Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford was awarded a two-year, $275,000 grant from the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation to launch the Healthy Bodega Small Business Support Pilot Program, aimed at improving healthy food access in North Hartford.
The hospital has served as a Connecticut anchor institution since 1897, and today operates as a 617-bed Level 1 Trauma Center and major teaching hospital within Trinity Health Of New England.
The program, developed through the Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI) – North Hartford Collaborative with Trinity Health, the YWCA Hartford Region, and other community partners, will help local bodegas increase capacity to sell fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods. It addresses North Hartford's "food swamps," where unhealthy food choices outnumber healthy alternatives, by helping bodegas expand offerings, connect with local growers and distributors, and provide nutrition education.
Carolyn Alessi, Regional Director, Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England, said, "Access to healthy food is fundamental to good health. This investment will help us build on the strengths that already exist in North Hartford by supporting neighborhood business owners, connecting community resources and creating sustainable opportunities for residents to access healthier food options closer to home."
The grant builds on Trinity Health's four-year, $1.2 million TCI investment in Hartford and a 10 percent matching commitment from Saint Francis, together bringing residents, community organizations, and health care providers together to develop community-driven solutions.
"We are grateful to Greater Hartford Gives Foundation for partnering with us to advance this important work," said Tim Stanton, Vice President, Philanthropy, Trinity Health Of New England. "This grant will help turn a resident-generated vision into action while creating a model that can inform future efforts to improve food access, support small business and promote health equity across our community."
