What We're Reading, Watching, and Doing: July 2021

July is here! Read on for our round up of local events, news, and other nifty resources from across our food system and beyond. Don't see your event or resource listed below? Email us to have it added!

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Members of the NH Food Alliance 's Network Leadership Team met with Commissioner Shawn Jasper of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food
In June, two members of our Network Leadership team, Gavin Macdonald of Genuine Local and Belknap Foodshed, and Allan Reetz of Hanover Co-op Food Stores, attended an in-person meeting with Commissioner of Agriculture, Shawn Jasper.

Leading up to the meeting, the Network Leadership Team developed a list of items in need of funding if available through the federal COVID-19 recovery packages. The list was shared with Commissioner Jasper prior to the meeting and led to an eager discussion about New Hampshire agriculture and the challenges the industry is facing.

Of the ten investment items on the Network Leadership Team’s list, the following were discussed at length:

• Shortcomings in meat processing
• Needs for infrastructure, equipment, and supplies for value-added production
• Examples of external competitive threats to distribution channels
• Space-availability (lack of, cost of) to grow food hubs
• Food hub success stories and potential for high-impact improvements

In closing the meeting, Commissioner Jasper emphasized his interest in receiving news and updates from the NH Food Alliance and all agreed on frequent communication to maximize every opportunity to strengthen New Hampshire’s food economy.

NH Food Alliance awarded a grant from the NH Charitable Foundation.
We are excited to announce that the NH Food Alliance was recently awarded a grant on behalf of the NH Charitable Foundation to continue our work supporting the NH food system.

JUL 19-AUG 9
Building Equitable Farmland Tenure Models for Northeast Farmers Co-Learning and Training Series via the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust and Agrarian Commons REGISTER HERE

JUL 30-AUG 6
NOFA Summer Conference REGISTER HERE

Fall Book Club with Monadnock Food Co-op LEARN MORE

ALL MONTH LONG
UNH Extension's Agriculture & Horticulture events and workshops  Learn more and register

UNH Extension's Home, Yard, & Garden events and workshops Learn more and register

Monadnock Food Co-op's events and workshops LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

SAVE THE DATE

AUG 1-31
2021 NH Eats Local Month LEARN MORE

AUG 15, 9-11AM
SELT's Farm Tour featuring Heron Pond Farm LEARN MORE

OCT 15
NH Food Alliance's Strategy Retreat REGISTER HERE

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!  The New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services has an update about Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits. If your student is enrolled in the NSLP, you are eligible for P-EBT. This program provides families additional nutritional benefits to offset the cost of meals students ate at home during the COVID-19 pandemic that they would normally have eaten at school. LEARN MORE HERE

COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS FOR NH SNAP/EBT

NH WIC Fruits & Veggies Program Poster DOWNLOAD HERE

NH P-EBT Benefits Poster DOWNLOAD HERE

SNAP Legal Aid Poster DOWNLOAD HERE

SNAP for College Students Poster DOWNLOAD HERE

How to Use SNAP/EBT Benefits at Sweet Beet Market READ MORE

2021 NH EATS LOCAL MONTH CALL FOR PARTNERS! NH Eats Local Month is a month-long collaborative marketing and promotional campaign that brings Granite Staters together by harnessing the power of local food. We are seeking partners for the 2021 NH Eats Local Month celebration! SIGN UP HERE

NH Harvest of the Month for June is Herbs! Pick some up and tag us @nheatslocal to share how you're enjoying the harvest. Find places to shop local through UNH Extension's Farm Product map or any of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food's CSA, Farm stands and Farmers' Market directories. Learn more and get recipes here

FOR MORE ON FINDING LOCAL FOOD CLICK HERE

Seacoast Eat Local is looking for volunteers for their Mobile Market program. LEARN MORE & SIGN UP

Taproot is looking for volunteers for their Plant-a-Row, Gleaning, and Lancaster Community Garden programs. Learn more & Sign up

Kearsarge Food Hub is accepting volunteers on a rolling basis for their various programs. Learn more & Sign up