West Hartford resident Jason Jakubowski is president and CEO of the combined organization, which works across the state to create a thriving community free of hunger.

Submitted

Seven months after a historic merger between the state’s two largest nonprofit anti-hunger organizations, Connecticut FoodBank and Foodshare have a new name: Connecticut Foodshare.

“We began with two organizations that both had incredibly strong followings in Connecticut, so we were hoping to find some way to preserve that history while simultaneously creating something new,” said President & CEO Jason Jakubowski. “Connecticut Foodshare is the one name that both honors our past and projects our future.”

The new name is accompanied by a new tagline (“Our Community. Our Food Bank”) and a new multi-colored logo representing all eight Connecticut counties gathering around a table.

“In the seven months since we announced the joining of these two incredible organizations, we have accomplished so much more than I could have ever imagined,” Jakubowski said. “The need continues to be great – but we are both proud and ready to serve the entire state as Connecticut Foodshare. This truly is our community … and our food bank.”

Connecticut Foodshare worked with Mintz + Hoke out of Avon, Connecticut, on the brand name and identity development. “Also being a local Connecticut organization, Mintz + Hoke is honored to be a part of this momentous rebranding project, as two exceptionally impactful organizations become one. We have confidence that in this new venture as Connecticut Foodshare, they will continue to serve, support, and sustain our communities,” said Ron Perine, managing principal and CEO at Mintz + Hoke.

The brand unites two organizations, cultures, and team members under a new name with a unified mission, vision, and values. What has not changed is the food bank’s commitment to serving neighbors in need and the partner programs, volunteers, and donors who join them in that work.

Connecticut Foodshare is excited about its future and has spent the last seven months focused on addressing hunger more effectively, providing additional support to a network of more than 700 community partners, and integrating its systems and programs.

During the pandemic, Connecticut’s food insecurity has grown by an estimated 14%, to more than 490,000 people, including 131,000 children. As a combined food bank, Connecticut Foodshare distributed food for nearly 47 million meals in the past year, increasing 26% over the prior year.

Connecticut Foodshare headquarters will be in Wallingford at the former Connecticut Food Bank warehouse at 2 Research Parkway. In addition, the food bank will continue to operate a Hartford-area satellite (currently 450 Woodland Avenue in Bloomfield) and its existing satellite location in Bridgeport (at 229 Mountain Grove Street).

To learn more about Connecticut Foodshare, visit www.ctfoodshare.org.

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