Network Café Series

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.

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

OCTOBER 6, 12-1PM | REGISTER HERE

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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