Network Café Series

Network Café Series
Field Photos radishes

 

On the first Friday of each month, September through April, the NH Food Alliance network hosts an informal and lively conversation with partners across the New Hampshire food system and beyond! Network Café topics often leading to further collaborations and projects; turning talk into action.

 


 

2023-24 Network Café Series:
A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience
 
A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience

What would it take for 30% of the food consumed in New England to be regionally produced by 2030? Join the NH Food Alliance network as we address this question during our 2023-2024 Network Café Series through A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience, a four-volume report of foundational food system data commissioned and released by the New England State Food System Planners Partnership. The report lays out an unprecedented compilation of the most current New England food systems data and frames the data intentionally to inspire conversation and action towards New England producing and consuming more of its own food.

During each Network Café, the lead researcher for each volume of A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience will join us to dig into the data. They will provide a short summary of the volume and answer questions, helping our network of partners utilize the report in strategic planning, fundraising, advocacy, and other work as we continue to build vibrant food systems in New Hampshire and New England.

The New England State Food System Planners Partnership is a collaboration among six state-level food system organizations and Food Solutions New England. Please note that our September Network Café will be held on the second Friday of the month to avoid the Labor Day holiday weekend. If you have questions about our 2023-2024 Network Café Series, reach out to our Communications Coordinator, Colleen Stewart, here

 

Estimating Resilient Eating Patterns 

OCTOBER 6, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE

October Network Cafe 2023

Volume 1 of A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience examines the question “If we ate in a healthier, more resilient way, could more of our food be supplied by regional production?” Our October Network Café features Brian Donohue of Brandeis University, the leader of the team who researched the answer to this question. The team’s primary work was to analyze dietary patterns across major food groups to better understand the food that New Englanders currently consume—and how that might change by 2030. Join us for an overview of “Volume 1: Estimating Resilient Eating Patterns” with Brian to find out what the team learned and to discuss the research’s implications for New Hampshire's food system.

The NH Food Alliance’s 2023-2024 Network Café Series will explore A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience, a four-volume report of foundational food system data commissioned and released by the New England State Food System Planners Partnership. The New England State Food System Planners Partnership is a collaboration among six state-level food system organizations and Food Solutions New England. The report lays out an unprecedented compilation of the most current New England food systems data and frames the data intentionally to inspire conversation and action towards New England producing and consuming more of its own food.

 

A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: Estimating Production for Regional Self Reliance

NOVEMBER 3, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE
To develop Volume 2, Chris Peters, of the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s Food Systems Research Unit, led a research team to create a model of regional self-reliance by estimating the region’s production of food commodities compared to its consumption. Using the model, the researchers outlined scenarios for how the six New England states could meet a goal of supplying 30% of our food from regional sources by 2030. Join us for an overview with Chris about what the team learned and for a discussion of the implications for the future of New Hampshire's food system. For your reference, read Volume 2: Estimating Resilient Eating Patterns.

 
A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: Economic Impact of New England’s Food System

DECEMBER 1, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE 
Volume 3 examines the question: Do we have the right mix of industries to ramp up food production? What sectors are growing? What sectors are declining? Nic Rockler, of Kavet, Rockler and Associates, led a team of researchers to estimate the number of people employed in New England’s food system, the economic impact of food system activities, economic multipliers for each industry, and the areas of growth and contraction. Join us for an overview with Nic about what the team learned and for a discussion of the implications for the future of New Hampshire's food system. For your reference, read Volume 3: Economic Impact of New England’s Food System.

 

A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: Understanding Market Channels and Food Expenditures

JANUARY 5, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE 
Volume 4 summarizes the work of a team of researchers, led by Holly Fowler of Northbound Ventures, who examined the role of market channels— grocery stores, restaurants, institutions and others— in distributing food to New England consumers and the potential for each market channel to contribute to the goal of consuming 30% regional food products by 2030. Join us for an overview with Holly about what the team learned and for a discussion of the implications for the future of New Hampshire's food system. For your reference, read Volume 4: Understanding Market Channels and Food Expenditures.

 

A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: Looking to our Neighbors: State Plans as Models for New Hampshire 

FEBRUARY 2, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE
New Hampshire has no shortage of organizations and businesses working tirelessly in support of our state's food system. But what would allow these organizations and businesses to work in a more coordinated and strategic way? During our February Network Cafe, we will explore the option of developing a state food system plan as a way to strategically coordinate the work of our network and food system. Julie Stelmaszyk, the Director of Food Strategy for the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and Ellen Kahler, Executive Director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, will join us to discuss the RI Food Strategy and the Vermont Farm to Plate Strategic Plan, respectively, as models for New Hampshire. For your reference, read the RI Food Strategy and the Vermont Farm to Plate Strategic Plan.

 

A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: What's Next for New Hampshire? Looking forward as a network

MARCH 1, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE
Details and description to come!

 

A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience: What's Next for New Hampshire? Looking forward as a network, part two

APRIL 5, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE
Details and description to come!

 


 

Past Network Café Summaries and Recordings

Catch up on past Network Cafés! Read summaries and watch recordings of below.

 

Join the NH Food Alliance for two upcoming opportunities to engage in advancing racial equity across the New Hampshire food system— the 8th Annual 21…
The NH Food Alliance held a Network Cafe discussion to convene discussion about two major initiatives from Food Solutions New England (FSNE). FSNE…
The NH Food Alliance held a Network Cafe discussion to convene network members, stakeholders, and potential collaborators from across the food system…
Watch the recording of the NH Food Alliance's January 2022 Network Cafe "NH Farm and Food Policy Roundup."
Watch the recording of the NH Food Alliance's November 2021 Network Cafe "Cost-Saving and Climate-Friendly: Accelerating On-Farm Solar in…
Watch the recording of the NH Food Alliance's October 2021 Network Cafe "Roll Call with NH Farm to School: Policy, Regional Network…
Watch the recording of the NH Food Alliance's September 2021 Network Cafe "Healthy Soils in NH: from Legislation to Community Action"
Learn more about how your town can be a champion of local agriculture by establishing an agriculture commission during the NH Food Alliance's…
On Friday, April 2, 2021, the NH Food Alliance hosted a Network Cafe discussion attended by farmers, food regulation and investigation…