Helping to
ensure access

to healthy and culturally appropriate food in community settings such as grocery stores has always been an area of focus for Hartford Food System. Shopping for groceries in urban settings can be a challenging task. Hartford has only one major supermarket. In the absence of larger stores, city residents rely on a range of local retailers for their grocery needs, including traveling regularly outside their own communities to buy food elsewhere. From corner store projects to participation in efforts to attract new supermarkets, HFS believes that a healthy community food system needs strong, sound, and high quality retail outlets.

The goal of the project is to increase access to healthy fruits and vegetables for Hartford residents. During the 3 ½ month pilot program, more than $22,000 in fresh fruit and vegetable purchases were made as a result of the SNAP incentive.

Here’s how the
program works:

THE
SNAP UP!

Program provides low income Hartford residents with a $5 coupon that may be redeemed to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating stores in Hartford, CT. The $5 coupon will be distributed at the register with a qualifying purchase.

TO
QUALIFY

for a coupon, a customer must spend at least $10 with their SNAP/ConneCT Card including at least one fresh fruit or vegetable in their basket.

TO
SUPPORT

the overall health of the local food system, participating stores will be required to procure a portion of their produce from Connecticut growers as part of the program.

UCONN
HUSKY

nutritionists will conduct nutrition education demonstrations in participating stores to encourage and support healthy eating habits.