In the Northeast and Clay-Arsenal neighborhoods, there are no large markets and more than two dozen smaller markets with a generally poor selection of fresh foods and limited fruit and vegetable selections. Several of these small markets sell primarily processed and snack foods, tobacco, alcohol, and lottery tickets. Many residents in these neighborhoods rely on SNAP and WIC to provide assistance towards their diet, however in the absence of a larger supermarket, navigating through these corner stores and bodegas for healthy options can prove to be difficult for those on limited budgets. This scenario often leaves many residents with the task of preparing meals that satisfy their families with the few options available to them.
In January 2012, Hartford Food System began the North Hartford Community Kitchen as a pilot program. The goal of this 16 week program is to promote the importance of healthy eating, to give participants hands-on cooking skills and experience needed to supplement the healthy eating messages, and to reinforce for our residents that it is possible to advocate for better food and to eat well on a limited budget. Additionally, we plan to show that demand, access, and purchase of locally available healthier food selections can be stimulated in socio-economically challenged neighborhoods by increased nutritional knowledge and cooking skills.
Two classes run concurrently, Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon, and each meet once a week at Parker Memorial Community Center in the Northeast neighborhood of Hartford. The Community Kitchen is currently featuring a sister program Cooking Matters™ for six weeks. Following Cooking Matters™, the remaining curriculum will provide information and techniques about nutrition, starting an indoor vegetable garden, oral health, and much more.