Health and food security

we believe that ALL Families deserve access to healthy, fresh food.

We believe deeply that all families deserve access to healthy, fresh food. Yet too often, this type of food is simply more expensive than low-to-moderate-income families can afford. Through our Healthy Savings program, we are able to make fresh produce more affordable and accessible for children, families, and older adults.

Recognizing that this work cannot be done in a silo, we continue to deepen our partnership and expand our work with the Stamford and Danbury Food Collaboratives. Through these two initiatives, and with the support of dozens of community partners, we are taking a holistic approach to address food insecurity in two of Connecticut’s largest and most diverse cities.

2021-2022 HEALTH IMPACT

Prior to the pandemic, about 30 people would show up twice a month for a few cans of dry goods and some leftover produce. We considered shutting down our food pantry with the onset of the pandemic, However, the lines kept growing longer, doubling in size, and people were depending upon us for food. With the support of united way, we came up with the solution of pre-bagging dry goods for pickup at our front door. united way’s partnership also enabled us to purchase vouchers for the Danbury Farmer's Market, allowing us to provide fresh produce to people in need while also supporting our local farmers.

—Association of Religious Communities (ARC), United Way Funded Partner

2021-2022 Initiatives

  • The Healthy Savings Program provides $10 each week to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating retailers. In addition, shoppers can also save up to $50 per week on pre-qualified healthy food staples, such as lean meats, milk, bread, eggs, yogurt, cheese, beans, and more. Through a partnership with Fairfield University, we’ve expanded our data collection and analysis to determine the impact that this program has on ALICE.

  • More than 3,400 individuals and families in the greater Danbury community benefited from a drive-thru food distribution that took place each Saturday in August, September, and October at Danbury HS.

    The distributions were part of a partnership between United Way of Western Connecticut, Connecticut Foodshare, the City of Danbury, Danbury Public Schools, and Walnut Hill Community Pantry.

  • The Danbury and Stamford Food Collaboratives serve as a convener of food pantries, congregate meal providers, and other organizations addressing food insecurity in both Danbury and Stamford. Each Collaborative has nearly two dozen organizations that join monthly meetings to discuss food insecurity, opportunities for food rescue and delivery, client needs and trends, and other shared concerns.

    Both Collaboratives publish a quarterly food guide, “A Guide to Accessing Food,” in multiple languages.

    More information on the food collaboratives is available here: Danbury | Stamford

  • Single Care seeks to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families, and individuals with no prescription drug coverage by $100 million. The Single Care prescription drug discount card can save individuals an average of 20% or more.

    Single Care prescription drug discount cards are being distributed free of charge by United Way of Western Connecticut. In Western CT, 6,223 individuals saved $724,389 on prescriptions using SingleCare.

The Healthy Savings Program increases access to fresh, healthy foods with a convenient and dignified shopping experience at local supermarkets. It helps members with limited budgets increase their purchasing power and put more fresh fruits and vegetables on the table. Healthy Savings members have greater budget flexibility and enjoy more fresh produce that supports better health.

—Tida Infahsaeng, Food Policy Manager