Food Security
We believe that all members of our community have the right to access nourishing, locally produced foods.
Unfortunately, the cost of such goods and infrastructural barriers greatly inhibits this access. Our nonprofit food security work exists to dismantle these barriers and create resilient food access channels for all neighbors.
It may come as a surprise to hear that one in nine New Hampshire residents are food insecure, meaning that one in nine neighbors struggle to put food on the table. We consider this statistic a call to action: We need to nourish community connections to get healthy, local food into the hands of those who need it.
Food Donations
Food access manager Cassie loads up a cart of fresh vegetables to send to a local food pantry with the help of a volunteer.
Three key elements make our food donations program unique:
The vast majority of what is donated is high quality, fresh produce, in high demand by food security partners
All the products we donate are purchased from our local community. This means there is direct and significant financial support going to our local farmers and producers.
Finally, we only donate what our food security partners order. We do not send only what is leftover or in surplus. This allows people more choice in the food products they consume, and minimizes waste.
Community FREEdge (free-fridge)
The impact of the Community FREEdge in 2022.
In the summer of 2021, Kearsarge Food Hub opened the community “FREEdge” (a free fridge / pantry) on the porch of Sweet Beet Market & Café. It provides 24/7, no-questions-asked food access for our community.
We work closely with the Bradford Food Pantry and town social workers to ensure that it is stocked with what our neighbors need.
Currently we stock it three times per week with fresh produce, meat & eggs, pantry items, and prepared meals from Sweet Beet Café.
FEED Kearsarge
The mission of FEED Kearsarge is to pursue creative and collaborative ways of supporting food security in the Kearsarge area. This initiative brings together the various voices, perspectives, and skill sets needed to find community-wide solutions that advance food security for all.
Beyond food security, we’re working together to build community, share knowledge, and cultivate JOY as well as fresh, healthy local foods. That’s food sovereignty!
Current programs of FEED Kearsarge include the Tray it Forward program where free seedling trays are delivered to families in need and community garden sites, as well as the overall Victory Garden Revival which includes gardening support and community building.
A heartfelt thank you to our food security sponsors!
Locavore Sponsor
Sustainability Sponsor
FREEdge Co-Sponsor
FREEdge Co-Sponsor
Donation History
Here’s a look at our food donations since our inception in 2015. The growth of this program is made possible by our community partnerships, donors, and grant funding.
2022
2021
Food donation efforts continued to grow in 2021 in order to address the growing need.
2020
We grew our food donations by 737% in response to COVID! That’s an average of $3000 pounds of food going over 200 area households. In 2021, we are committed to sustaining this level of support to our food access partners at pantries and schools.
2016
1,925 pounds of local produce donated.
A value of $4,210 of local goods donated.
Institutions supported through our 2016 donation efforts:
The Warner CAP Food Pantry
The Bradford Food Pantry
Bradford Elementary First Graders
New London Hospital
Manchester VA
2015
940 pounds of local produce donated.
A value of $1,500 of local goods donated.
Institutions supported through our 2015 donation efforts:
The Warner CAP Food Pantry
The Bradford Food Pantry
Merrimack County Conservation District's NH Gleans program
Thank you to our sponsors: