More healthy food thanks to BJ’s Charitable Foundation

Foodshare was recently visited by folks from BJ’s Wholesale Club to celebrate all that they do to help us fight hunger in Greater Hartford. Last year, BJ’s donated enough food and funds to Foodshare to help generate over 180,000 meals! This included a generous $30,000 Agency Capacity grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation. With this funding, we were able to help several of Foodshare’s partner programs in the Greater Hartford area purchase new equipment to store and handle more perishable food items – including refrigerators, freezers, thermal blankets, and scales. This increased capacity means that together we will be able to distribute more healthy food, such as produce, meat, and dairy, to our food insecure neighbors! 

Check out the photo below from a local pantry that received a refrigerator thanks to BJ’s Charitable Foundation – their new unit is stocked full of fresh food!

Nutrition guidelines for child care centers

There are changes ahead on the menu at day care centers and adult care homes receiving federal food subsidies. More fruits and veggies and whole grains are in; added sugar is on the way out.

The nutrition guidelines for day care centers and day care homes taking part in a federal program subsidizing meals have been revised by USDA. The new rules, which are due to be implemented by Oct. 1, 2017, require more while grains and a wider variety of vegetables and fruit and fewer added sugars and solid fats in meals.

The Food Research & Action Center hailed the changes as an improvement in improving nutrition for at-risk children.

“By offering meals consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, child care and afterschool programs will provide millions of low-income children better access to much-needed fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lower-fat dairy foods,” FRAC president James Weill said on the organization’s website. “This is an important step in addressing the nutritional shortfalls in our nation’s children’s diets and helping to tackle the nation’s obesity problem.”

The guidelines apply to programs taking part in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which supplies grants to qualifying public and private non-profit child care centers, adult day care centers, afterschool programs and shelters. The program is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, which published the new rules on April 25.

Community Eligibility Cutbacks?

A discussion draft of the child nutrition reauthorization bill that the House Education and Workforce Committee may soon consider includes a provision that would severely restrict schools’ eligibility for community eligibility, an option that allows high-poverty schools to provide school meals at no charge to all students.

Currently a school qualifies for community eligibility if 40% of its students are automatically qualified for free school meals based on their participation in another anti-poverty program. The proposal would raise that threshold to 60%. If the proposal becomes law, 7,022 schools now using community eligibility to serve nearly 3.4 million students would have two years to reinstate paper eligibility applications and return to monitoring eligibility in the lunch line. Another 11,647 schools that qualify for community eligibility, but have not yet adopted it, would lose eligibility.

Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 4/18/16, Community Eligibility

Guest Blogger: The Hartford

As Presenting Sponsor of the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger, The Hartford provides support in a myriad of ways--monetary donations, volunteers, a physical location for hosting the event on Walk day. Despite the weight of those contributions, we are continually amazed by the passion and enthusiasm Hartford employees share for our mission of solving hunger in Greater Hartford.

We recently invited them to attend our Hunger Action Team Symposium and, following the event they shared this beautiful sentiment on their employee blog:

Feeding Growing Bodies and Minds

C&S Wholesale Grocers has helped us ensure more children throughout Greater Hartford have access to the nutritious food they need to learn and grow. Through a two-year Child Hunger grant, C&S Wholesale Grocers has helped Foodshare distribute food to children and families served by backpack and school pantry programs in communities around Suffield and Windsor Locks. In addition to this generous grant support, C&S donated enough food to generate over 400,000 meals, with nearly a quarter being fresh produce!

 

And then there's in-kind support...

Napkins, plates, cutlery and more, provided by C&S Wholesale Grocers helped local partners provide meals to children across the region while school was out. The company generously donated water for 4,800 walkers participating in the last year's Foodshare Walk Against Hunger. And having the “C&S Turkey Reefer” here during the month of November was a huge help in acquiring and distributing over 16,000 turkeys in a two week period. And then there are the incredible staff members at C&S Wholesale Grocers who, collectively, dedicated over 300 volunteer hours last year.

We cannot thank them enough for their never-ending generosity...what a difference it makes!

