community

Food club

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

community food club

INTEREST FORM

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How It Works

  • The Community Food Club was created as a four month pilot to respond to the instability, uncertainty, and unaffordability of our current food systems. By distributing monthly pick-ups of pantry staples, the hope is that members are able to save money, reduce time spent shopping for essential items, and strengthen relationships across our community. Ultimately, the Community Food Club aims to create new pathways for affordable food access in Hartford.

  • We will be distributing 80-100 pounds of food. Please bring your own boxes or bags. We also encourage folks to ride share and make plans for transportation to handle the large quantities. Refer to your confirmation calls and texts for additional details.

  • Our pilot phase is currently at capacity. We want to stay connected with Hartford families who are interested in future Community Food Club opportunities.

    If you are interested in joining the next phase of the Community Food Club and want to receive updates, please leave your contact information at the link above.

  • We need more folks to make this a resilient alternative food system - participate, volunteer, donate. Reach out to food@mutualaidhartford.com to learn more about opportunities, sign up for our Newsletter to stay in the loop.

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.