5 Awesome Reasons to Eat Local

When we support local food and farming operations, we are contributing to a more resilient and connected community where all neighbors are empowered to access healthy local food, local farmers are supported and the land is nourished, and all people share a common sense of place!

These words are our vision statement here at the Kearsarge Food Hub - it’s the North Star that guides our nonprofit work in the food system.

August is NH Eats Local month here in New Hampshire, we're celebrating the tremendous impact of choosing local food. It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be 100% of the time, but a little bit of local love where and when we're able goes a really long way.

Here are 5 awesome reasons to eat local this August and all year long!

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#1: Freshness & Quality

Chef Julio showcasing new menu items in Sweet Beet Cafe.

In other words, because it tastes so darn good! Local food is often fresher than food that has been transported long distances - an average of 1,500 miles in the industrial food system. This means it’s usually harvested at peak ripeness, resulting in better flavor, nutrition, and overall quality. Just taste test a grocery store tomato and farmers market tomato and you’ll taste the difference!

#2: Strong Local Economies

Farmer Jake harvesting tomatoes on Sweet Beet Farm.

Dollars spent on local food often stays in the community, supporting local jobs, businesses, and farmers, which can lead to a more vibrant and resilient local economy. Knowing our farmers and food producers means we know more about whether our dollars go to food businesses that are in line with our values. We can vote with our dollars!

#3: Environmental Sustainability

A child enjoys the harvest of a yellow pepper on Sweet Beet Farm.

Local farming typically involves shorter supply chains, which means reduced transportation emissions and less packaging waste. Additionally, local farmers are often more invested in regenerative practices that protect the environment, promote biodiversity, and help restore our natural systems to a healthy balance! These practices also help ensure food security for future generations!

#4: Connect with Nature

Sweet Beet Farm Manager Pierre holds several bunches of rainbow carrots.

Eating local food encourages us to eat with the seasons. This not only enriches diets with a variety of fresh produce filled with the goodness of our local biology, but also allows us eaters to form a deeper connection with the cycles of nature through the foods that we eat. And it’s a fun challenge to incorporate as many local foods as possible into our meals!

#5: Grow Community

Apprentices and volunteers on Sweet Beet Farm harvest and clean up fresh beet bunches.

Buying from local farms, farmers’ markets, retailers and restaurants grows our community connections! It gives us the chance get to know the people who grow our food and each other as neighbors. We all need to eat, and when we come together to ‘break bread’ - enjoy and share in our local bounty - we’re nurturing the common ground that unites us.

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Why Flowers? Three benefits of adding blooms to your small farm

As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, and pressure from industrial scale agriculture makes it increasingly difficult for small scale operations, small farm businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to thrive and differentiate themselves. One method for enhancing small farm viability is the integration of flowers into farming operations. 

This year, the Kearsarge Food Hub launched a Flower Farmer Apprentice Program as part of our efforts to grow new farmers. While we’ve previously focused on teaching apprentices how to grow vegetables with regenerative practices, this is the first year we’ve integrated flowers into the mix. 

Sarah Nelson is our flower farmer apprentice, and her work is a shining example of our commitment to education, community engagement, and setting new and beginning farmers up for success. The flowers she cultivates are not only beautiful but also a testament to the hard work and dedication embedded in our Farmer Apprentice Program.

While food crops are vital for feeding communities, adding flowers can provide a plethora of ecological, economic, and social advantages. Here are three key benefits of incorporating flowers into your small farm business.

1. Supporting Pollinators

One of the most critical roles of flowers in agriculture is their contribution to pollinator health. In fact, did you know that about 35% of the world's crops are made possible thanks to pollinators?! (Modern Farmer). Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and other insects, are essential for the reproduction of many plants, including many of the fruits and vegetables we rely on. By planting flowers, farmers create a more inviting environment for these creatures, which helps to:

• Increase Biodiversity: A diverse range of flowers not only supports pollinators but also attracts other beneficial insects. This diversity can lead to a balanced ecosystem within your farm, decreasing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting natural pest control.

• Enhance Crop Yields: With more pollinators visiting your farm due to the flowers, crop pollination can improve, leading to an increase in fruit and seed production. This is especially beneficial for crops that require insect pollination to reach their full potential.
  
