Mayor Justin Elicker's proposed $733.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27 does not include $345,439 in city funding for the Coordinated Food Assistance Network, a coalition that provided school break meals, food pantry grants, and federal benefits enrollment assistance to thousands of New Haven residents in the current fiscal year.
The budget, introduced February 27, would increase total city spending by 4.4 percent over the current year. It also proposes raising the mill rate from 39.4 to 40.98 — roughly a 4 percent tax increase for property owners. The Board of Alders has authority to amend the mayor's proposed budget before a final vote, which must occur by June 1.
New Haven: What CFAN Does with City Funding
The Coordinated Food Assistance Network (CFAN) is a coalition of more than 60 food-assistance organizations formed in 2019 by CARE (Community Alliance for Research and Engagement) and emergency food providers across the New Haven area. Member organizations include roughly two dozen food pantries, soup kitchens, and direct-services programs.
In FY 2025-26, the $345,439 allocated to CFAN by the Board of Alders — the first time the city had invested general fund dollars in food insecurity initiatives — funded three core programs. Two SNAP outreach workers, hosted by United Way of Greater New Haven, helped eligible residents apply for federal food assistance. Direct grants of $165,000 were distributed to 15 local food pantries for food purchases and equipment. And a school break grocery program provided groceries to New Haven Public Schools students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch — over winter break alone, that program served 1,189 students and 1,183 family members.
CFAN Asks Alders to Restore and Expand Funding
CFAN advocates are asking the Board of Alders not only to restore the $345,439, but to increase city food aid investment to at least $500,000. The coalition submitted a broader request totaling $993,000 for eight initiatives, including $285,000 for the school break grocery program, $240,000 in direct pantry food procurement funding, $60,000 for a SNAP outreach worker, and $75,000 for a full-time community health worker to connect pantry clients with additional services.
Nearly 20 residents signed up to speak at the Finance Committee public hearing held March 31 at City Hall, 165 Church St.
"When budgets don't add up — when rent is too high, when medication costs too much — food is often the first need to go unfulfilled," said Kim Hart, a CFAN advocate. "When you're hungry, you can't do anything."
Steve Werlin, executive director of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, a CFAN partner organization, warned that cutting city funding would signal that elected officials don't value the work. "Called upon over and over again each year to fill in the gap," Werlin said. "It means that our city is saying, 'We don't value what you do.'"