Access to Healthy and Affordable Food
Food is a basic human right, yet many in Hartford face barriers to accessing nutritious, affordable option
Welcome to the Healthy Hartford Hub Community Action Task Force!
We are a coalition of community leaders, organizations, and residents dedicated to creating a healthier, more equitable Hartford. Our mission is to address systemic food insecurity, promote health equity, and drive sustainable economic development.
The CATF was established to transform community food systems and advocate for policies that improve access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. We believe that food is not just nourishment—it is culture, connection, and a cornerstone of community well-being.
Through collaboration, research, and action, the CATF works to:
- Enhance access to healthy and affordable food in Hartford, especially in North Hartford.
- Support BIPOC 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.
Our work is inspired by the lived experiences of Hartford residents and guided by groundbreaking research, including Dr. Kristin Cooksey Stowers’ citizen action research. Together, we are shaping a brighter, healthier future for all.
Introduction to Our Four Pillars
At the heart of the Healthy Hartford Hub Community Action Task Force (CATF) are four interconnected pillars that guide our work and embody our commitment to health equity, community empowerment, and sustainable transformation. These pillars address the root causes of food insecurity and health disparities, ensuring a holistic approach to creating lasting change in Hartford.
Each pillar represents a critical area of focus, and together, they form a comprehensive strategy to improve the lives of Hartford residents, particularly those in the North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ). By addressing these areas simultaneously, we aim to build a resilient community where everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive.
A Promise Zone is a high-poverty area in select urban, rural and tribal communities. Through the Promise Zone Initiative, the Federal government will work strategically with local leaders to boost economic activity and job growth, improve educational opportunities, reduce crime, and leverage private investment to improve the quality of life in these vulnerable areas. North Harford is one of 22 areas in the US with this designation.
Our Four Pillars
BIPOC Business Development
Economic opportunity is essential for community growth
Health-Promoting Services
True health equity requires more than access to food—it demands integrated wellness services
Safe-Affordable Occupied Housing
Stable housing is the foundation of a healthy life
Citizen Action Research
Groundbreaking Insights, Community-Driven Change
The Healthy Hartford Hub’s work is deeply rooted in data and community input. Citizen research, led by Dr. Kristin Cooksey Stowers, provides invaluable insights into the lived experiences of Hartford residents.
Key findings include:
- High rates of food insecurity in the North Hartford Promise Zone.
- Barriers to food access, including affordability and transportation challenges.
- Community-identified solutions, such as the need for a full-service supermarket.
The Photovoice Report highlights personal stories and visual documentation from residents, shining a light on the challenges and opportunities within Hartford’s food system.
This research drives our initiatives, from the Healthy Overlay District proposal to our advocacy for policy changes that center equity and inclusion.
Arrowhead Gateway: A Hub for Transformation
The Arrowhead Gateway is at the heart of the Healthy Hartford Hub’s (HHH) mission to improve food access, health outcomes, and economic opportunity for Hartford residents, particularly in the North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ). This area represents an exciting opportunity for transformational change, anchored by two key initiatives:
Healthy Hartford Hub: A Full-Service Supermarket
A cornerstone of the Arrowhead Gateway revitalization, the Healthy Hartford Hub aims to address Hartford’s food insecurity crisis by developing a 35,000-41,000 square-foot supermarket. This transformative project is designed to:
- Provide fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food to NHPZ residents.
- Return 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.
- Boost Hartford’s economy by generating over 125 construction jobs during its 18-month development phase.
The supermarket is more than a place to shop—it’s a symbol of community resilience, health equity, and economic opportunity for Hartford.
Health Overlay District: Zoning for Health
The Healthy Overlay District is a visionary policy initiative designed to reimagine urban planning in the Arrowhead Gateway area by:
- Incentivizing grocery stores to prioritize healthy food access and community needs.
- Banning fast food establishments near grocery stores to reduce competition and promote healthier eating options.
- Setting stocking standards for corner stores, ensuring that fresh produce and other nutritious items are readily available.
- Offering tax subsidies and other incentives for grocery store operators and health-promoting businesses.
This policy framework ensures that Arrowhead Gateway becomes a model for how urban design and health equity can intersect to benefit residents for generations to come.