A survey of 400 Hartford residents shows that 65 percent believe fresh, healthy foods are too expensive. The residents also want childcare programs to offer healthy food options.
The survey was commissioned by the American Heart Association’s Hartford Accelerating National Community Health Outcomes through Reinforcing (ANCHOR) Partnerships Program. It is part of an overall initiative to improve access to healthy foods in underserved communities.
The survey revealed a number of additional noteworthy findings on healthy food access from Hartford residents:
- 82 percent believe it is very important for local childcare programs to offer healthy food options.
- 70 percent strongly support matching a portion of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) so people can spend more on healthy foods.
- Respondents would also like to see an increase in the number of farmers’ markets and wider acceptance of the SNAP at farmers’ markets and mobile markets.
- A majority of women, parents and young adults see healthy foods as too expensive.
“Making healthier food more accessible to all will greatly improve health outcomes and move us closer to our goal of reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke,” said Dr. Seth Lapuk, pediatric cardiologist and American Heart Association of CT/Western Massachusetts board president.
He said obese children as young as 3 years old show indicators for developing heart disease later in life.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said local schools and the state Department of Children & Families have been making great efforts to promote healthy foods. “To keep Hartford healthy and strong, we need to continue working hard to make sure that healthy food and beverage options are available,” he said in a statement.
