Nutrition Access & Security
2025 NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan
The Nutrition Access & Security Brief explores the challenges and opportunities facing the ability of individuals and communities to safely, affordably, and reliably access an adequate amount of nutritious and culturally preferred foods, including locally and regionally produced foods, to support a healthy life. This Issue brief is one of 27 briefs created as part of the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan.
What's at Stake?
Access to nutritious food is critical for supporting health and wellbeing and preventing disease. While state and federal programs exist to connect vulnerable populations with affordable, nutritious, and culturally preferred foods, significant barriers remain, especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities who are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity in New Hampshire. Existing programs that increase access to locally produced foods serve as an opportunity to reduce food insecurity, while supporting New Hampshire farmers, but policy change, investment, and collective on the ground work are needed to foster these programs and other efforts in support of a healthier, more equitable state.
Current Conditions: Nutrition Access
As of May 2024, 135,200 New Hampshire residents, including 33,720 children, faced food insecurity—a 43.9% increase from the previous year1— while 425,000 experienced food insufficiency, lacking enough food or the kinds of foods they needed.2 Older adults were especially impacted, with 80,251 affected. Poverty, geography, transportation barriers, and inflation drive these challenges, particularly in rural areas, where food costs in the Northeast rose 25% between 2019 and 2024.3,4 Systemic racism and discriminatory policies further exacerbate disparities, with 20% of Black and 16% of Hispanic households facing food insecurity compared to 7% of White households.5,6
Although not all those experiencing food insecurity are eligible, federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provide vital support, but these programs face funding, outreach, and policy challenges.7 Furthermore, refugees and immigrants often encounter barriers or fear in accessing them.
School meal policies, like Breakfast After the Bell, reduce barriers to School Breakfast Program (SBP) participation, yet 7,800 eligible students still miss out due to lack of awareness, misconceptions about nutrition, and concerns over lost instructional time8.
Adults aged 60 and older and people living with a disability can access the Meals on Wheels (MOW) Program which, for many of the recipients, provides their main meal of the day. Post-pandemic funding changes necessitates identifying alternative means to continue serving New Hampshire’s aging population.
Challenges & Opportunities: Nutrition Access
Challenges
> Insufficient funding for outreach, low awareness of food insecurity, and limited qualitative data on participant barriers hinder increased participation in nutrition programs.9,10,11
> A lack of robust data about the reasons for enrollment and participation gaps makes it difficult for policymakers to prioritize solutions effectively, emphasizing the need for education and research.
> Complex application processes, language barriers, stigma, and uncoordinated messaging across federal nutrition programs further complicate access.12 Furthermore, silos between programs and insufficient promotion of federal nutrition programs limit their reach and effectiveness.
> Although many eligible for government assistance do not enroll, there are many facing food insecurity who fail to qualify for assistance, relying instead on emergency food providers that do not require means testing but offer limited support.
Opportunities
> Leverage federal grants to improve outreach, streamline application processes, and use technology for multilingual support.
> Expand “Food as Medicine” initiatives through Medicaid waivers and partnerships to enhance access, reduce healthcare costs, and improve public health outcomes. Partner with local organizations and initiatives, like farm to school, to improve access to locally grown foods.
> Research and advocate for policies implemented in other states, such as extending SNAP recertification periods and simplifying CACFP eligibility criteria, to improve program accessibility and sustainability.7,10,13
> Revive the Nutrition Access Research Action Network to assess statewide needs and support evidence-based policy development
Current Conditions: Local Food Access
Nearly half of New Hampshire residents buy local farm food at least a few times a month, though engagement varies by county.14 Local food access efforts address inequities by connecting communities with fresh, culturally significant foods, while supporting farmers. Programs like Granite State Market Match (GSMM) and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) expand access to local food for low-income residents. In 2023, GSMM redeemed $132,800.86 over 4,687 transactions and DUFB accounted for $352,397.46 over 55,126 transactions. Vouchers for Veterans redeemed $125,000 through 15,000 transactions, and NH Feeding NH purchased 503,543 pounds of food from 117 farms.15
Programs for WIC participants and seniors at farmers’ markets similarly increase access to local produce. A WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), expected to launch in 2025, will complement existing efforts like GSMM and Senior FMNP.16 Reduced-cost CSA initiatives, such as NOFA-NH’s Farm Share Program and others, serve communities that do not qualify for assistance, thus rely heavily on fundraising to operate.17,18
By fostering connections between farmers and underserved communities, these programs create dignified access to local food and build resilient value chains that strengthen community health, equity, and economic vitality.19
Challenges & Opportunities: Local Food Access
Challenges
> Sustained funding is essential to balance affordable pricing for consumers with fair compensation for farmers.
