Food Stamp Usage Grows in North Branford

In the past three years, the number of North Branford residents who received support from the federal food stamp program increased by 119 percent. The latest reports show those needing assistance grew from 136 in 2007 to 298  in 2010.

Now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the food stamp program is available to residents based on their income. For a family of four, the qualifying net monthly income is $1,838.

North Branford/Northford has four retail locations that accept SNAP, including on Route 80 and , and both the Northford and North Branford locations. There are additional locations that accept SNAP in surrounding towns–a list participating stores can be found here. The United States Department of Agriculture reports that for every $5 in new SNAP benefits, nearly twice as much ($9.20) is spent in the community. 

The North Branford Food Bank, based out of the , is open on Fridays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For information, call 203-488-8456. The Northford Food Bank is open on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For information, call 203-488-4575. North Branford's Department of Social Services lists an array of other resources for families in need.

To see how the need for food assistance has grown in other Connecticut towns, click here for information provided by the Hartford Courant.