About Us

Healthy communities where everyone has equal access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.

When WHEAT was first founded in 1975 by the West Haven Clergy Association, it was built upon the idea that access to high quality, nutritious food was a basic human right and social justice issue. Almost 50 years later, WHEAT still operates under this belief as we envision a community where people are not struggling to meet their basic needs, and instead everyone has the ability to and opportunity to grow, thrive, and fulfill their potential.

To promote food security and health in our communities by providing essential food assistance, addressing basic needs, and advocating for lasting solutions to food insecurity.

WHEAT firmly believes that food assistance should not be a source of shame, and consequently we dedicate ourselves to serving our guests in the most dignified, respectful, and professional manner possible. In addition to helping individuals and families gain greater access to nutritious food, improving their overall health, food assistance programs are economic stabilizers, reducing a household’s monthly expenses and allowing them to spend their money elsewhere. When viewed through this lens, food assistance can be understood as just one of many resources an individual or family can utilize to help temporarily bridge the gap until they can maintain financial stability.