Co-op Announces Grant to Help Farms Grow

December 10, 2016Leave a comment

Monadnock Food Co-op is proud to announce the Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund; a new grant opportunity for local farmers through a partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District.

The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund’s mission is to support local farmers in increasing sustainable food production and wholesale sales to contribute to a thriving local farm economy. This grant supports several of the co-op’s goals, including a healthy, sustainable food system, the support of local farmers and producers and a strong, sustainable and improving local economy.

There will be $9,500 available for the 2017 grant cycle and a Request for Proposals is now available. Proposals are due February 1, 2017.

Funds can be used for a range of needs including the purchase of equipment or infrastructure, packaging and labeling design needs and technical assistance. Eligible applicants include farms in Cheshire County and abutting NH towns who would like to develop or expand their production for wholesale markets, including the Monadnock Food Co-op and Monadnock Menus.

“This grant fund and partnership with CCCD will allow us to provide much-needed capital for our local farm and food economy, creating an increase in the quantity of food that can be produced and consumed locally. We couldn’t be happier to offer this grant fund to farmers who want to increase wholesale production.” Said Michael Faber, Monadnock Food Co-op General Manager.

Tax deductible donations to this fund can be made to the Cheshire County Conservation District. Watch for additional fundraising activities at the Monadnock Food Co-op in the coming months, including the ability to Round Up your purchases to the next dollar or $5 in early 2017.

For more information on eligibility, to apply for a grant, or make a donation to the fund, please visit www.monadnockfood.coop/farmfund or call Amanda Littleton at 603-756-2988 ext 116.

Farm Disaster Relief Fund

December 10, 2016December 10, 2016Leave a comment

The Farm Disaster Relief Fund has $100,000 to help local farmers.

The Monadnock Conservancy, in partnership with an anonymous donor, has created a new fund to support Monadnock region farmers who have been impacted by disasters, including this year’s drought.

Learn more

You’re Invited: Become a NH Eat Local Month Partner

May 1, 2016Leave a comment

Eat-Local-NH-logoRGB_20101-300x198 It’s time to start planning this year’s NH Eat Local Month, an annual event in August that celebrates local food and farming in our state.

This year, New Hampshire Farms Network (NHFN) is collaborating with the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, Seacoast Eat Local and hopefully you to amplify the “Eat Local” message and empower more of us to celebrate the harvest.

We’re looking for partners to help us spread the word and energize all parts of the state to celebrate NH Eat Local Month.

Partners will:

Endorse NH Eat Local Month by sharing their business/organization’s name and logo with us
Provide us with links to any events or promotions they are organizing during NH Eat Local Month
Spread the word by sharing social media posts, adding a link to NHEatLocal.org on their own website and finding other creative ways to engage their fans in NH Eat Local Month

Partners will receive:

A listing on NH Eat Local Month’s Website
Ideas on how to celebrate NH Farms & Local Food all month long
Event marketing templates — such as a press release, social media posts and other materials

How do you sign on as a partner? It’s easy — just send an email to jen@nhfarms.net with an “I’m in!” message and we’ll add you to our list. There’s no cost to you to participate as a partner.

Promotion of this year’s NH Eat Local Month is paid for in part with funds provided by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.

Farmers’ Market of Keene Joins Monadnock Region Earth Festival

April 19, 2016April 19, 2016Leave a comment

The Monadnock Food Co-op is thrilled to announce that the Farmers’ Market of Keene will join this year’s Monadnock Region Earth Festival on April 23, 2016 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Participating vendors include Ruffled Feathers Farm, Wingate Farm, Holland Homestead Farm, Mad Radish CSA, Main Street Cheese, Orchard Hill Breadworks, and Walpole Mountain View Winery.

The entire Monadnock Region Earth Festival runs from noon to 4:00 pm, and takes place outdoors — next to the Co-op — and along the bike path, leading to the Railroad Square Park in Keene. However, the wine tasting by Walpole Mountain View Winery will be held inside the Co-op. This event is free and open to the public.

“The Farmers’ Market of Keene is excited to be a part of this festival to provide and celebrate all that is fresh and local,” said Susie Parke-Sutherland, Co-owner & Manager of Wingate Farm.

Visit www.monadnockfood.coop/earthfestival for updates and a full list of events happening throughout the region during Earth Week.

The Monadnock Region Earth Festival is sponsored by the Monadnock Food Co-op, Antioch University New England and The Peak.