for their families. Luckily, many Connecticut communities were able to benefit from the generosity and preparation of local farmers, producers and organizations who banded together to ensure no families would go hungry.
See more: Connecticut Retailers Strive to Source Products Locally
Farmers to Families
Early in 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered with various distributors to purchase billions in fresh produce, dairy and meat products to give to families in need. Farmers who would typically sell their products to restaurants and bulk distributors had the chance to put together food boxes for schools, nonprofits and food banks to ensure Americans had enough to eat.
“The Farmers to Families Food Box program began in April (2020) to redirect food that was being lost due to the shutdown of the economy because of COVID-19,” says Willie Dellacamera, owner and operator of Cecarelli’s Harrison Hill Farm.
Dellacamera says he decided to participate in the program out of concern that his wholesale market potential would suffer. Working together with the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Common Ground High School in New Haven, East Haven Board of Education and Town of North Branford, he began putting together family boxes to help feed those in his community.
“With the extra products I had on hand, I was able to deliver between 2,000 and 2,500 boxes a week,” he says. “To date, I’ve packed 29,379 boxes, which helped make our 2020 growing season a success.”
Another helpful tool in the fight against food insecurity has been Connecticut Emergency Food Resources – CTpantryresources.com – which helps food pantries procure and distribute food and helps food-insecure residents find feeding programs.
Senior Farmers’ Market Programs
As COVID-19 began to impact senior citizens disproportionally, many wrestled with decisions to leave their homes, even for basic needs like groceries. Peggy Zamore, nutritionist and director of the Danbury Farmers’ Market, has years of experience working with food-insecure seniors. However, COVID-19 led her to quickly shift the way they addressed these issues to meet their shoppers’ needs.
“We began problem-solving how we could help seniors – who were at a greater risk due to the pandemic – access market produce,” Zamore says. “Seeking that solution led us to create senior box programs with pickup and delivery options.”
Prior to the pandemic, the Danbury Farmers’ Market offered a unique perk to senior shoppers. Those with FMNP checks could double their value with farmers at the market, which served as an incentive to purchase fresh produce.
“We have several cash incentive programs to increase the number of fruits and vegetables people purchase,” Zamore says. “We double the value of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and senior and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) FMNP checks. We also provide $10 per week for veterans and senior programs.”
See more: How Connecticut Helps Beginning Farmers Grow Their Dreams
Operation Community Impact
Bill Davenport serves as the Litchfield County University of Connecticut 4-H Extension educator, working directly with 28 4-H clubs and more than 300 4-H youth members. The county club selected Operation Community Impact as its 2020 theme in January.
“When the pandemic hit, it was an obvious choice to help the food-insecure families in our county who were suffering from unemployment,” Davenport says. “I know firsthand how hard farmers work to provide food for the rest of us. When I heard that some farms were forced to dump milk due to school and restaurant closures, I decided we needed to get some of this milk into the hands of families in need.”
With the help of Litchfield County UConn 4-H members, parents and volunteers who rose to the challenge, the operation received over $16,000 in dairy donations that allowed them to purchase 1,440 half gallons of milk every two weeks starting in early May and deliver to 24 food pantries.
“It’s crucial for producers, cooperatives and markets to step up in times like these,” Davenport says. “It’s a generous gesture and reminder of how important farms and local food are to everyone.”