> Local food accessibility barriers include cost, transportation, cold storage, food preferences, culinary skills, and limited hours or locations for SNAP incentive programs. Many farmers’ markets operate during restricted hours, making it difficult for SNAP users to access benefits.
> Of the approximately 4,000 farms in New Hampshire, only 15 currently offer SNAP incentives at their stores and stands, with few farm stores equipped to accept cards or maintain regular hours.
> Corner stores, common in low-income neighbor- hoods, rarely stock fresh or local food, though initiatives like the Manchester Healthy Corners program offer a model for expansion to cities like Concord and Nashua.
Opportunities
> Programs like NH Feeding NH and GSMM can be expanded to bridge gaps in local food access. Leveraging established CSA initiatives across the state and promoting options like SNAP acceptance, payment plans, and reduced-cost shares can enhance accessibility.
> Collaborative programs, such as Healthcare Without Harm’s Food is Medicine initiative, highlight the role of local food in improving health.
> Increasing gleaning efforts, supporting farm to school programs, and expanding local food access through food pantries and schools can reduce waste and enhance equity.
> Addressing geographic and operational gaps in local food access could ensure fresh, local foods are available where people already shop.
Summary
Nutrition and local food access are interconnected pillars of a resilient and equitable food system, addressing both immediate needs and systemic challenges. Nutrition access encompasses more than food assistance programs; it also involves ensuring that all individuals— regardless of income, geography, or cultural background— can obtain nutritious and desired foods. Barriers to nutrition access include financial constraints, geographic isolation, systemic inequities, and social stigmas. Many individuals who face financial barriers do not qualify for food assistance programs and must rely on alternative community resources or limited emergency food providers.
Local food access complements these efforts by building connections between communities and local farmers to provide fresh, culturally significant foods while supporting farmers. Programs like Granite State Market Match and farm to school initiatives bridge gaps in affordability and accessibility, enhancing community health and resilience. Local food access is also vital for climate resilience, as communities most vulnerable to climate change are often also those facing the greatest food insecurity and are disproportionately impacted by global supply chain disruptions. Strengthening local and regional food systems reduces these risks, fosters sustainability, and builds equitable, community-driven value chains.
Efforts like Farm to Food Assistance illustrate how shifting power and resources to farmers and consumers can transform food systems from a profit-driven model to one centered on equity, dignity, and the human right to food. Addressing the interdependencies between nutrition and local food access, New Hampshire can build a food system that supports climate adaptation, reduces inequities, and fosters systemic change. This summary lays the foundation for actionable recommendations to advance these goals.
Recommendations
Organizations working on this issue
Ammonoosuc Community Health Services
Belknap County Conservation District
Belknap Merrimack Community Action Program
Capital Area Food Access Coalition
Carroll County Food Access Network
Cheshire County Conservation District
Community Action Partnership Hillsborough & Rockingham Counties
Coos County Conservation District
Double Up Food Bucks (program of NH Food Bank)
Granite State Market Match (program of NH Food Bank)
Greater Derry Chamber of Commerce
Greater Derry Community Health Services
Greater Monadnock Public Health Network
Greater Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services
Health First Family Health Center
Hillsborough County Meals on Wheels
Lakes Region Community Services
Lakes Region Food Access Coalition
Merrimack County Gleaning Program
Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition
Mt. Washington Valley Eaters and Growers
New Hampshire Public Health Association
New Hampshire Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
NH Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition Programs
NH Department of Health and Human Services
NH Feeding NH (program of NH Food Bank)
NH Food Access Coalition (program of NH Hunger Solutions)
NH Gleans (program of Gather)
North Country Health Consortium
Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS)
Partnership for Public Health-Lakes Region
Regenerative Roots Association
Southwestern Community Services
Strafford County Public Health Network
Taproot Farm & Environmental Education Center
The Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter
Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
White Mountains Community College
Winnisquam Regional High School
Authors
Lead Authors
NH Hunger Solutions staff: Jessica Gorhan, Tiffany Brewster, Trinidad Tellez, Laura Milliken
NH Hunger Solutions Student Contributors: A. Siergiej, L. Slattery, L. Thompson, E. Menendez, V. Zinke, N. Krull, S. Kaur, D. Frey, and I. Cole-Johnson
Contributing Authors
Chelsey R. Canavan, MSPH, Manager, Center for Advancing Rural Health Equity, Dartmouth Health
Amy R. Hollar, MS, RDN, State Specialist, Health & Well-Being, UNH Extension
Brendan Cornwell, New Hampshire Nutrition Incentive Network Coordinator, New Hampshire Food Bank
Tara Westenhiser, MPH, Food Access Coordinator, Division of Public Health Services, NH Department of Health and Human Services
Xochiquetzal Salazar, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire
This brief was developed through a participatory process led by the NH Food Alliance, a program of the University of New Hampshire. The brief content is comprised of the opinions, perspectives, and information gathered by the authors and participants, and does not necessarily represent those of the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food or the NH Food Alliance.
