Farmers are the heart of our region: providing fresh produce, caring for the land, and nourishing our community. With farmers being key to our local food system and conservation priorities, it is crucial that they too are supported.
The Cheshire County Conservation District recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to support this program. All proceeds will go directly to making solar more accessible to local farmers.
Your donation today, increases the viability of local farms, advances the sustainability of our region, and in turn, strengthens our local food system!
Join NOFA-NH and the NH Farm to School Network for a virtual information session and live Q & A to learn more about the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement program, a bill submitted to the NH state legislature, on Friday, January 21st from 12 – 1 PM.
The reimbursement program will incentivize NH school districts to purchase locally grown and produced food for breakfast and lunch services in cafeterias across the state, boosting youth health and wellness, agricultural viability by:
Providing New Hampshire students access to fresher, nutrient dense local foods.
Injecting $1.8 million federal and state funds into New Hampshire’s farm and food economy annually.
Educating New Hampshire students about the variety of fruits, vegetables, and other products grown and produced both locally and regionally.
Learn more about this exciting opportunity to support NH students and our state’s food system from Rep. Alexis Simpson (primary bill sponsor) and Rep. Megan Murray (bill sponsor). Hear about how similar programs are working in our neighboring states, the efforts of the NH Farm to School Network, and how you can help ensure this vital bill becomes a law.
A Comprehensive Gaps and Asset Analysis in Children’s and Families’ Food Security Programs in the Monadnock Region
The Monadnock Region Food Access Analysis (MRFAA) was conducted by Southwest Region Planning Commission during the spring of 2021 on behalf of the Monadnock Children’s Food Access Alliance (MCFAA), led by the Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition (MFCC).
Several findings include: – Childhood food insecurity rates in Cheshire and Sullivan counties are higher than the state average – Lower-income food insecure people who are not eligible for SNAP have difficulty buying food – Lack of transportation, specifically, lack of a car, is the number two risk factor for food insecurity. The towns of Keene, Peterborough, Alstead, Sullivan, and Swanzey have the highest percentages of households without vehicles
“We knew prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that food security and access programs in our region were underused,” says Roe-Ann Tasoulas, MCFAA coordinator. “The pandemic accelerated the need for a gap and asset analysis of all food access programs, and to connect directly with individuals and families experiencing food insecurity to better increase opportunities to access affordable, healthy food and participation in programs.”
The MCFAA is a diverse network of partners committed to improving the overall health of children and families in the Monadnock Region through increasing access to affordable, healthy food. Partners include: farm service organizations, extension educators, food pantry managers, public health representatives, food policy experts, and educators.
The County of Cheshire worked with the MCFAA to submit a grant proposal to the NH Children’s Health Foundation to implement a food access analysis in Fall 2020. The grant was awarded and the SW Region Planning Commission was chosen to implement the analysis. The MRFAA is the resulting report.
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to identify and analyze the prevalence of household food insecurity. Over 196 participants were interviewed or surveyed to gather relevant data. Food access points, programs, and services, and the connection between them were mapped, and food system models and best practices were included in the report.
“The food access analysis revealed that poverty is far and away the number one predictor of food insecurity for children and families” states Terry Johnson, Southwest Region Planning Commission. “Prior to the pandemic, 40% of food insecure children living in poverty in Cheshire County didn’t qualify for federal food assistance because they didn’t meet the eligibility requirements.”
The MCFAA will use report findings to develop a 2022-2023 Food Access Plan that addresses key findings and identified gaps in programs and services. “With both poverty and food insecurity rates increasing during the pandemic, creative solutions are needed more than ever,” continues Johnson.
To receive a copy of the MRFAA report, download it here or email coordinator@mfccoalition.org.
The public is invited to attend “2021 Monadnock Region Food Access Report Virtual Community Forum” on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Participants will become familiar with the key findings from the MRFAA report, hear feedback from individuals experiencing food insecurity, and provide input on projects that best address gaps for 2022-2023 implementation.
To register by phone, call (603)852-3198. Following the forum, a recording of the keynote speaker will be uploaded to: http://mfcommunitycoalition.org.
Funding for the MRFAA report was provided by the New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation.
Cheshire County Veterans are honored throughout the year in various ways. Still, in September, thanks to a collaboration with the Cheshire County Conservation District and Cheshire Medical Center’s Center for Population Health, veterans will receive $20 vouchers to spend on food at each of the various Farmer Markets’.
Participating Farmers’ Markets include:
TEAMJaffrey Farmer’ Market on Fridays 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Keene Farmers’ Market on Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hinsdale Farmers’ Market on Sundays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
This is a small community gesture to say “Thank You.” Veterans can return each week during September for a $20 voucher and participate at all three market locations. Veteran status and proof of Cheshire county residency are required.
For more information about Veteran Appreciation Month, contact Benee Hershon at the Cheshire County Conservation District at benee@cheshireconservation.org or leave a voice message at 603-756-298 ext. 3011.
Yarden of Eatin' 