Recommendations

Recommendation Type of Action Brief Topic Goal
Increase market access and local sourcing in the value-added product industry
The NH Food Alliance to facilitate discussions with grocers, distributors, and food hubs to increase and streamline distribution logistics and market…
Coordination/Network development or support Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Nutrition & Access
Add UNH Extension personnel to provide training for cost-benefit financial analysis of value-added production
Add personnel at UNH Extension to increase capacity in providing programming and training specific to the cost- benefit financial analysis of value-…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Overhaul the regulatory oversight of the New Hampshire food and beverage industry
A significant, collaborative, and evaluation-based overhaul of food and beverage regulatory oversight is recommended, including: Evaluating the…
Policy/Regulation Value-Added Processing & Co-Manufacturing Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Collaborate with local governments to support zoning changes to allow affordable housing on farm properties
Zoning changes to increase affordable housing would include housing for employees to address both housing and labor needs, while introducing a…
Policy/Regulation Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability, Local Food Economy
Develop a coordinated pipeline for beginning farmers that deepens existing agricultural training opportunities and communities
Those including UNH Extension’s New Farmer School, the Transition to Organic Partnership Program offered by NOFA-NH, and the Hannah Grimes Center’s…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Expand opportunities for business education and support for new and beginning farmers
Through groups, such as the New Hampshire Ag Financiers, expand training and technical assistance opportunities; Assist growers in calculating…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support, Investment/Funding Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Transition existing county and town farmland into beginning farmer incubator sites
Expand affordable land leasing programs and explore the potential of programs that transition existing county and town farmland into beginning farmer…
Program creation, support, or expansion Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Support land transition for new and beginning farmers with tax relief or other incentive programs
Incentivize retention of land currently in farm use through tax relief or programs designed to support land transition to new and beginning farmers.
Program creation, support, or expansion, Policy/Regulation Supporting Future & Beginning Farmers Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability
Increase funding for sustainable and organic agriculture research
Particularly increase research that prioritizes collaborative on-farm trials and research with farmers and is focused on practical applicability,…
Investment/Funding, Research/Study Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Natural Resources & Climate
Develop markets for organic and sustainable farmers and food businesses
Develop these markets by creating economic and regulatory incentives and marketing campaigns, including: Offering a tax credit for retailers who…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Policy/Regulation Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Engagement & Education, Natural Resources & Climate, Nutrition & Access
Fund technical assistance and training for organic and sustainable production techniques
Through a competitive proposal process, fund comprehensive technical assistance and training programs for organic and sustainable production…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Natural Resources & Climate
Invest $2 million to subsidize the cost of testing soil samples
Funding the subsidization of soil testing could include microbial residue and PFAS and expand the testing capability of the University of New…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Natural Resources & Climate
Allocate $5 million annually to grants for farmers using or transitioning to sustainable practices
Allocate $5 million annually, including seeking matching private investments, to a state-funded grant program that provides up to $250,000 to farmers…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Equity & Justice, Natural Resources & Climate
Facilitate zero-interest CSA loans
Collaborate with credit unions and community banks to offer zero-interest loans for purchasing CSA shares, enhancing affordability and access to…
Coordination/Network development or support, Investment/Funding Nutrition Access & Security Nutrition & Access
Expand Granite State Market Match and strengthen local food access infrastructure
Increase funding for programs, like NH Feeding NH, Granite State Market Match, and Double Up Food Bucks to improve access to fresh, local foods.…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding, Policy/Regulation Nutrition Access & Security Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability, Nutrition & Access
Study light processing opportunities
Conduct a statewide assessment of assets, barriers, and opportunities for light processing to improve New Hampshire-grown food access in the…
Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study Nutrition Access & Security Farm, Fish, & Food Business Viability, Nutrition & Access
Systematize food access data collection
Incorporate food access into existing statewide and regional data collection systems, like Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), Community…
Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study Nutrition Access & Security Nutrition & Access
Conduct research on Federal Nutrition Programs every three years
This research should identify barriers to enrollment and participation, methods to improve utilization, and address community food access needs.…
Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study Nutrition Access & Security Nutrition & Access
Enhance cultural competence in the public assistance workforce
Develop and pilot an ongoing statewide training/coaching program for all public assistance workers that trains in cultural competence to better serve…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding Nutrition Access & Security Engagement & Education, Equity & Justice
Improve outreach and education campaigns for food assistance programs and food insecurity issues
Launch public education campaigns to raise awareness about food assistance programs and food insecurity issues, addressing stigma while providing…
Program creation, support, or expansion, Coordination/Network development or support Nutrition Access & Security Engagement & Education, Equity & Justice