  

2. Increasing Farm Viability Through Diversification

Diversification is a tried-and-true strategy for ensuring the long-term success of a farm. Especially now with the effects of Climate Change being felt in different ways every season, farmers are at greater risk than ever of losing entire crops. By adding flowers to your offerings, you open up a new revenue stream, which can enhance the viability of your farming operation. Here’s how:

• Expanded Market Opportunities: Flowers can be marketed to various audiences, from local florists and event planners to individuals looking for beautiful fresh-cut flower bouquets. Plus you can integrate a Pick Your Own (PYO) option, bringing folks to the farm and having them (with the proper direction) pick their own bouquets! This model is fun for the visitors and cuts back on labor for the farmers. 

• Seasonal Offerings: Different flowers bloom at various times throughout the year, allowing farmers to extend their growing season. By staggering crops and offering a range of flowers, you can capture sales opportunities in different seasons and attract customers looking for different kinds of blooms throughout the year.
  
  

3. The Social and Emotional Benefits of Flowers

Beyond the economic and ecological advantages, flowers bring significant social and emotional benefits to both farmers and the community. In a world where mental health struggles are on the rise, the role of flowers cannot be understated:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Flowers add beauty and vibrancy to the farm, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment for anyone who visits or even just drives by! This can enhance the overall experience for visitors, encouraging agritourism and farm events, and creating lasting memories for families and individuals.
  
  

• Emotional Well-Being: Researchers have found that flowers increase feelings of happiness. A study from Harvard reported that "living with cut flowers strengthens the feelings of compassion and kindness for others." Mel Robbins says "flowers represent the fragility of life" and so help us to live fully into each precious day. When you're looking for a meaningful gift for a special occasion - whether it's a birth, a death, or anything in between - what comes to mind? I'm sure, for many of us, it's flowers. By cultivating flowers, farmers can create a space that not only benefits the ecosystem but also uplifts the human spirit, fostering a sense of community and connection
  

It’s midsummer and we are absolutely delighted with the flowers that are flourishing at Baby Beet Farm here at the Kearsarge Food Hub, and thrilled to watch Sarah learn and grow alongside them. 

We are exploring and seeing for ourselves how embracing these colorful additions can create a thriving, sustainable farm.

Incorporating flowers into a small farm business is more than just a trend—it's a multifaceted approach to enhance ecological health, diversify income streams, and enrich the emotional experience of both farmers and our communities!

The stunning bouquets Sarah’s been crafting are available at Sweet Beet Market, and of course evolve from week to week as the flowers in bloom change through the seasons. Come on in to see (and smell) for yourself!

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Tasty Morsels: 2023 Highlights from the KFH Community

2023 was a rich, dynamic, and delightful year here at the Kearsarge Food Hub - thanks to you!

As we move into a new year, grateful as ever to be in service and collaboration with you, we would love to take a moment and celebrate ten highlights from 2023.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all the bright moments from the past year, but it does capture the essence of our growth and impact from across the organization and in the community. We’re celebrating a great year behind us and looking forward to wonderful year ahead!

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1. Reopening Sweet Beet Café

In the wake of having to unexpectedly close Sweet Beet Cafe in February of 2023, there was a necessary pause before we knew how to proceed. It quickly became clear that we needed to learn more from our community about what you all value in the cafe and take it from there.

We conducted surveys, hosted a focus group, listened, soul searched, and mapped out options. Ultimately, with all your generous feedback and with the help of caring volunteers and dedicated staff, the café reopened on July 1st, 2023!

Many, many helping hands, lots of smiles (and challenges, too!), test batches and floor plans, painting and rearranging, excitement and troubleshooting, boxes and boxes of veggies, sign making and hanging, menu crafting and tasting, and so much more made this reopening possible. Sweet Beet Café is going strong!

2. Launching Farm + Forest Club

In 2023, we were so excited to launch a Farm + Forest Club for local homeschoolers, giving these Junior Beets an opportunity to experience all the elements of farm and forest life.

From planting seeds and exploring pond life, to cooking veggies on an open fire and running a mini-farm stand, it’s safe to say that the Farm + Forest Club is a big hit with the kids (and parents, too!)

These programs are offered on a sliding scale so no family is turned away do to inability to pay.

