Report shows New Hampshire can play a key role in making New England’s food system stronger, more self-reliant
SHARE
June 5, 2023 (DURHAM, NH) - A new report puts forth a regional goal of producing and consuming 30% of New England’s food needs in the region by 2030. Commissioned by the New England State Food System Planners Partnership, a collaboration between the NH Food Alliance, five other state-level organizations, and Food Solutions New England, it outlines the role New Englanders can play in making the region’s food system stronger and more self-reliant. The report— A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience— is a product of sixteen researchers exploring the opportunities and needs along the food supply chain in New England, and highlights the land, sea, and labor needs of the region, consumer purchase metrics, distribution trends, and population projections that will impact the region’s ability to feed itself in the coming years.
“We all experienced the limitations of relying on a global supply chain during the height of the pandemic,” said Nicole Cardwell, Program Director of the NH Food Alliance. “Becoming more self-reliant requires us to understand and strengthen our regional food system: building up needed infrastructure, protecting farmland, and ensuring that New England’s farmers and fishermen can sustain themselves and their families. In return, we’ll have stronger local economies and a more predictable food system that is less susceptible to interruptions like natural disasters or public health emergencies.”
The report, released publicly today, illustrates New Hampshire’s potential role in strengthening both the local and regional food systems. New Hampshire is home to only 9% of New England’s population and 11% of the region’s farmland. Despite that, New Hampshire’s central location in the region and production capabilities will be key in strengthening the region’s food system. New Hampshire can serve as a processing hub for the region’s food, capitalizing on the rich farmland to the east and west and the dense consumer centers to the south, thus strengthening the entire region’s ability to feed itself year-round.
Currently, total food and beverage expenditures in New England range between $55.2 billion and $87.1 billion and are estimated to reach $98.4 billion by 2030. New Englanders would have to spend between $16.6 billion and $26.1 billion to reach 30% of expenditures currently, and $29.5 billion by 2030. On a per capita basis, the average New Englander would currently have to spend between $1,152 and $1,760 on regional food and beverage products per year to reach the 30% goal.
“It is critical that we work together to increase the amount of food that we produce in the region. We cannot expect that there will never be disruptions in our national and international food distribution system. It is our challenge to ensure that we are able to build a regional system that will ensure that New England is able to produce enough food to provide for any shortages that might occur in the coming years. Beyond the possibility of such disruptions we should also recognize that maintaining our farmland and providing access to the freshest possible products is in the best interests of all our citizens,” said Shawn Jasper, Commissioner of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food.
Upon the release of this report, the Commissioners of Agriculture for the six New England states published a letter of support the constituencies in continuing to build collaborations to support the New England food supply chain and the goal for meeting 30% of the region’s food need within the region. Read the letter here
# # #
The New England State Food System Planners Partnership is a collaboration among six state-level food system organizations and Food Solutions New England who are mobilizing their networks to impact local and regional food supply chains, and strengthen and grow the New England regional food system. The Partnership disseminates information on trends, challenges and opportunities to hundreds of groups across the region that connect with our individual state initiatives. The Partnership works in collaboration with the regional Food Solutions New England network in alignment with its New England Food Vision, and also in collaboration with state governments and groups supporting local and regionally-based food supply chains.
The NH Food Alliance (NHFA) is a statewide network that connects the people, business, organizations, and communities dedicated to growing a thriving, fair, and sustainable local food system in the Granite State. NHFA builds relationships, learns from fellow network members, and catalyzes collaboration to advance common goals, respond creatively to challenges, and amplify their collective impact through six focus areas.
Categories