Night Market at Billings Forge TONIGHT!

UPDATE (4/22/16):  Congratulations to Foodshare's Frog Hollow Hunger Action Team (HAT) and the Hartford Food System for a successful Night Market held on April 18! Over ninety people attended, receiving free food, SNAP assistance, and information on services available in the community, like the Mobile Market -- offering affordable, high quality produce year-round to low-income neighborhoods.

The Night Market was developed out of a need for access to healthy food, but it also provided local residents with an opportunity to come together as a community. Being held during the evening hours meant all those who typically work during the day could participate. The event was so successful that members of the HAT plan to make it on a monthly occurrence.

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Please come out and support the NIGHT Market on Monday, April 18th from 4pm to 7pm at Billings Forge, 538 Broad Street, in Hartford. Parking is available at 227 Lawrence Street, which is 1 block from Billings Forge.

This is a project of the Frog Hollow Hunger Action Team, one of our newest HATs. Congratulations to all who helped make this possible!

Amazon Fulfillment is filling bellies!

Recently, we were quite fortunate to be invited to the Grand Opening and Dedication of the state-of-the-art Amazon Fulfillment Center in Windsor, CT. We were pleasantly surprised by their generous $2,500 donation to Foodshare and the kind words spoken by their management, as well as Governor Malloy, about the work we do.

We welcome Amazon to the community and look forward to partnering with them in the years ahead...thank you Amazon!

Foodshare receiving a generous donation from our friends at Amazon Fulfillment, alongside Governor Malloy.

Benefit Art Sale for Foodshare

WHAT: ​50 years of work by acclaimed Glastonbury, CT assemblage artist Jean Roberts and (the late) photographer Kenneth Roberts will be sold-price by donation to Foodshare, the organization which works to alleviate hunger in Hartford and Tolland counties. Works range from small, framed collage and unmatted prints to large assemblages and matted/framed photographs.

WHEN: Saturday, April 16, 12-4 (friends/family) or Sunday, April 17 12-4 (public)

WHERE: 36 Martin Terrace, Glastonbury, CT

FOR MORE INFORMATION: call 802-238-0198 or e-mail ​megg.howard@gmail.com

Teaming up to serve Farmington Valley

Foodshare is teaming up with Avon, Simsbury, and Canton Senior and Social Services offices to help people in these towns apply for SNAP. Now residents of all three towns can go to any of our three Farmington Valley sites to get help applying for SNAP benefits. This way, people will be able to get help applying any week, without waiting for their own town's next appointment. The three town offices decided to combine their efforts to help residents in the Farmington Valley towns get food on their table sooner. Way to go!

Learn more online, or call our SNAP Outreach Team at 860-286-9999 ext. 104 to get more information.
 

The real cost of hunger

How much does hunger really cost our nation's health care system?

According to the Bread For the World Institute, at least $160 billion dollars annually, with about half of that staggering figure stemming from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and suicide. That's more than the combined federal and state spending on higher education, according to the report.

The results of the study, based on data from academic research, are considered a conservative estimate by the Bread For The World Institute because they do not include likely additional costs, such as choices between spending money on medication or food.

Research shows that children who grow up in impoverished or food insecure households are exposed to toxic levels of stress that contribute the early onset of chronic illness and make children more vulnerable to depression, substance abuse and dropping out of school.

Thank you to all of our 2016 Walk Sponsors

Thanks to all of our dedicated sponsors who continue to make this event possible, and a special thank you to AMR Ambulance for ensuring the health and well-being of our walkers!

PRESENTING SPONSOR	PLATINUM SPONSOR
	The Chase Family Foundations Issuers of The Chase Challenge
	DIAMOND SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS	ROUTE SPONSORS
McCarter & English, LLP ShopRite	ConnectiCare Deloitte Jade Marketing The Phoenix Companies Ryder Truck Leasing Windsor Federal Savings

Hunger Action Teams Walk Against Hunger!

In 2014, a local Hunger Action Team (HAT) member from Vernon asked, "Can a HAT start a Walk Team?"

We had a modest goal of raising $500, which we exceeded, and 8 walkers wearing custom t-shirts participated.