Head to the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan main page to read more briefs, browse recommendations and learn how the strategic plan was created.
References
1New Hampshire Food Bank. New Hampshire Food Bank taking action to combat 43.9% increase in food insecurity statewide. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://nhfoodbank.org/nh-food-bank-taking-action-to-combat-43-9-increase-in-food-insecurity-statewide/
2 United States Census Bureau. Food scarcity. Household Pulse Survey. United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/hhp/#/
3 Sano, Y. Mammen, S. Mitigating the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on rural low-income families. J Fam Econ Issues. Published 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8860626/
4USHunger.org. It’s not just hunger: Transportation’s role in food insecurity. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://ushunger.org/blog/transportation-food-insecurity/
5New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. Poverty and food insecurity in New Hampshire during and following the COVID-19 crisis. Published February 29, 2024. https://nhfpi.org/resource/poverty-and-food-insecurity-in-new-hampshire-during-and-following-the-covid-19-crisis/#:~:text=While%20the%20change%20is%20not,about%2035%2C000%20Granite%20State%20households
6National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Food accessibility, insecurity and health outcomes. NIMHD. Published July 3, 2024. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html
7Gray, C. Leaving benefits on the table: Evidence from SNAP. J Public Econ. 2019;179:104071. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004727271930115X
8No Kid Hungry. Breakfast After the Bell myths. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://state.nokidhungry.org/north-carolina/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2021/12/Breakfast-After-the-Bell-Myths-NEW-VERSION-11.2019.pdf
9Aluoch, A. Broxton, M. Gordon, Y. et al. A community-driven anti-racist vision for SNAP. The Center for Law and Social Policy. Published September 28, 2022. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.clasp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022.9.28_A-Community-Driven-Anti-Racist-Vision-for-SNAP.pdf
10Carson, J. Boege, S. The intersection of food availability, access, & affordability with food security and health. Carsey School of Public Policy. University of New Hampshire. Published December 2020. https://nhchildrenshealthfoundation.org/assets/2021/02/Carsey_Food-Insecurity-Literature-Review_Final_121720.pdf
11Boege, S, Carson, JA. Supportive program strengths and gaps for New Hampshire families: “Just enough money to barely pay for most things.” Carsey School of Public Policy. University of New Hampshire. Published 2023. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://scholars.unh.edu/carsey/461/
12 New Hampshire Department of Education. Child and Adult Care Food Program. Accessed September 8, 2024. https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/division-of-learner-support/bureau-of-student-wellness/office-of-nutritional-services/child-adult-care-food
13 New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. New Hampshire Graduated Assistance Programs Analysis, pgs. 77-78. Published June 2024. https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/benefits-cliff-graduated-assistance-study-062024.pdf
14Carson, J. Bruce, A. Leslie, I. Half of New Hampshire Residents Buy Local Farm Food at Least a Few Times a Month, But Engagement Varies by County. Carsey School of Public Policy. University of New Hampshire. Published June 23, 2021. Accessed December 10, 2024. https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/half-new-hampshire-residents-buy-local-farm-food-least-few-times-month-engagement-varies-county
15Communication from the New Hampshire Food Bank.
16 WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/population-health/women-infants-children-nutrition-program/wic-farmers-market
17 NOFA-NH’s Farm Share Program. Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.nofanh.org/farm-share-program
18 Monadnock Farm Share Program. Cheshire County Conservation District. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.cheshireconservation.org/farmshare
19 Cohen, A. Dannefer, R. Farm to Food Assistance: A Model for Values-Based, Equity-Centered Approaches to Transforming the Food System. Food Systems Leadership Network. The Wallace Center. Published September 2024. https://wallacecenter.org/projects/farm-to-food-assistance-technical-support/
