New Haven Announces Events to Highlight National Hunger Action Month

From the City of New Haven:

September is National Hunger Action Month and the City of New Haven has several events planned to raise awareness of – and combat – hunger in the city. Food System Policy Director Joy Johannes has created numerous channels through which community members are encouraged to give ideas and opinions about food systems and food insecurity in New Haven.

Among them:

1. What are the top 3 things you would like to see happen in the next year?
2. How could we make these 3 things happen? (what could we do?)
3. What suggestions do you have to improve access to food and/or healthy food options?
4. What can we do to make sure people don't go hungry?

B) Residents can go online at www.nhfoodconnection.com – an information-sharing web site for those involved and for those who would like to be involved in the food systems in New Haven.

C) During the next week there will be community conversations held at each library branch so officials can hear directly from the public about what needs to improve in the local and regional food system, particularly to combat hunger. An attached flyer includes dates and times for those conversations.

D) On Saturday September 24, 2016 from 12:00 noon – 4:30 p.m. at Hill Regional Career High School Johannes will facilitate a workshop based upon ideas generated through the idea boards and the recently completed New Haven Food Insecurity and Access surveys. The workshop will focus on creating goals, strategies and actions in order to update the Food Action Plan.

The outcome of this month-long campaign will provide the City of New Haven with ideas and direction to further combat hunger, increase healthy food options, increase economic opportunities, and support local farms and gardens.

The New Haven food system is remarkably diverse, and includes: farms, community gardens, environmental elements, composting, food waste, food pantries, soup kitchens, summer meals, supper meals, mobile pantries, faith based meals, social organization meals, fraternal meals, day care meals, school meals, nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, cafeterias, bakeries, fast food, cafes, delis, restaurants, food vendors, food trucks, grocery stores, meat markets, seafood markets, health food stores, and corner stores.

New Haven officials believe each element of the local food system can be a resource to address hunger and food insecurity in this community.

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