New Haven – On Thursday, the Union League’s second floor buzzed with the sights and smells of Connecticut’s thriving food community as CitySeed presented its 2026 Good Food Awards. The event honored a diverse group of farmers, chefs, volunteers and advocates whose work embodies the state’s tradition of family‑centered stewardship, faith‑inspired service and individual liberty through food security.
Stewardship of Historic Farmland
Elizabeth, George and Anne Hindinger received recognition for preserving the Hindinger Farm in Hamden, a family‑owned operation dating back to 1893. Generations of the Hindinger family have cultivated fruits, vegetables and flowers while welcoming visitors to experience the land’s bounty. Although the property is now for sale, the family’s early enrollment in Connecticut’s Farmland Preservation Program guarantees that the acreage will remain agricultural, ensuring a new generation of farmers can continue the legacy.
Chefs Championing Connecticut‑Grown Ingredients
Chefs Arturo Franco‑Camacho of Shell & Bones and Camacho Garage, and executive chef Carl Carrion of Shell & Bones, were honored for their creativity and unwavering commitment to sourcing ingredients from local farms. CitySeed’s Blaise Berglund presented the awards, noting that every locally grown ingredient carries a story: a farmer who grew it, a chef who chose it, and often a connector who brought the two together.
Advocates Amplify Voices of the Food Insecure
Susan Harris was celebrated for her leadership with Witnesses to Hunger and the Coordinated Food Assistance Network. Harris has spent years ensuring that people experiencing food insecurity have a seat at the table, advocating for dignity‑centered solutions that align with Christian values of caring for the vulnerable.
Long‑Term Community Building
Former CitySeed Community Food Systems Coordinator Tagan Engel was recognized for decades of uniting people through food, stories and advocacy. Engel helped launch the New Haven Food Policy Council and continues to connect farmers, food entrepreneurs and community groups through her work at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment and The Table Underground podcast.
Legislative Leadership
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro received the Chair’s Award for Leadership, honoring her long‑standing support for food‑program funding and nutrition policy, including SNAP, WIC and school meals. DeLauro highlighted how doubling SNAP benefits at CitySeed’s farmers markets enables eligible shoppers to purchase more fresh, locally sourced food while supporting Connecticut growers.
Volunteer Heroes
Two volunteers were highlighted for their dedication. Narasimhan Ganapathisubramanian, known as “G,” earned the Farmers Markets Volunteer of the Year award after his daughter encouraged him to help at the Wooster Square market, where he now assists vendors in all weather conditions. Sharell Simmons, Sanctuary Kitchen’s Volunteer of the Year, began as an intern through Gateway Community College and now studies hospitality management at Southern Connecticut State University while continuing her service. She praised Sanctuary Kitchen, saying it offered a hands‑on learning experience unlike any culinary school.
Showcase of Local Cuisine
Guests sampled dishes from Sanctuary Kitchen and other ventures supported by CitySeed’s food business development program, including Mosaico Venezuelan Cuisine, MeaKai Thai and Black Ginger Catering, all prepared with produce from Connecticut farms.
Looking Ahead: Food Business Incubator
CitySeed unveiled plans for a Food Business Incubation and Resource Center at 162 James Street in Fair Haven. The former industrial building will be transformed into shared commercial kitchens, providing local food entrepreneurs with the tools to grow their businesses and create jobs, reinforcing the community’s economic vitality.
The evening underscored a simple truth: food not only nourishes the body but also builds relationships, culture, opportunity and a stronger, faith‑grounded community.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
