Food Insecurity a Crisis Greater Than CT Resources Can Address, Report Says

Major Policy Changes Needed in Connecticut, Officials Say

by Viktoria Sundqvist

As food prices rise and federal funding falls, food insecurity has grown into a crisis greater than currently allocated state resources can address, according to a recently released report.

The persistence of severe food insecurity statewide is the main highlight of the second annual report released by the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity (CWCSEO). Major structural policy changes are needed to fix it, the report concludes.

“The CWCSEO is tasked with ensuring health, safety, educational success, freedom from poverty, and freedom from discrimination, but food insecurity threatens nearly all of those,” said CWCSEO Co-Chair Karen Jarmoc in a statement. “Hungry kids can’t learn, hungry adults may struggle at work, and hungry residents are at a higher risk of getting sick.”

According to Feeding America estimates, 14.3% of Connecticut residents are food insecure – identical to the national average. This means Connecticut has passed Maine for the highest level in New England, according to the CWCSEO report. 

“DataHaven puts the number at an even higher 16%, a slight decrease from 18% in 2024, but notes continued increases among households with children and overall 100,000 more food insecure residents than before the COVID-19 pandemic,” the commission concluded. 

Food prices increased 23.6% between 2020 and 2025, and then another 3% in 2025, according to the report. Federal support, however, has decreased steadily since 2022. In 2025, many programs were cancelled and eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) changed, which made fewer residents eligible. 

Connecticut is expected to lose $72 million this year and up to $243 million by 2028, according to the report. 

“Food security and food access are critical to the health and well-being of our state residents, and it is an important role of government to consider implementing the best interventions possible to promote health and wellness through nutrition and food access,” said state Rep. Jaime Foster, D-Ellington.

The report makes a number of policy recommendations to the General Assembly, with the main one being to create a special Food & Nutrition fund in the state budget, with consistent funding. It also reiterates recommendations from the 2024 report, such as creating a food business incubator program in Connecticut food deserts.

It also recommends measuring food insecurity at the state level, imposing new food labeling requirements, and developing food education curricula.

“We must make sure, as a state, that our citizens are not going to bed at night with empty stomachs,” state Rep. Jane Garibay, D-Windsor, said. “That’s not who we are.”

CWCSEO Co-Chair Alan Tan said this report is a good starting point for the state to come together and make sure it does not continue to lag behind its neighboring states.