A visit to New Haven and the CT Food Bank

I can’t believe my time here with EHC! is up – this past month flew by! I’m so grateful for all of the different experiences I was able to have as I was sent around CT to meet with various SNAP advocates, school food service directors, the Connecticut Food Bank, Foodshare, and members of the community interested in expanding federal food programs. Each week was full of new people and places – our last week being no exception.

On Wednesday, Mariam and I had the opportunity to spend the day in New Haven to visit Connecticut Food Bank and the New Haven School Food Service Department. At the Connecticut Food Bank we met with Phaedra Ebron, the Child Nutrition Coordinator. Phedra is responsible for the food bank’s Backpack Program, which provides a weekend food supply to children in need. I had been very curious to learn more about the logistics of the program and to find out more about the program’s future goals. Phaedra was extremely helpful in answering all our questions – from how she choose what types of food goes into the backpacks to how she sees the program expanding in the future. The time and effort put into running such a large operation (over 700 students throughout CT are served by their Backpack Program) is immense and I was so impressed at the thought put into each of the program’s details. The food distributed is personally selected and purchased by the Connecticut Food Bank, with an emphasis on healthy meal choices a child can prepare themselves (easy to open, no cooking necessary). While the overall goal of the program is to make sure children do not go hungry during the weekend, it was refreshing to see an emphasis placed on nutritious foods rather than providing many of the less healthy convenience foods.

I also enjoyed how the program expanded into more of an educational role by providing nutrition information and recipes in the backpacks on occasion. I can see much more potential for other provisions, like information on the SNAP program and listings of local food pantries, in the backpacks as well. Why limit the backpack’s contents to food? Numerous other companies and organizations could be utilized to provide much needed goods and services, like hygienic products, clothing, winter items, etc. The Connecticut Food Bank seems to be heading their program in this direction, as they currently provide donated toothpaste and toothbrushes in the backpacks. As I realize the need for programs like the Backpack Program is ever growing, I asked if the Connecticut Food Bank planned on (or was even capable of) expanding their services to more schools. Despite limited resources and a dwindling economy, Phaedra did not seem concerned with the Connecticut Food Bank’s ability to reach even more children. She expressed her hopes to expand the Backpack Program to several of the food bank’s satellite warehouses, recruiting more volunteers, and gaining more funding/donations so they may provide backpacks to every child who needs it. It is truly heartwarming to know there are people in the community who care about those in need and are willing to donate their time and money to ensure they are reached. I hope to see the program continue to expand and possibly get myself involved in the future!