The Whole Foods Markets in West Hartford Center and Bishops Corner, as well as the location in Glastonbury, will hold a ‘5 percent’ day on Wednesday, with donations supporting Hartford Food System’s Mobile Market and Little City Sprouts.

Submitted

On Wednesday, April 6, the three Whole Foods Market stores in Greater Hartford will join forces to help fund Healthy Eating programs for kids and families in Hartford. Whole Foods Market stores in West Hartford Center (50 Raymond Rd., Blue Back Square), Bishops Corner (340 North Main St.) and Glastonbury (55 Welles St.) will donate 5 percent of that day’s sales to the non-profit Hartford Food System to help fund two projects: the Hartford Mobile Market and Little City Sprouts.

Volunteers and staff from the Hartford Mobile Market and Little City Sprouts will be at the three stores from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well as from 3 p.m. to 7 pm on Wednesday, April 6 to thank customers for shopping and discuss their programs.

The Hartford Mobile Market

The Hartford Mobile Market, which began operating in December 2014, addresses food insecurity by bringing affordable and culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables directly to under-served, low-income neighborhoods in Hartford. The unmistakably bright blue bus brings a unique combination of CT-Grown and international products to thousands of Hartford residents across several Hartford neighborhoods. The Mobile Market, which operates year-round, accepts SNAP, WIC, debit and cash. Incentives are offered to SNAP participants. The Mobile Market is a collaboration between Hartford Food System and the Hispanic Health Council, who provides nutrition education and evaluation for the program.

Little City Sprouts

Little City Sprouts introduces preschoolers to gardening, nutrition through fresh foods, and healthy snack preparation. The program is run in three 6-week sessions, with each class beginning with a lesson on gardening, followed by hands on learning in the garden, and finally, a cooking and nutrition segment. At the end of the six weeks, the “sprouts” go on a field trip to either a farmers market or urban farm to get a deeper understanding of the food system. By the end of the session, our young participants have a better understanding on where food comes from, how food grows, and the characteristics of healthy foods.

“…thank you for all you did with the children and families. The teachers loved the program! Apple-picking […] was wonderful. The seed was planted and we are looking forward [to] more activities this coming spring! Thanks so much!”  – Carmen, Master Teacher – Program Coordinator at a Little City Sprouts site

About Hartford Food System

Since 1978, Hartford Food System has been dedicated to addressing problems of food security in Hartford. Their mission is to fight hunger and improve nutrition in the community. Their goal is a healthy, culturally-responsive, just, resilient and sustainable food system that meets the needs of all community members. They do this by implementing programs that improve access to nutritious and affordable food, helping consumers make informed food choices, advocating for a robust and economically sound food system, and promoting responsible food policies at all levels of government. The Hartford Food System approach links the well-being of urban communities with sustainable agriculture, a more equitable food economy, and food justice, with activities based in the following strategies:

1) Increase access to normal food outlets;

2) Deepen the connection between consumers and agricultural production;

3) Increase community capacity to advocate for a healthy and just food system; and

4) Advance public policies to improve the affordability and quality of food.