Nutrition Assistance programs provide food and cash equivalents to various populations DSS serves. Their goal is to promote adequate nutrition among the target populations.

State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Department of Social Services contracts with the Connecticut Food Bank, Inc. for this program. Connecticut Food Bank, Inc. purchases high protein foods and other nutritionally beneficial supplemental foods in bulk to be distributed by eligible food pantries, emergency shelters and soup kitchens to needy households. Approximately 300 food banks, pantries, shelters, etc. participate in the SNAP program.

SFY 2007 Allocation: $715,000

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

DSS contracts with Connecticut Food Bank, Inc. and Foodshare, Inc. to distribute United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodities to eligible food banks, food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens that serve meals and provide household distribution. These commodities include items such as canned vegetables, fruits, meat, cereals, etc.  For more information on USDA nutrition programs follow link: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

A listing of food pantries and emergency food assistance locations in your area can also be obtained by calling Infoline from any area in the state – just dial  211 or visit: the Infoline website http://www.infoline.org/

FFY 2007 Food Value Allocation: $1,300,000

FFY 2007 Administrative Allocation: $433,000

Program Contacts: 

Jana Engle, TEFAP Coordinator
Connecticut Department of Social Services
25 Sigourney Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5033
Tel. (860) 424-5429, Fax (860) 424-4957
email: Jana.Engle@ct.gov

Nancy Carrington, Executive Director
Connecticut Food Bank, Inc.,
150 Bradley Street,
P.O. Box 8686
New Haven, CT 06531
Tel. (203) 469-5000, Fax (203) 469-4871
http://www.ctfoodbank.org/

Ms. Gloria McAdam, Executive Director
Foodshare, Inc.
450 Woodland Avenue 
Bloomfield, CT 06002-1342
Tel: (860)  286-9999, Fax (860) 286-7860
http://www.foodshare.org/