Connecticut Food Bank: Feeding Connecticut Conference September 2008

Every two years the Connecticut Food Bank hosts a state conference in order to bring together all of its member food programs and organizations. CFB members include CFB staff, food pantry members, advocacy groups, and other organization designed to help feed CT residents and fight hunger in the state. Each year’s conference includes speakers, workshops, and the chance for CFB members to share information, raise awareness, and provide support for each other.
This year, in celebration of Hunger Action Month, the conference was held on September 16th at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Meriden, CT. As a University of Connecticut Dietetic Intern, I was honored to have been provided the opportunity to attend such a powerful event. This year’s guest speaker, Marlene B. Schwartz, PhD Deputy Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University, spoke to the attendees on how home, neighborhood, and school environments shape eating attitudes and behaviors, with a focus on childhood obesity.
Throughout the course of the day, those in attendance were given the opportunity to participate in their choice of three workshops. Of the extensive topic list, I chose to attend “Nutrition” presented by Judy Prager, RD, CD/N, Dietitian for New Opportunities, Inc. In this workshop tips for bargain shopping and low cost-recipe ideas were provided so that healthful, creative tips may be relayed to clients. In the “Taking Action” workshop, Lucy Nolan, Director of End Hunger CT! and Mary Ellen McGuire, CFB Development Director lead an inspirational discussion that included ideas of how to successfully advocate and approach state and local legislators in order to meet the needs of the people your program serves. The final workshop I chose to attend was “Grant Writing” in which Kate Walton, CFB Programs Director and Mary Ellen Martin, CFB Grants Coordinator provided expert advice of how to located grant funders and write an effect grant.
Even though door prizes, including tickets to meet country music artist and CFB spokesperson Phi Vassar, were awarded, the highlight of the day’s events was a video interview between Nancy Carrington, CFB Executive Director and Connecticut’s US Representative Rosa L. DeLauro. Congresswoman DeLauro provided passionate responses to questions concerning the 2008 Farm Bill, the Supplemental Food Assistance Program formally know as Food Stamps, Child Nutrition Programs, as well as global food issue and how the US is affected.
Overall, the conference proved to be a fantastic learning experience and a great opportunity to meet and talk with wonderful people all of whom share a common goal of ending hunger in the state of Connecticut.


Liz North
UCONN Dietetic Intern

Senior Shift

Anyone who works promoting participation in the Food Stamp Program is bound to see a lot of seniors. After all, a good percentage of eligible seniors don’t take advantage of the program, so targeting them is a priority. It’s pretty easy to locate and identify potential recipients through senior centers and housing sites and as an outreach worker I visit many on a regular basis.

The tough part is that thanks to the safety net provided by the combination of social security and subsidized housing, many low-income seniors only qualify for the minimum benefit. That translates into a $10.00 monthly food stamp allotment for a large percentage of them.

The usual response to $10.00 in food stamps? “Too”…too much trouble, too much paperwork, too little money.

Lately though, I’m seeing a shift. It’s nothing earthshaking, mostly a blip on the social Richter scale, but enough to be noticeable. Some seniors have come to the conclusion that at least it’s “something.” Maybe they can’t buy an awful lot more, but it could be an extra milk, eggs and bread. That “something” might just make the difference between buying some fresh fruit and vegetables this month or not. Considering the rising burden of inflation, that $10.00 might be just the “something” they need.

The good news is that the minimum benefit is scheduled to increase this October….the first time in 30 years. The new minimum: $14.00. It will also be indexed to the maximum benefit to assure future increases are in line with inflation. Now that really is “something.”

PTC