May 25, 2023
Hartford HealthCare has long believed that the health of a community goes beyond the physical and emotional well-being of individuals and also includes meeting social and community needs. This year, in addition to road races and community health fairs, HHC has pledged a new kind of sponsorship to an important local event as a “beneficiary sponsor” of Hartford Taste, a two-day food and music festival at downtown Hartford raising money for Connecticut. Food sharing. Connecticut Foodshare is a statewide nonprofit that tackles the root causes of hunger, creates long-term solutions, and distributes nutritious food through local partner programs. “Hartford HealthCare is an essential part of our community, and we support local businesses and programs every day,” said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare. “Our support of Connecticut Foodshare through the Hartford Taste event is a great example of how we partner with businesses and nonprofits – addressing social and community needs.” The $10,000 sponsorship goes directly to Connecticut Foodshare, which ensures the organization can provide food for 20,000 meals to individuals and families in need across the state, said Jason Jakubowski, president and chef. from the management of Connecticut Foodshare. This is especially important for a weather-dependent fundraising event. “Knowing that we will definitely have $10,000 from Hartford HealthCare is absolutely awesome,” says Jakubowski. “It’s a great feeling. With events depending on the weather and the number of people present, well, this sponsorship gives us a little insurance. Connecticut Foodshare partners with a network of 650 food pantries, meal programs and mobile distribution sites to deliver food to those in need. Last year, it provided nearly 39 million healthy meals. “People think there’s no hunger in Connecticut,” Jakubowski says. “In all 169 cities, there is at least one family in need. We estimate that there are 420,000 food insecure people in the state. In a state where there is a lot of wealth, there is a significant amount of poverty. More than 30 Hartford restaurants combine with about 30 musical acts for two days of fun, says Marc Sherer, organizer of Hartford Taste. This is the second year of the event, which was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. A percentage of profits are donated to Connecticut Foodshare. The $10,000 commitment from Hartford HealthCare “is a really generous amount,” Sherer says. “This shows Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to the city and state.” David Juros, a food medicine consultant at Hartford Hospital, notes that access to fresh, healthy food is important for the overall health of the population. “It’s important in two different ways,” he says. “Food has become expensive and healthy food is even more expensive. Also, some areas do not have full grocery stores. It’s a matter of access and affordability. Juros goes on to say, “It’s also about helping people achieve their health goals. Adding healthier foods to their diet can help them overcome health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and more. The event will take place Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, from noon to 9 p.m., at Constitution Plaza in Hartford.
