The Commission

 History  Mission  Duties  Members  Meetings  How to get Involved

History of the City of Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy

          In 1991, the Hartford City Council established the Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy to address issues of hunger and food security in Hartford, particularly among its low-income residents.  The Commission functions as an advisory body to both the City Council and the Mayor.

Before the commission was formed, there was a two-tiered approach to food needs in Hartford. One tier consisted of government agencies (local, state and federal) delivering food assistance in the form of benefits (such as food stamps) or meals (such as school breakfast). The second tier consisted of dozens of private organizations providing everything from free food to community garden plots.

One of the key functions of the commission has been to bridge the gap between these two approaches. The commission does so by addressing a number of topics that have an impact on issues of food security in the city. These include transportation, land use, advocacy to local, state and federal government, education, business development, health, monitoring, emergency food supplies, and the role of the private sector.  Through its research and advocacy, the Advisory Commission acts as Hartford's unofficial "Department of Food." 

 To read the section of the City of Hartford Municipal Code that established the Commission,
 click here: 

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The Mission of the Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy is:

 ·        To eliminate hunger as an obstacle to a happy, healthy and productive life in the city;

 ·        To ensure that a wide variety of safe and nutritious food is available for city residents;

 ·        To ensure that access to food is not limited by economic status, location or other factors beyond a resident's control;

     ·        To ensure that the price of food in the city remains at a level comparable to the level for the state.

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Powers and Duties of the Commission

          Monitor the availability and quality of food in Hartford

          Collect data on the hunger and nutrition of the city’s residents

          Monitor and analyze the administration of city food distribution programs

          Explore new means for city government to improve the food economy, the availability,   
          accessibility and quality of food and assist the city government in the coordination of its
          efforts.

          Recommend to the city administration adoption of new programs to (or elimination of)
          existing programs as appropriate.

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Current Commissioners

The following food-related organizations or interests currently have staff members who serve on the commission. No organization has a permanent position, so representative composition changes through time. The commissioner's position in his or her own organization is in parenthesis.

End Hunger Connecticut! (assistant director and outreach staff)

Foodshare - regional Second Harvest Food Bank (president)

Hartford Food System (executive director)

Hartford Health and Human Services Department (WIC program director)

Hartford Public Schools Nutrition Education (nutrition consultation service)

Hispanic Health Council (outreach staff)

Knox Parks Foundation - community gardening (director)

Mayor's Office (executive assistant)

United Way Infoline - health and human services information service (outreach staff)

Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut (program officer)

Monthly Meetings

The Commission holds its monthly meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month, in the Function Room of Hartford City Hall. 

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  How to Get Involved

       The Commission can always use volunteers to help survey supermarkets or grocery stores in the Hartford area for its biannual Food Store Price Survey. This requires only about an hour of time, thoroughly checking the prices of about 40 different items in a designated supermarket on a particular Sunday. Please contact the Commission at 860-296-9325 or mpage@hartfordfood.org if you'd like to help or learn more. 

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Website Contact: 311@hartford.gov