We’re looking forward to MORE connections through Farm + Forest in 2024. Get your name on our mailing list to be the first to hear about Farm + Forest Club opportunities!

3. Community PartnershiPs & Shared Initiatives

This year (like every year) we are so very grateful for community partners who inspire us with their heart, hard work, and leadership. So many incredible people, businesses, and organizations we admire in the local and regional food system and community service we share that we get to work with! It’s this web of community connections and relations that builds true resiliency. We feel its power each and every day!

Some of the highlights that come to mind from the year include hosting Stay Work Play for their Rising Stars Leadership meeting, getting to know some of the board of NH Hunger Solutions, and starting to work with Walden Mutual Bank - who is now our Sweet Beet Market sponsor!

4. A New farm education structure

With many helping hands and funding from a generous anonymous donor, we were able to build a structure on Sweet Beet Farm for all things farm-education.

Whether it’s ducking away from the rain, enjoying a shady lunch, or writing and drawing about farm life, this structure has already taken farm-ed to the next level. 

It will allow us to have even more visitors (kids & adults alike) in 2024 and beyond!

5. 1st Annual Food Drive at Sweet Beet Market

Together during our first ever food drive at Sweet Beet Market last February, we collected almost 600 items (over $3,300 value) that helped stock the Community FREEdge as well as 7+ food pantry partners with grocery items. 

What's more is that everything purchased through Sweet Beet Market has triple the impact: Not only are we able to feed more local families, but the dollars spent go to local farmers and producers, with the rest going to our nonprofit mission here at KFH.

 6. Making compost on Sweet Beet Farm

This year, we finally started making compost on Sweet Beet Farm (something we’ve wanted to do since day 1!) using food waste from Sweet Beet Market + Cafe and other local inputs. This compost increases resilience by limiting reliance on outside inputs, all while providing a new level of fertility and aliveness to the soil - which of course translates to the aliveness of the foods it produces!

This is one tremendously important step in closing loops in our hyper local food shed, right here KFH operations.

What’s more, students on the farm through our farmer apprentice program and extended learning opportunities for high schoolers helped in the development of our composting systems. As always, we’re learning as we grow!

7. 3rd Annual Abenaki Seeds Project

This year three of the Abenaki Seeds Project, a collaborative effort here in the Kearsarge area to grow Abenaki heritage seeds in home and community gardens. This provides an opportunity to learn together about Native Foodways and support food security for Native American neighbors, with the harvests going to the Abenaki Helping Abenaki food pantry.

This year we had over 50 local sites growing Abenaki Seeds, including our own Baby Beet Farm. The three sisters mounds at Baby Beet were planted and harvested by the Bradford 3rd Garden, producing 50lbs of Abenaki Crookneck Squash, 8lbs of Abenaki Cranberry Beans, and 7lbs of Rose Flint Corn kernels.

The Colby-Sawyer College Main Street garden also grew Abenaki Seeds, with the college students ultimately delivering 410+ lb of crookneck squash for the pantry!

8. A wonderful community fair on the Fall Equinox

Looking back on 2023, our hearts are still from our Community Fair on the autumn equinox.

Together we learned how to save seeds, made nature journals, created a community “quilt”, enjoyed live music, crafted fairy gardens, played with goats, explored how to conserve energy in our homes, learned about community resources, and ate delicious breakfast sandwiches, tacos, and chili!

A huge thanks to the partners who joined us, volunteers and staff who helped bring it to life, and the farmer and producers partners who supply our market and kitchen with fresh, local ingredients. Our community events are possible thanks to you!

9. Love Local: Meet your farmers + makers

It’s a tradition for us here at the Kearsarge Food Hub to feature local farm partners each year in our Love Local event. These are folks we source from for Sweet Beet Market + Café, who are out in the field and the food system doing the work growing and making food each and every day. These farmers have invaluable perspectives to share, especially in 2023 with the challenging growing season we had.

Featured farms from 2023 were: NOK Vino, Deep Meadow Farm, Spring Ledge Farm, and our own Sweet Beet Farm. It made a big impact for all of us who were in attendance at the event to hear from these farmers at such a critical moment for food and farming.

Tune into the insights from this year’s Love Local through a blog from our friends at Food Solutions New England: Community and Resilience In New Hampshire with all the videos and more context on the state of our local food system.

