Stop & Shop co-sponsors food benefit outreach program

NEW YORK — Supermarket chain Stop & Shop will work with Foodshare to sponsor events at its stores in Hartford, Conn., to help qualifying residents access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit.

About 70% of Connecticut residents who qualify for SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, actually receive the benefit, Stop & Shop said. This is because of such issues as language barriers, lack of transportation or lack of knowledge of the program.

Foodshare works with End Hunger CT! to increase SNAP participation rates by assisting in the application process and ensuring that benefits are accessed in a timely and efficient manner. Stop & Shop is owned by Netherlands-based supermarket operator Royal Ahold, which also owns the Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle chains and the Peapod grocery delivery service.