Connecticut Launches Pizza State License Plates to Benefit Foodshare

# Connecticut’s New “Pizza Plate” License Plate Fights Food Insecurity

Connecticut’s taking a creative swing at food insecurity with a new specialty license plate. The “pizza plate,” rolled out by Governor Ned Lamont, aims to raise hunger awareness while giving a nod to the state’s famous pizza culture.

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This comes at a tough moment, with about one in seven Connecticut residents struggling to get enough to eat. Communities from Hartford to New Haven are feeling the impact.

Food Insecurity Crisis Across Connecticut

Hunger has become a real crisis in Connecticut. Food banks are having a hard time keeping up with the growing need.

Jacob Jakubowski, CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, spoke at the plate unveiling in Hartford. He didn’t sugarcoat the situation.

The Scope of Hunger in the Constitution State

“Food insecurity touches every corner of our state,” Jakubowski said. “Approximately 515,000 residents across all 169 towns in Connecticut experience food insecurity, from Stamford to Waterbury and Bridgeport to New London.”

Recent federal funding cuts made things worse for food banks earlier this year. Connecticut’s food banks managed to secure $9 million in state funding, which helped a bit but didn’t solve everything.

Because of the funding gap, about 35 trailer-loads—roughly 1.6 million pounds—of food never made it to families who needed it. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a lot of folks.

The “Pizza State” License Plate Initiative

The new plate proudly says “The Pizza State” and shows off Governor Lamont’s favorite pepperoni pizza. He introduced it on Monday, mixing pizza pride with efforts to tackle hunger.

How to Purchase the Specialty Plate

You can pick up the pizza-themed plate through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. At first, folks thought proceeds would go to Connecticut Foodshare, but actually, the money goes to the DMV.

Even so, Governor Lamont urged people in Greenwich and everywhere else to support Foodshare directly. He said, “While purchasing the plate shows your Connecticut pizza pride, direct contributions to Foodshare will have the most immediate impact on hunger in our communities,” at the Norwalk event.

Connecticut’s Broader Pizza Promotion Campaign

This license plate is just one slice of Connecticut’s bigger push to celebrate its pizza scene. Earlier this year, the state put up billboards in New York City, bragging about Connecticut’s pizza and stirring up some friendly rivalry.

“Connecticut pizza isn’t just delicious—it’s becoming part of our identity and now part of our efforts to combat hunger,” Lamont said. “From the legendary thin-crust pizzas of New Haven to unique styles found throughout our state, we’re proud to be ‘The Pizza State.'”

Community Response and Impact

The initiative’s gotten a mix of reactions from residents. Some folks love the creative way it draws attention to food insecurity, but others aren’t so sure the license plate program really helps fight hunger.

Food security advocates point out that the license plate raises awareness, but tackling food insecurity takes more than that. They say real progress needs policy changes, stronger community support, and direct help for food banks.

Connecticut Foodshare is still looking for volunteers and donations as the need keeps growing across the state. If you want to pitch in, you can reach out to Foodshare through their website or connect with local outreach programs in towns like Danbury and elsewhere in Connecticut.

Here is the source article for this story: CT rolls out “The Pizza State” vanity license plate, proceeds will go towards CT Foodshare

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