Other Food Programs

The State of Connecticut and partners have other food programs to meet your monthly needs.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): If you are at least 60 years of age, CSFP may help you with a monthly food package. CSFP is a federal program designed to help seniors with low-income access healthy food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). We partner with CT Foodshare to deliver these food boxes to CSFP sites. Eligible seniors can pick up one food package a month at a participating location.

Child Nutrition Programs: The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) provides healthy food programs through grants funded by the USDA. The Child Nutrition Programs include the:

  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): CACFP gives healthy meals and snacks to eligible children and adults in participating day care centers, family day care homes, afterschool programs, adult day cares, and emergency shelters. For more information visit: https://portal.ct.gov/sde/nutrition/child-and-adult-care-food-program 
  • Summer Meals Program:All kids 18 years old and younger can eat healthy meals at no cost throughout the summer. To find location near you, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids during the summer and enter your address; or call The USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479); or you can call 211.
  • School Nutrition Programs: School Nutrition Programs provide healthy meals to students in public schools, nonprofit private schools, and residential child care institutions. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) offers low-cost or free lunches at school, along with:
    • School Breakfast Program (SBP): Provides breakfast at school.
    • Afterschool Snack Program (ASP): Offers snacks at afterschool programs.
    • Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP): Supplies fresh produce for snacks at elementary schools.
    • Special Milk Program (SMP): Provides milk to schools not participating in NSLP.
    • Seamless Summer Option (SSO): Offers free meals during the summer.

For more information visit: https://portal.ct.gov/sde/nutrition/school-nutrition-programs

To apply for NSLP, fill out this form and submit it to your child’s school.

  1. Apply on paper in English
  2.  Aplicar en papel en español

CT Fresh Match: CT Fresh Match allows participants to double the fruits and vegetables they purchase at participating farmers’ markets, farmstands, mobile markets, CSAs, co-ops, and other direct-to-consumer outlets across the state.

To find a list of participating CT Farmers’ Markets, go to: https://www.endhungerct.org/services/farmers-markets/

Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): SFMNP helps people age 60 and older, as well as eligible disabled individuals purchase fresh and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, eggs, cut herbs, and honey. You must have a household income of not more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit to participate.

SFMNP runs from June 1st to November 30th each year.

To find a market or distribution site, go to: http://www.ctgrown.gov/FarmersMarkets

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Households with kids under five years of age, new moms, and pregnant or breastfeeding women may be eligible to receive healthy foods, free nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to helpful resources.

Apply For WIC Online

Please fill out the CT WIC Interest Form to begin your application process.  A WIC staff member will contact you with information on how to complete your application.  

CT WIC Interest Form

Find your local WIC office

You can also get started and set up an appointment with your local WIC office. Click HERE to find a WIC office near you.  

Summer EBT (S-EBT): S-EBT is a permanent, nationwide program that began the summer of 2024. It gives families with children extra benefits, like SNAP, to help pay for food in the summer when kids are not in school. Students who qualify for NSLP are automatically eligible for Summer EBT.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): If you are low income, TEFAP can help. TEFAP is a federal program that provides you food to supplement your diet at no cost. We partner with CT Foodshare to provide this healthy food to pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens.

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP): If you receive WIC, you are automatically enrolled in the WIC FMNP. You can use WIC FMNP benefits to buy fresh and unprocessed fruits, vegetables, eggs, and cut herbs at markets.

WIC FMNP runs from June 1st to November 30th each year.

To find a list of participating CT Farmers’ Markets, go to: http://www.ctgrown.gov/FarmersMarkets.