Established in 1978, the Hartford Food System (HFS) is a private, non-profit organization working to create an equitable and sustainable food system that addresses the underlying causes of hunger and poor nutrition facing lower-income and elderly Connecticut residents. HFS has developed dozens of projects, initiatives, and coalitions that tackle a wide range of food cost, access, and nutrition problems. In more recent years, the organization has extended its reach to develop food projects and to provide training and technical assistance throughout Connecticut as well as to communities across the country. This work includes active participation in a number of public policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal government levels that affect community-based food systems.HFS relies on a collaborative approach, engaging the talents of farmers, government policy makers, local non-profit organizations, local communities, chefs, educators, and the commercial food sector. HFS directs its efforts at four major food system components: production, distribution, education and training, and public policy.