Fast forward to 2015, when four Hunger Action Walk Teams raised nearly $7,000!

The following Hunger Action Teams are participating in this year's Foodshare Walk Against Hunger with a goal of raising nearly $10,000:

• Andover, Columbia, Hebron, Marlborough (ACHM) - Captain Patti Buell 
• East Hartford - Captain Julieth Callejas 
• East Windsor - Captain Peter Stagon 
• Tri-Town (Ellington, Tolland, Vernon) - Captain Michelle Hill 
• Wethersfield Captain - Andrew Adil

Thank you to all the Hunger Action Teams for your support! Learn more about the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger >

The Mini April Invitational

Come check out new Mini models between April 15 – 24.

It’s an event that’s fulfilling for all. Come take a test drive and your local MINI Dealer will donate to Feeding America®. When you buy, get $1,000 additional cash off a new MINI. Learn More > 

And check out the fun happening at New Country MINI (236 Reverend Moody Overpass, Hartford):

• Friday, April 22nd from 5pm – 7pm: Feeding America – Agave Grill Food Truck – Refreshments – Souvenir Sunglasses – Unveiling of ALL New MINI Convertible - $1000 Certificate Cash Off any new MINI
• Saturday, April 23rd from 9am – 5pm: The Most Fulfilling Test Drive Ever. Snacks – Refreshments – New Country MINI will donate $20 to Feeding America for each test drive - $1000 Certificate Cash off any new MINI 

National SNAP Summit Held at Foodshare

Foodshare SNAP Outreach Coordinator, Laura Roberts, hosted 13 member food banks belonging to the Feeding America Network at a Regional Strategic Planning Summit from March 21-23. The group (pictured above), including staff from Feeding America and Capacity Advisors from other food banks, met to examine the successes and struggles of offering a SNAP Outreach program.

Discussions included sharing best practices for marketing, reaching senior populations, steps to achieve program goals, working with grant and fundraising staff to maximize funds use, and reaching out to our state representatives and advocating for change to difficult barriers. Many members attending voiced their plan to take information back to their food bank to share.

Thank you Aetna Employees!

On April 5, 2016, The Foodshare team was proud to attend the Aetna IT Infrastructure and Development Team's "Decades" Event. Foodshare was chosen as the team's charity of choice and was the recipient of employees' contributions of $6800 and 200 lbs of donated food.

Our President and CEO, James Arena-DeRosa, addressed the group of 300 employees in Hartford, as well as an additional 1300 employees who were live-streamed nationwide. Chris Montross, who is Aetna's Head of Corporate Community Investments/Employee Programs, was largely responsible for selecting Foodshare as the beneficiary this year, and surprised the group with an additional $13,000 contribution from the company. And this is all in addition to sponsoring the #FSWalk Against Hunger. All of us at Foodshare are extremely thankful for your continued support, and we look forward to working closely with all of Aetna's passionate employees in the years ahead!

National Volunteer Week: Ways you can help!

Here at Foodshare, we would not be able to accomplish our mission of eliminating hunger without the more than 6,200 volunteers who help us at every step along the way, from our distribution center to our Hunger Action Teams in the community.

So we're happy to celebrate National Volunteer Week, which has been a tradition since 1974. It's about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging the millions of Americans who give their time and talents to help others.

There are plenty of good reasons to volunteer. It feels great giving back. It allows you to make new friends and gain new perspectives. You'll help people who need your time, your effort and your willingness to listen and understand. And if you're thinking of a career change, it's a great way to expand your network, gain new skills and show prospective employers you're committed to your community.

Foodshare is always looking for volunteers to help us accomplish our goals. Whether it's sorting food in our Bloomfield distribution center, serving as a member of a Hunger Action Team or becoming an e-advocate, there are so many ways you can help us eliminate hunger and food insecurity, one meal at a time. 

Here's a look at the opportunities Foodshare is offering right now. See something you like? Click here to register and get involved!

Work requirement for SNAP: Is it fair?

When the economic crisis began in 2008, many states rolled back requirements that SNAP recipients who do not have a child or a disability must find a job within three months of receiving benefits and work an average of 20 hours per week.