10. 2022 Business of the Year
Lake Sunapee REgion Chamber of commerce

“A business with such selfless dedication to its community.

Working tirelessly to grow a hyper locally supplied market and cafe with multi acre farm during an incredibly difficult time to run a profitable restaurant, solely in an attempt take all profits and return them directly to the community through food donation, most importantly in the form of healthy meals, accessible 24/7, free of charge, for anyone suffering from food insecurity.

Nominated in almost every category this evening, the work of the team at the Kearsarge Food Hub is unlike any other. From seeing a need for change and education to creating an absolutely incredible space in Bradford and becoming a resource for so many. 

What Kearsarge Food Hub offers is more than the fruits and veggies at Sweet Beet Market or a tea and scone at their new Sweet Beet Cafe...it's a NEW way of life - a NEW way to connect with your neighbors - a NEW way to look at local food - a NEW way to change the world around you. There is nothing more powerful than that.”

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Thank you for an amazing year in 2023! We look forward to another great year ahead. Stay connected with all the happenings here at KFH by joining our mailing list.

3rd Annual Community Fair Reflections

Dearest community - thank you for a delightful and invigorating Community Fair  on the Autumn Equinox!

We had a positively wonderful time on the lawn of Sweet Beet celebrating local food, farms, and community with you. 

Together we learned how to save seeds, made nature journals, created a community “quilt”, enjoyed live music, crafted fairy gardens, played with goats, explored how to conserve energy in our homes, learned about community resources, and ate delicious breakfast sandwiches, tacos, and chili!

Special thanks to our sponsor Nathan Wechsler and the partners who joined us in bringing the fair to life: Kearsarge Neighborhood partners, the Bradford Energy Committee, Evergreen Healing Arts, Venue at 11 West Main, Broken Boat Farm, and Decatur Creek. 

Of course, a huge thanks to the volunteers who shared their time with us, all our amazing staff, and the farmer and producers partners who supply our market and kitchen with fresh, local ingredients.

And thanks to YOU for joining us and tuning in! See you next year at the fair!

4th Annual Tray it Forward: 8000 seedlings make their way to homes & community sites.

The Tray it Forward Program began in 2020 as a collaborative way to build community, share gardening education, and grow more food. This was really in response to the COVID pandemic and the struggles we were facing as a community, like difficulty accessing food and strained supply chains.

We’ve learned since then that this program is impactful for more than just getting through a crisis - it is foundational for building connections in community centered on reclaiming the knowledge and joy of growing our own food!

In its fourth year now, Tray it Forward distributed 400 seedling trays totaling 8000 plants to individuals, organizations like local health centers and food pantries, and community garden sites like the Main Street Garden at Colby-Sawyer College.

Community members supported the program through donations to Spring Ledge Farm, where the seedlings were grown and each donation was matched plant for plant by Spring Ledge. Local businesses donated supplies that folks could use to get their gardens going. Dozens of volunteers coordinated by Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners joined together to bring this program to life, from outreach to participants to delivering the trays directly to homes.

In response to community feedback, the 4th Annual Tray it Forward program is focusing more energy on container gardens for homes that don’t have access to land, which is a common barrier to gardening. Generous donations of potting soil and containers were gifted to program participants alongside their seedling trays to provide a solid foundation for growing food in containers.

While one main goal of Tray it Forward is to reach more first time gardeners, many folks receiving trays are in their third or fourth year gardening thanks to this program. We’re really starting to pick up speed in growing are collective knowledge of producing nutritious, delicious vegetables from home gardens. More than that, folks are feeling the shared joy and wellbeing of getting outside, putting our hands in the soil, and feeling supported and cared for by one another.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

— Alfred Austin, poet

To help folks on their journey, we created the Victory Garden Toolkit, which is a wide-ranging collection of gardening resources, from how to start the garden to weekly newsletters that dig into common issues and processes you might find in the garden throughout the season - from planting to harvest!

We’re looking forward to providing educational videos straight from the garden this year to help folks have a successful growing season. We’re also excited to check in with our gardeners to see how things are growing. Stay tuned!

Check out the video recap from the 4th Annual Tray Delivery Day!

Brought to you by FEED Kearsarge