Murphy, DeLauro, Blumenthal Celebrate News Thousands of Connecticut Seniors Will Have Increased Access to Healthy Food

NEW HAVEN, CT—Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, and Representatives Rosa DeLauro today announced that Connecticut will be receiving funding from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program for the first time. The final funding amount for Connecticut is still to be determined, but will likely allow thousands of seniors to access healthy food through the program. The seven states receiving funding authorized under the omnibus funding bill signed by the President earlier this week will receive a total of $2.8 million.

Murphy said: “No matter your age or income level, it’s critical to have access to healthy food. That’s why the CSFP funding in the omnibus bill is so important. It will allow thousands of seniors in Connecticut to eat better and ultimately live healthier lives. I was proud to lead the charge in the Senate to secure this new funding, and I will continue to do everything I can to help Connecticut seniors in the future.”

“As a long-standing member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I have been fighting to extend the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to Connecticut and to get funds allocated,” DeLauro said. “We have achieved that. We owe it to our seniors to make their later years as secure and healthy as possible.”

Blumenthal said: “Eating right prevents other kinds of illnesses and health problems. This modest funding is a start-- a toehold in dealing with a dire situation that demands immediate action. We will continue fighting until ever senior in Connecticut and nationwide is helped.”

Four in ten low-income Connecticut seniors have trouble finding enough money for food. However, almost two-thirds do not qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps). The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides much-needed food to seniors who qualify for no other federal government program. It also offers delivery for those who are homebound.


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