Certain farmers hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic are now slated to get a new infusion of federal cash. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Wednesday roughly $10 million will go to dairy farmers and the state’s aquaculture industry.
“Our farmers and their teams are essential workers who played a critical role in getting Connecticut through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lamont said in a statement. “This investment will help keep these incredibly important businesses afloat and keep Connecticut families fed.”
In addition to helping farmers, relief money will also extend extra SNAP benefits to qualified people purchasing fruits, vegetables and other products at farmers markets.
The money, which comes from the federal CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, will also support a network of emergency drive-thru food distribution sites through the purchase of “CT Grown” products.
Connecticut Foodshare, which serves all of Connecticut, said in an emailed statement Wednesday the money will keep its emergency distribution spots across the state open through at least the end of October.
Those sites were slated to close at the end of this month.
“We know that nearly 500,000 people are struggling with food insecurity throughout Connecticut, and we also know that the last 18 months have hit our local growers and producers extremely hard,” Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, said in a statement. “This partnership has allowed us to reach more people around the state and to offer support to the local farmers as well, through increased purchases of Connecticut Grown products.”
For those seeking assistance, a list of Foodshare’s distribution sites follows. In a statement, Connecticut Foodshare said each site can serve up to 1,000 households a week and will offer fresh Connecticut-grown produce.
Norwich
Every Monday, • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Parking lot across from Pistol Pete’s Bar and Grill
28 Stonington Road, Norwich, CT 06360
East Hartford
Every Tuesday, • 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Old Showcase Cinemas
936 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118
Norwalk
Every Wednesday, • 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Veteran’s Memorial Park
42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk, CT 06855
West Haven
Every Thursday, • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Vertical Church
225 Meloy Road, West Haven, CT 06516
Bristol
Thursday 10/21 • 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
95 Vincent P Kelly Road, Bristol, CT 06010
Bridgeport
Every Saturday • 7:45 am – 10:30 am
1316 Barnum Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06610
Putnam
Saturday, 10/9, 10/30 • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Putnam Elementary School
33 Wicker St., Putnam, CT 06260
Danbury
Every Saturday • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Danbury High School
43 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06811
