Blog
Deep dives into both timely and timeless food system topics
Fire recovery update - and how you can help!
We’re continuing to recover from the damage caused by a building fire where Sweet Beet Market + Cafe operates back on February 18th. In the effort to keep our community informed on our progress and what to expect, we have a brief update on how the recovery is going.
We hoped the building repairs would not include ripping up the kitchen floor where the fire burned, but unfortunately this could not be avoided. The floor has been partially torn up to remove char-damaged materials and mitigate long term issues. By taking care of this now, we will not have to worry about addressing it and having to close kitchen operations in the future.
Federal Policies Affect Food Security for NH Neighbors
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, is a food access program funded by the United States Department Agriculture (USDA).
The funding and administration of SNAP involve collaboration among the Secretary of Agriculture, Congress, and the Farm Bill. Changing administrations can mean big or small changes to federal funding and prioritization of programs like SNAP.
This is a good time to review what this program does and how it supports low income families as there are significant budget cuts making their way through Congress that will have real impacts on millions of Americans.
Community Rallies to Support Sweet Beet post-fire
Since the fire that broke out at 11 West Main Street in mid-February rendered Sweet Beet Kitchen temporarily closed, the community has rallied to help keep our services going strong and it’s positively uplifting!
Blue Loon Bakery in New London bakes delicious breads of all kinds and makes yummy sandwiches, soups, quiche, and more. Find their goodies at Sweet Beet on the weekends while our kitchen is closed!
Blue Loon Bakery in New London reached out immediately after the fire to offer support and ended up sending over pastries, sandwiches, quiche and soups to satisfy customers the first weekend after the fire. They have committed to continuing to provide goods as long as needed and we’re all so grateful…
A Decade of Impact and an Exciting New Loyalty Program!
As the sun shines and the January freeze bites at our noses, we’re celebrating ten amazing years at the Kearsarge Food Hub!
From our humble beginnings at Sweet Beet Farm Stand, our journey has been fueled by the unwavering support of our loving community, passionate supporters, and dedicated team.
February is for Food Drives Part Two: How can you help fight hunger in the Kearsarge area?
Here at the Kearsarge Food Hub (KFH), we’re on a mission to reinvigorate our community within a restorative local food system. One of the main pillars of this work is increasing food access - and healthy food choices - to support both food and nutrition security for more neighbors.
February is for Food Drives Part One: What’s the state of Hunger in New Hampshire?
When you think about hunger, you might think that it’s something that happens in a far away place, something that’s “out there” in the world. The truth of the matter is, hunger is a pervasive problem not just “out there,” but right here at home in New Hampshire.
NH Eats Local Part 3: How we live free + eat local.
Here we are at the end of August and the end of NH Eats Local month. This month we’ve explored KFH origins, community, how we create access to local foods, economic impact, farm-based education programs, and the team that makes it all possible.
NH Eats Local Part 2: Economy, Farm Education, & Team
August is NH Eats Local Month and we’re taking a moment to celebrate our local food system and the people that make it possible.
NH Eats Local Part 1: Origins, Community, Access.
August is NH Eats Local Month, a fantastic time to savor the bounty of our local food system and celebrate the people who make it all possible.
Food Sovereignty begins with farmer support.
Food sovereignty is one of three guiding nonprofit initiatives that make up our mission here at the Kearsarge Food Hub.
Black History Month: Community Healing & Food Sovereignty
February is Black History Month, and we here at the Kearsarge Food Hub want to take a moment to explore some of the ways that the Black community has done incredible work toward community care, food sovereignty, and environmental stewardship.
Community Care through Food Security and Access!
This past summer the Kearsarge Food Hub put out some feelers in the community for a donation of a refrigerator. We wanted to experiment with having a community fridge on the porch here at the Sweet Beet, to stock with fresh local foods for neighbors to access any time.
Community Garden Spotlight: A New Space at River Valley Community College
In 2020, a group of community organizations, including the Kearsarge Food Hub, came together to address food insecurity and mental health concerns in the Kearsarge region of New Hampshire exacerbated by the pandemic and co-created the FEED (Food Expansion, Education, Distribution) Kearsarge initiative.
Community Gardens: Growing More than Food
Community gardens—defined loosely as shared green spaces that are communally tended—seem to be popping up everywhere lately, including three new gardens right here in Bradford. But what exactly are they? And what do they have to do with the Kearsarge Food Hub?
Tray it Forward: Food Sovereignty and Community Connections through Gardening
The Tray it Forward program is designed to help more community members, specifically neighbors in need, start home gardens with the help of donated seedlings and supplies, with ongoing outreach and educational support.
What is Food Sovereignty?
Here at the Kearsarge Food Hub, our mission is to reinvigorate our community within a restorative local food system through cultivating food sovereignty, growing engaged learners, and nurturing community. This mission is a new iteration of what we’ve been working toward over the past five years, with the notable addition of the term food sovereignty.
Developing a Food Hub Network In New Hampshire
We know that to work toward greater food and farm security for the Kearsarge area, we must work in partnership with statewide and regional food system efforts.