community

Food club

WORKING together to build a resilient network of neighbors supporting each other’s Food Access needs.

community food club

INTEREST FORM

How It Works

This effort is in response to needs expressed by the Mutual Aid Hartford network

Members, neighbors, and friends are responding to their own needs, needs expressed by their neighbors, and anticipated community needs. While food security is not a new challenge, folks flagged two recent disruptions further degrading food access in Hartford.

1: The USDA (the federal agency in charge of SNAP benefits utilized by 1 in 10 CT residents) refused to distribute monthly SNAP benefits on November 1st, 2025 (blaming the ongoing federal government shutdown). Recipients did not receive their benefits for 11 days, at which point Connecticut officials authorized the use of state funds and distributed benefits for November. The end of the government shutdown was on November 12th, the federal government has commenced monthly benefits (for now).

2: In July, the federal government passed a spending bill (H.R.1 also called “the Big Beautiful Bill”) that included SNAP cuts. These cuts will happen in two phases: (1) starting December 1st 2025 eligibility for SNAP benefits tightens, reducing the number of residents who qualify and (2) in FY2027 (aka next year), federal funds sent to states for SNAP administration and benefit coverage will be reduced, predicted to result in further benefit reductions. Learn more about the impact here. Check if you meet the new work requirements here.