Advancing Greenwich’s food security initiatives by strengthening & leveraging relationships, knowledge and networks |
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The nations largest food security safety net, (second largest is the National School Lunch Program) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is in jeopardy due to the Government shut down and H.R. 1. The majority of SNAP recipients are the most vulnerable among us: children, seniors, people with disabilities and/or undergoing a health crisis. Hunger is a policy choice – what our nation is facing is unprecedented. We all need to stay informed, engaged and connected. We will be reaching out more frequently in the coming months providing resources, including ways you can support neighbors experiencing food insecurity. We will also provide a contextual framing, such as how changes to SNAP will disrupt local economies. Help us build this resource! We welcome your insights, what you are learning and experiencing. If you know of community-based/grassroots initiatives in need of support please send them our way and we'll include them in upcoming emails. We ask that you help us keep our community informed and share the link to this email with your networks: find link here. |
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1.) Government shut down: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would run out of funding on November 1st due to the ongoing government shutdown. A contingency fund for the program contains about $6 billion, although benefits in November are expected to total around $8 billion. As of today, the USDA has not indicated it would use the contingency funds to keep SNAP going through November. The loss of funding will drive a hunger crisis impacting: 42 million people nationwide, 223,000 people statewide and 1,535 individuals served in Greenwich. - USDA statement: here + Secretary Brooke Rollins op-ed heres
- EBT cards will be operational after Nov. 1st, funds on cards will carry over
2.) H.R. 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) As of November the policy changes due to the passage of H.R. 1 will have widespread impact ranging from loss of benefits due to changes in work requirements and other measures. - Greenwich - 817 families currently receive SNAP: 223 families are expected to lose $25+/monthly benefits.
- Bridgeport - 18,498 families currently receive SNAP: 5,045 families are expected to lose $25+/monthly benefits with a total monthly benefit loss of 1,310,061.00
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- CT Department of Social Services: current status update here
- Reggy Saint Fortcolin & Fridgeport: current status update here
- Governor Lamont: Announces $3 Million in Emergency Funding for CT Foodshare To Address SNAP Benefits Crisis here
- FoodCorps: What the shutdown means for child nutrition programs here
- Data Haven Report: Food Assistance and Local Economies at Risk: Projected Federal SNAP Cuts by Connecticut Town and District | How HR1 Could Impact Food Assistance and Local Prosperity here
- CT Department of Social Services Data Dashboard here
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FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING |
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- CitySeed's $50 farmers' market tokens: donate here
- Bridgeport Rescue Mission: donate here
- East End NRZ Market & Cafe: donate here
- Fairgate Farm: donate here
- Greenwich Fills The SNAP Gap: donate here
- Greenwich Jewish Family Services: When Benefits Stop, Hunger Starts: One Community One Mission donate here
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UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL EVENTS |
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Our Food, Our Future presented by the CT Food Sovereignty Collective on November 15th from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center in Bridgeport. Register here. |
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A Tale of Two States Addressing Food Insecurity in Connecticut Through Community Empowerment presented by Foodshed Forum Fairfield County on November 18th from 7:00 - 8:30pm at Common Ground in New Haven. Learn more and register here. |
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Christian Duborg, CT's Food & Nutrition Policy Analyst, will join for Greenwich Foodshed Alliance's next CoP on Friday, November 21st at 9:00 via Zoom. Christian will discuss the findings and recommendations noted in his upcoming 2025 Food Security Report. The narrative & data is invaluable, please join us. |
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WE have the power to be food system changemakers. |
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Greenwich Foodshed Alliance is a program of The Foodshed Network, a fiscally sponsored organization of Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) |
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