This year, a number of states, including Connecticut, are reinstating that federal mandate. The move could cost as many as 1 million Americans access to food assistance, according to The Washington Post.  

According to the story, in many states the work requirement was automatically reinstated this year as the economy continued to recover. For some of those states, the three-month grace period ended on April 1. The requirement has been in place since 1996, according to the report.

The average time for an unemployed American to find a new job is more than six months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The work requirement can be waived when the area unemployment rate is above 10 percent or 20 percent above the national average, or if the labor market is deemed week on other criteria. But states can still reinstate the requirement even if times are still tough. 

A number of political leaders say that able-bodied adults who can work should be working -- and that the 20-hour work requirement helps promote that goal. 

But critics say the requirement ignores the realities of how difficult it is to find steady employment in an economy where steady manufacturing jobs have vanished.

"We've seen a long-term trend toward more precarious job conditions for low-skilled workers," Shawn Fremstad of the Center for Economic and Policy Research told The Washington Post. "Even if you get a job, you're not guaranteed more than 20 hours a week."

3rd Annual HAT Symposium Success!

Foodshare’s Community Network Builders, Beatrice Maslowski and Jim Palma, were excited to facilitate the 3rd Annual Hunger Action Team (HAT) Symposium on March 30. Over 100 people  filled the beautiful Chrysalis Training and Conference Center in Hartford--representatives from all 19 HATs, Foodshare staff and board, and special guests, including several from The Hartford, were in attendance.

James Arena-DeRosa, President and CEO of Foodshare, shared the organization's 2016 goals which include supporting important work by the Hunger Actions Teams in our local communities. A spokesperson from each HAT gave a quick overview of their team, along with accomplishments and plans for 2016.

High school students from the New Britain Youth Food Justice Initiative shared a video and personal observations from their project “Educate, Cultivate, Advocate” which talked about food deserts in their community.

The event concluded with an opportunity for HAT members to network and share ideas through a variety of discussion groups, touching on topics like:

• Improving access to affordable/healthy food
• Community assets & challenges to food security
• Summer meals
• Grow food year-round with Aquaponics, Aeroponics & Hydroponics
• Healthy Food through gleaning, community and school gardens
• Integrating case management with food pantries
• Techniques to improve communication across HATs

Check out more photos of the symposium online here. For additional information about Foodshare’s Hunger Action Teams, please contact Sarah Santora.

Walk Against Hunger and Leave with a New Pair of Jeans

Joining our cupcake, potato, and grilled cheese trucks this year will be The Jean Machine, Jade Jean’s denim pants truck. For only $10, participants of the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger will receive one complimentary pair of jeans from Amethyst Jeans, Series 31, Rhythm in Blues, Ariya Jeans, or T.K. Axel, with proceeds benefiting Foodshare. Better yet, a $50 donation will get you six pairs!

To receive your pick of new jeans, bring your cash donation to the Foodshare Walk Against Hunger on Sunday, May 1 at Liam E. McGee Memorial Park and find the pink Amethyst Jeans truck.

We’d like to thank Jade Jeans for their continued support and involvement in our fight against hunger in Greater Hartford.

Saying goodbye after 17 years

Steve Slipchinsky has been with Foodshare for 17 years. In addition to being our “produce guy” he was also instrumental in getting our Hartford location up and running back in 2000. 

Last week, we said a fond farewell to Steve as he moved on to his next adventure (one that we all dream about) -- retirement! While we are all sad to see him go, we wish him well and hope that he will remember his time here at Foodshare with a smile. 

The Foodshare Family all donned plaid in Steve's honor!

Even Gloria made a guest appearance to say goodbye!

Beating Diabetes: Food, Fitness & Focus

Connecticut Health Investigative Team, in collaboration with ConnectiCare and Hispanic Health Council, is holding a community forum on April 7 at the Chrysalis Center in Hartford to empower diabetics and consumers at-risk of contracting diabetes to adopt a healthier lifestyle and to learn the latest information on risks and treatments from a panel of experts.