$300 Grocery Benefit, August Primaries, and Black Business Month

August 6, 2026
Here are the sections in today's email:
  • Immediate Grocery Relief
  • August Primary Reminder
  • Investing in Affordable
    Child Care
  • Black Business Month
  • Farmers' Market Week
 

Immediate Grocery Relief

Thousands of families, including households with children, just lost access to SNAP benefits because of new federal changes. This comes at a time when we have worked so hard to expand access to free school meals and reduce food insecurity.

In response, Governor Ned Lamont has announced a one-time $300 grocery benefit, for eligible households. The benefit is accessible on a prepaid virtual grocery card – not an existing EBT card – and can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercard or Visa at any food retailer.

Individuals qualify if they lost SNAP eligibility due to the federal changes that took effect on December 1, 2025, and are no longer receiving SNAP benefits.

The program is funded by $8.5 million in Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund, which Governor Lamont approved to help residents affected by recent federal policy changes.

We understand this one-time benefit cannot fully replace the assistance that many families have lost, but it will provide immediate relief for those who are really in need.
Learn more about eligibility and how to access the benefit
 

August Primary Reminder

Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 11, in municipalities where more than one candidate from the same political party has qualified for a particular office.

The primary will be preceded by seven days of early voting, from now through August 9. Please look at the graphic below for voting hours during that time frame.

The early voting location in Bridgeport is at:

  • Margaret Morton Government Center, Conference Room A & B
    999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT

In Connecticut, only registered members of a political party may vote in that party's primary. Voters who wish to participate in a different party's primary must first update their party affiliation. Under Connecticut law, voters who change their party affiliation must wait three months before they are eligible to vote in their new party's primary.

For additional election information and resources, click here to visit the Secretary of the State's election webpage.

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, you no longer need to provide a specific reason to request one for any primary or election.

Connecticut has a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in a primary must enroll in a political party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the primary (August 10), provided they have been unaffiliated for at least three months.
Click here to update your party affiliation
 

Investing in Affordable Child Care

I am pleased to share the state is making another historic investment to help individuals and families afford high-quality child care. The state is depositing an additional $411.7 million in surplus funding into the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Endowment,  increasing the total value to more than $700 million.

Created in 2025 through Public Act 25-93, which I was proud to support, the endowment serves as a permanent funding source to strengthen and expand Connecticut’s early childhood education system. This investment will help create thousands of new child care spaces, lower costs for working families, expand access in underserved communities, and support providers across the state.

Beginning in 2028, eligible families are expected to receive free or reduced-cost early childhood education through the Early Start CT program. Families with annual household incomes of up to $100,000 annually qualify for free child care, while those earning more will pay no more than 7% of household income.

Affordable, reliable child care is essential for children to thrive and for parents to succeed in the workforce. This long-term investment will give families the support they need while helping build a stronger economy and a brighter future for the next generation.
 

Black Business Month

August is Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs whose innovation, hard work, and dedication strengthen Bridgeport's economy and enrich our community.

Supporting Black-owned businesses is a meaningful way to invest in our neighborhoods. Whether you're dining at a local restaurant, shopping at a neighborhood store, or using a local service, every purchase helps create jobs, support families, and keep dollars circulating in our local economy.

Bridgeport is home to a diverse and growing network of Black-owned businesses, from restaurants and retail shops to professional services, wellness providers, and more.

CLICK HERE to explore a directory of Black-owned businesses in Bridgeport and discover a new local favorite.
 

Farmers' Market Week

It's Connecticut Farmers' Market Week, a great time to celebrate the farmers, vendors, and volunteers who make our local farmers' markets such an important part of our communities.

Farmers' markets do more than provide fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and other products. They strengthen our local economy, support family farms, improve access to healthy food, and create welcoming gathering places where neighbors can connect.

The Connecticut Farmers' Market Association plays a vital role in supporting these markets through education, advocacy, and resources that help them thrive.

If you're looking to shop local, here is the farmers' market in our area:

  • The Farm Stand at Bridgeport Hospital
    Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    200 Mill Hill Avenue
  • The Farm Stand at St. Vincent's
    Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The market accepts food assistance benefits, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) helping ensure that fresh, nutritious food is accessible to more families.