about us
The Community Action Task Force (CATF) along with several supporting organizations strives to help bring a full service grocery store and health promoting services to The North End of Hartford
In partnership with various supporting organizations, we are promoting the development of the Healthy Hartford Hub (‘HHH’ or ‘The Hub’).
The Hub is a proposed mixed-use development to be located near the intersection of Main Street and Albany Avenue in Hartford which aims to incorporate a full-service grocery store, health-promoting services, and other retail space to serve residents of Hartford, especially those in the North End, Asylum Hill, and Downtown neighborhoods.
CATF support organizations include the Invest Health partners (United Way, UConn, City of Hartford Dept of Health & Human Services, Trinity Health/St. Francis, and Hartford Food System), along with Wellville, LISC, and Hartford Community Loan Fund.
Health outcomes of residents in the
North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ) are among the worst in Connecticut and reflect significant disparities when compared to outcomes of residents of the city’s downtown neighborhood and other communities in the region. Key disparities with a substantial impact on life expectancy include diet- related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Why the HHH Is Essential For The Health Of Hartford Residents
Diabetes
Rates Among Group (census tract)
Connecticut
Downtown (5021)
Upper Albany - NHPZ (5014)
City of Hartford
0
10
20
30
40
A resident in Hartford's NHPZ is more than 4x as likely to suffer from diabetes as a resident in the city's downtown neighborhood.
Hypertension
Rates Among Group (census tract)
Connecticut
Downtown (5021)
Upper Albany - NHPZ (5014)
City of Hartford
0
20
40
60
1 out of 2 black women in the NHPZ suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), a rate nearly 50% higher than experienced by caucasian women statewide.
Obesity
Rates Among Group (census tract)
Connecticut
Downtown (5021)
Upper Albany - NHPZ (5014)
City of Hartford
0
20
40
60
A Hartford resident living three blocks north of Dunkin Donuts stadium is 2x as likely to suffer from obesity as a resident living 3 blocks south of the stadium. Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of diabetes, high blood pressure,
heart disease and stroke.
Why Is Our Main Focus On A
Full Service Grocery Store?
122.5K
Residents call Hartford
their home
1
Full Service Grocery Store
in our capital city
$60m
In possible lost revenue due to the lack
of a full service grocery store &
other anchor retail shopping choices
*Number of full service grocery stores
available to North Hartford Residents within
walking distance/one bus ride.
0
*
Albany & Main?
Why
IF ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS OF A NEW GROCERY STORE IS TO SERVE NORTH END RESIDENTS, WHY FOCUS ON THE INTERSECTION OF MAIN STREET AND ALBANY AVENUE?
SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS
We’ve seen too many grocery stores open and close in the north end (remember all the grocery stores in Unity Plaza?)
MARKET STUDY
To find out if and where a store could be sustainable, a 2017 independent market study (with 2019 update) projected Main/Albany to be the best location for a successful, sustainable full-service supermarket
LOCATION MATTERS
The Main/Albany intersection is within 10 minutes of most north end households, whether they own a vehicle or not, and within 15 minutes of all north end residents.
ACCESSIBILITY
Nine bus lines from the north end come through the Main/Albany intersection.
4 Prongs
To Build A Healthier HARTFORD
ONE
Full service grocery store stocked with healthy and high quality food including produce, meat and seafood department, etc.
two
Health promoting services focusing on holistic health, diet and family oriented activities
three
A thriving district and destination of BIPOC owned small businesses
four
Affordable homeownership programs for mixed incomes
At a deeper level each prong addresses needs of the community found through surveys and one on one conversations conducted in and around the North Hartford location.
The location of the full service grocery store in the Arrowhead Gateway area just outside of Downtown Hartford (the intersection of Albany Avenue and Main Street) serves as a “meeting point” for the city with 9 bus routes running through or nearby.
This space, also called the Healthy Hartford Hub can also serve as a “hub” for the health of our city, with several proposed development projects such as unique retail and restaurant businesses many of which will be owned by BIPOC community members, play fields, fitness and community centers, green spaces and space for walking, talking and meeting, plus more which will knit the community together as a destination for not just purchasing food but also for forging connections.
Hear Our Stories
Members of the CATF had the opportunity to attend to attend the 2022 convening of the five Wellville communities
where they shared their WHY's and what keeps them committed to bringing a full service grocery store and other health promoting services to our community. Below are a few of the stories of Hartford attendees on why the HHH is needed in our community
How To
Get Involved
We Need Your Help To Advocate for Healthy Food Options & Opportunities
Attend A Meeting
We meet every 2nd Thursday of the
Month Via Zoom
Join The CATF
Membership requirements are simple: attend our monthly meetings and share your opinions and ideas!
Refer Your Friends & Neighbors
We're stronger together! Share our message and help us recruit new members and supporters!
Tell Us About Your Experiences
Let us know how you currently access healthy food and any ideas you have for making food more accessible
CONNECT WITH US
Join our email list and stay in the loop!
Follow @healthyhartfordhub on all the platforms below!
