Programs:

Special Programs

Community Pantries

Started in May 2005, Community Pantries is a program of direct distribution of fresh food to residents of 11 Housing Authority New Haven sites. Residents of the Housing Authority are among the city’s poorest residents and many have health concerns that require special diets. Many Housing Authority New Haven sites are not located in close proximity to a supermarket, soup kitchen or pantry, and lack of transportation is an issue for many residents. Connecticut Food Bank seeks to bridge this gap and provide nutritious foods to these residents.

Kids Cafe

The Kids Cafe program, established nationwide by America’s Second Harvest in 1993, provides free, prepared food and nutrition education to hungry children. Kids Cafes utilize existing community resources, such as Boys and Girls Clubs or schools, where children naturally congregate. In June 2005, a Kids Cafe opened at the New London Youth Organization in southeastern Connecticut where teens prepare and serve food to other teens in need, initially serving 50 to 100 kids two days a week.

Produce for the People

Produce for the People, launched August 1998, is an outreach program for local grassroots organizations, senior citizen housing complexes and tenant councils in low-income neighborhoods. By directly providing food to these groups dedicated to helping their neighborhoods, Connecticut Food Bank introduces them to our work and encourages them to become incorporated nonprofit organizations and Connecticut Food Bank members.

To learn more about these programs, please contact Kate Walton, Programs Director, at (203) 469-5000, ext. 323, or kwalton@ctfoodbank.org.