By Liz Leamy
Food insecurity is a major issue, even in an affluent town such as Greenwich, especially considering how the cost of food has increased by more than six percent in 2023 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, designating The Foodshed Network’s forum held at the Greenwich Town Hall last Tuesday as critical a platform as ever for people in the community.
This enlightening event, titled ‘A Tale of Two Towns: Addressing Food Insecurity in Greenwich’ drew a packed house of more than 60 attendees who filled up the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room, indicating the ongoing significance of this issue and ways to continue to support and figure out solutions to help individuals and families in need to overcome barriers to access nourishing and affordable food.
Organized and implemented by The Foodshed Forum, a program of The Foodshed Network in collaboration with the Greenwich Conservation Commission, is a multi-platform education and convening initiative based in town working toward food system transformation in Greenwich and throughout Fairfield County, this forum was enlightening, informative and inspirational in all regards.
“The objectives of this discussion are first to convene as a community and learn from our panelists about the impacts of food insecurity in Greenwich,” said Ali Ghiorse, Founder of The Foodshed Network. “The second is to reframe the narrative and highlight food justice initiatives that include and go beyond food assistance programs. Third, explore and support initiatives that will help all of us grow and center food justice and equity in Greenwich.”
This forum was moderated by Ghiorse and featured three speakers, Danielle Blaine, the Greenwich Liason at Food Rescue US, Rob Moore, Greenwich United Way Vice President of Community Impact and Demetria Nelson, Greenwich Department of Human Services Commissioner.
Among many vital things, this forum addressed the fact that although Greenwich is generally regarded to be one of the most affluent areas in the U.S., food insecurity is still a challenge for scores of individuals and families within the community.
“We hope this evening leads to more conversation and action in regard to this matter,” said Ghiorse.
According to the Community Eligibility Provision’s Annual Notification of Schools’ School Level Data for 2023 to 2024, four of Greenwich’s 15 public schools have a marked percentage of their student bodies who are eligible for free and reduced meals based on participation in other means-tested programs.
Of the nearly 9,000 students enrolled in the Greenwich Public School system, these statistics correlate to more than 16 percent, or 1,500 of its students, currently qualifying for free and reduced-cost lunches.
Further, according to the Greenwich United Way’s 2020 Needs Assessment report, it was found that seven percent of the town’s population lives below poverty level, making this issue even all the more critical.
Certainly, with all of the information out there in regard to food insecurity occurring in the area, this forum served as a truly significant platform in terms of discussing planned initiatives and other types of solutions, talked about by the many committed and generous individuals and organizational representatives within the community involved with Greenwich Food Alliance, a second program of The Foodshed Network and this matter as a means to help continue ameliorating this matter.
Currently, some of the standout organizations in Greenwich that have been providing support and resources in regard to food provisions for individuals or families in need partnered with The Foodshed Network include Neighbor to Neighbor, the Greenwich United Way, Greenwich Land Trust, Barbara’s House, Food Rescue US/Fairfield County and the Greenwich Department of Human Services, among other dedicated factions.
According to Ghiorse, it’s also all about approaching the issue of food insecurity from a moral perspective as well as factual with the purpose of handling everyone involved in the process with heart, care and understanding.
Those in attendance at the forum 100 percent agreed.
“Talk to people in your neighborhood to identify the greatest needs. Mutual aid is showing love for your community without asking anything in return,” said Reggy Saint Fortcolin, Founder of Fridgport in Bridgeport, Proponent of the Food Nutrition Policy Analysts and a Food Justice Thought Leader for the State of Connecticut. “This is a positive thing and really good starting point. Brick by brick, we build a house.”
Janet Stone McGuigan, Town of Greenwich Select Person who is a Board Member of Barbara’s House, a Greenwich-based social service agency dedicated to building skills to help empower clients overcome educational, social and economic barriers, also spoke on this all-important topic.
“I think this is a continual concern and it’s wonderful to see the support of everyone in the community,” said Stone McGuigan. “It’s important to consider the dignity of everyone involved. It’s like layers of the onion. Once we think about it, it ripples and goes much deeper.”
In seeing the incredible level of intent, organization, dedication and focus of so many individuals and organizations committed to solving food insecurity here in the community, this situation certainly seems to be in a good state and seems to be one that is only continuing to get better so that everyone is fulfilled in all respects.
“It is such a great and positive thing to be part of this forum and we’re all working hard to try and make things even better,” said Saint Fortcolin, who is also the Conservation Outreach Manager of Aspetuck Land Trust that serves the towns of Easton, Weston, Monroe, Fairfield, Westport and Bridgeport on behalf of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council.
For more information about The Foodshed Network’s work, please visit:
www.thefoodshednetwork.org
