Food education resources

Knowledge is a powerful tool in building a more equitable and sustainable food system. Explore the resources below, and gain the knowledge and tools you need to make informed decisions and take action.

Community conversation

Join CAFS

  • Starved for Attention: Food Insecurity in Northwest Connecticut (PDF)
    The Community Foundation of Northwest CT has released an in-depth report on the topic, Starved for Attention: Food Insecurity in Northwest Connecticut. The report highlights key hunger statistics and food security challenges in our Northwest Corner and serves as a guide for funders and the general public to support the fragile network of organizations that work to address those challenges.

    A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience (PDF)
    Can the six New England states provide 30% of their food from regional farms and fisheries by 2030?

    A New England Food Vision (PDF)
    A New England Food Vision describes a future in which New England produces at least half of the region’s food—and no one goes hungry. It looks ahead half a century and sees farming and fishing as important regional economic forces; soils, forests, and waterways cared for sustainably; healthy diets as a norm; and access to food valued as a basic human right.

Community Advocates for Food Security — A coalition of the Tri Corner community that seeks to leverage our resources and skills to support those individuals that are working to create strength and equity in our local food system through sustainable social, economic, and environmental practices.

Advocates for Consumers

February 10th Meeting Notes

April 21st Meeting Notes

Advocates for Farmers

February 10th Meeting Notes

April 7th Meeting Notes

Impact Projects

Nourish Neighbors

Food access FAQs

  • Food security means having enough food for an active, healthy life—always. Food security includes at a minimum:

    • The ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods

    • The assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (that is, without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies)

  • Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or the limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.

  • The food security status of each household lies somewhere along a continuum extending from high food security to very low food security. This continuum is divided into four ranges, characterized as follows:

    1. High food security: Households have no problems or anxiety about consistently accessing adequate food.

    2. Marginal food security: Households have problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food, but the quality, variety, and quantity of their food intake are not substantially reduced.

    3. Low food security: Households reduce the quality, variety, and desirability of their diets, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns are not substantially disrupted.

    4. Very low food security: At times during the year, the eating patterns of one or more household members are disrupted and food intake is reduced because the household lacks money and other resources for food.

  • Food justice is a view of the food systems that sees healthy food as a basic human right and addresses structural barriers to eliminating disparities and inequities. According to Food Share, “food justice means working to dismantle systemic forms of oppression that exist in our food system and in our food movement.”

  • Food sovereignty as defined by WSCAT.org, Shuwiyasha Food Systems Project: “Our food sovereignty is centered on a connection to traditional foods, the gathering, hunting, fishing, preservation and preparation of these foods, and the Tribal life views associated with them. It is the right to define our own agricultural, labor, fishing, food and land policies which are ecologically, socially, economically and culturally appropriate. It includes the true right to access food and to produce food, which means that all people have the right to safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food and to food-producing resources and the ability to sustain themselves.”

Nutrition

  • View the America Pastured Poultry Producers Association’s (APPPA) article on The Nutrition of Pasture-Raised Chicken and Meats.

  • The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) nutrition resources were designed by HDFFA’s registered dietitian and are available for individuals, organizations, and healthcare providers to encourage building lifelong habits for individuals and families that promote well-being.

  • SNAP-Ed helps people support their local economy and eat healthily. Farmers’ markets are a great way to support local farms. They are also a great place to get fruits and veggies! Fruits and veggies cost less when they are in season. Visit the SNAP-Ed Seasonal Produce Guide for a list of fruits and vegetables available throughout the year.

  • Find recommendations, tools, and a nutrition-based curriculum to promote healthy eating on the Washington State Department of Agriculture site.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

  • SNAP is the nation’s most important anti-hunger program.

    SNAP reaches millions of people who need food assistance. It’s one of the few means-tested government benefit programs available to almost all households with low incomes. 

    SNAP promotes long-term health and well-being, especially for children. Research shows that SNAP reduces poverty and food insecurity and that over the long term, these impacts lead to improved health and economic outcomes, especially for those who receive SNAP as children.

    SNAP benefits are currently under review and many proposals would cut these benefits. Stay informed by visiting The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ food assistance page.

Tri Corner community and demographics

What is ALICE and how are our Tri Corner communities affected?

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed) is a term used to describe individuals and families who work and earn an income but still struggle to make ends meet due to high living expenses and limited financial resources. ALICE households often face challenges in affording basic necessities such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare. The ALICE population represents a significant portion of the workforce and highlights the financial hardships faced by many individuals despite being employed.

Nearly 40% of the households in the Tri Corner counties are living in poverty or below the ALICE threshold.

This chart shows the percentage of households in each Tri Corner county that are currently living in poverty or below the ALICE threshold compared to those living above the ALICE threshold.

Data from United for ALICE and United Way of Connecticut.