Creating Access to Healthy, Affordable Food and Better Health Outcomes for Hartford Residents
Based on the strength of the 2017 retail food market study and the results of the Invest Health–Hartford (IH-H) work in the NHPZ, the concept for the Healthy Hartford Hub (HHH) was developed by the IH-H team in collaboration with Hartford Community Loan Fund and the Office of former Mayor of Hartford, Luke Bronin.
The HHH has two primary objectives:
- Improve access to high quality healthy and affordable foods for city residents, especially those in the NHPZ
- Improve health outcomes for city residents, especially those in the NHPZ
With predevelopment funding provided by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (HFPG) in March, 2018, the HHH team began the initial phase of work to develop the Healthy Hartford Hub – a proposed mixed-use development located at the Main/Albany target area which will combine a full-service supermarket, a variety of health-promoting services, and a parking structure. A vacant, city-owned parcel will house the supermarket, while the adjacent, now vacant Sacred Heart church will house some or all of the HHH health-promoting services, which may include a pharmacy, health clinic, wellness studio, community teaching kitchen, and healthy café.
The HHH takes inspiration from other innovative supermarket-anchored health hubs designed to positively impact health outcomes of area residents. These include the Refresh Project in New Orleans and the Brockton Health Hub in Brockton, MA.
Hartford Food Retail Market Study Timeline
March 2017:
- Hartford selected as one of 50 U.S. cities to participate in Invest Health, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Reinvestment Fund initiative.
- Goal: Develop new strategies to improve health outcomes in communities facing the greatest barriers to health.
- Key Findings: Residents of the North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ) faced the most significant barriers to health in the region.
- Hartford ranked 8th worst in the U.S. for providing access to healthy and affordable food among cities of similar size.
- Result: The team engaged NHPZ residents and stakeholders in a comprehensive assessment of the community’s food system.
- Outcome: The top priority was identified as developing a new full-service supermarket providing affordable, high-quality fresh food.
- Result: The team engaged NHPZ residents and stakeholders in a comprehensive assessment of the community’s food system.
Summer 2017:
- Hartford Community Loan Fund and the City of Hartford’s Dept. of Development Services commissioned a market analysis including CATF recommendations.
- Key Data: Proposed 41,000 sf full-service store projected to generate $13.96/psf in initial year, outperforming five largest supermarkets in a four-mile radius.
- Located near the focal point for nine CT Transit bus lines, providing vital access for the 42% of NHPZ households identified as ‘Zero Vehicle’ households.
Fall 2017:
- The analysis confirmed economic viability for a full-service supermarket in Hartford, with NHPZ residents representing the greatest market opportunity.
- Optimal location identified at Main Street and Albany Avenue, near the NHPZ southern border and close to the downtown business district.
Currently: Through a coordinated effort by CRDA, CATF, and other partners, the city of Hartford is seeking supermarket operators to establish a full-service grocery store that emphasizes community development and addresses the food security needs of North End residents.