The state of Connecticut has released its first round of additional funding to Connecticut Foodshare following lawmakers’ approval of a $3 million allocation earlier this year. This represents more than a three-fold increase over previous annual funding and comes amid rising food insecurity across the state. The funding, part of the Connecticut Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP), is used to purchase goods for food pantries statewide, up from the program’s prior funding level of $850,000.
Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves emphasized the importance of this investment, noting that access to food is a fundamental human right and essential for maintaining dignity. The funding boost comes as national hunger rates continue to rise, according to Feeding America, and as potential cuts to federal programs such as SNAP threaten food access for vulnerable populations.
Governor Ned Lamont highlighted the impact of reduced federal support, noting that Connecticut no longer receives the regular shipments of fresh food that previously came from Washington. Bipartisan lawmakers, including State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw, have advocated for even higher funding levels, aiming for $10 million annually, though the approved allocation for FY26 is $3 million, rising to $6 million in FY27. Kavros DeGraw acknowledged that while the increase is significant, it still falls short of meeting the state’s growing needs.
Connecticut Foodshare has also been affected by past federal cuts, including reductions to the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which together have limited the organization’s ability to source locally-grown food and supply pantries. Jason Jakubowski, CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, noted that while the state funds provide vital support, they cannot fully offset the impact of federal funding reductions or the uncertainty surrounding future federal safety net programs.
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