Community Action Task Force – Building Heather communities, together.

Advocating for Healthy Food and Better Health Outcomes in Hartford.

We are a coalition of community leaders, organizations, and residents dedicated to creating a healthier Hartford. Our mission is to address systemic food insecurity, promote health equity, and drive sustainable economic development. Our work is inspired by the lived experiences of Hartford residents and guided by groundbreaking research.

Through collaboration, research, and action, the CATF works to:

Enhance access to healthy and affordable food in Hartford, especially in North Hartford.
Support people representative of the NHPZ area food entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Promote health as a key driver of community transformation.
Advocate for innovative policies like the Healthy Overlay District to sustain long-term change.

Join Us in Building a Healthier Hartford
Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or community advocate, your voice and actions can help shape a healthier Hartford. Get involved today!

A Hub for Transformation

The Healthy Hartford Hub and A Full-Service Grocery Store

The Healthy Hartford Hub and its Community Action Task Force is committed to addressing Hartford’s food insecurity crisis by supporting the establishment of a full-service grocery store and development of the Arrowhead Gateway.

This transformative project will:

provide fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food to North Hartford Promise Zone residents
return an estimated 60% of the $38 million currently spent annually by Hartford residents traveling to nearby towns for groceries
create jobs, employing 75-90 part-time and 20-30 full-time workers in the supermarket alone, with additional retail and health-promoting services generating more positions

This development is more than a place to shop—it is a symbol of community resilience, health equity, and economic opportunity.

Healthy Overlay District: Zoning for Health

The Healthy Overlay District is a visionary policy initiative designed to restructure urban planning in the Arrowhead Gateway area by:

banning development harming our community to promote healthier eating options and lifestyles
establishing stocking standards for corner stores, ensuring that fresh produce and other nutritious items are readily available
incentivizing grocery stores and health-promoting businesses to prioritize healthy food access and community needs.

This policy framework ensures that Arrowhead Gateway becomes a model for lasting revitalization.

40% of residents in the North End of Hartford do not own a vehicle and rely on public transit to do their grocery shopping

North Hartford does not have a full service grocery store.

The proposed grocery store location is within a 15-minute bus ride from any Northside neighborhood

Most families rely on corner stores and must choose from lower quality meats, fruits and vegetables.

Due to primarily food-related diseases, Hartford residents have 16 years less life expectancy than their neighbors in West Hartford

Advocating for Healthy Food and Better Health Outcomes in Hartford.

A Hub for Transformation

Get the latest news!