NH Farm to School Workgroup

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The NH Farm to School Workgroup is a short-term, time-limited workgroup convened to inform the future direction, priorities, and strategic focus of NH Farm to School as it transitions into its next phase. Over approximately five meetings, the workgroup will gather input from key stakeholders to assess current needs, opportunities, and gaps across education, agriculture, and food systems. Insights from this process will help guide programmatic, policy, and partnership decisions to strengthen farm to school efforts statewide and better support New Hampshire farmers, schools, and communities.

This workgroup is led by:

  • Laura Alimayu, NH Farm to School Coordinator, UNH Extension
  • Mike Smith, NH Ag in the Classroom, UNH Extension

The NH Farm to School workgroup will be launched in February 2026.  The four meetings of this time limited workgroup are as follows: 

  • February 16, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • March 16, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • April 20, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm
  • May 18, 2026 1:00 to 2:30pm 

 If you are interested in joining this workgroup, please fill out the form linked below.

 JOIN THE WORKGROUP

Recommendation Status Brief Topic Type of Action
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…
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, Schools or Institutions, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Program creation, support, or expansion, Policy/Regulation
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…
Goals & Tags: Technical Assistance Providers, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 Not Started Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
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…
Goals & Tags: State Agencies, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 Not Started Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
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…
Goals & Tags: State Agencies, Farm, Fish, or Food Business, State/NH, (goal) Farm, Fish, and Food Business Viability
 Not Started Production Techniques for Sustainable Ecosystems Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding
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…
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, Communities/Consumers, State/NH, (goal) Local Food Economy, (goal) Nutrition and Access
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Coordination/Network development or support, Investment/Funding
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.…
Goals & Tags: State Agencies, Nonprofits, Technical Assistance Providers, Communities/Consumers, State/NH, (goal) Nutrition and Access, (goal) Equity and Justice, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding, Policy/Regulation
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…
Goals & Tags: Farm, Fish, or Food Business, Communities/Consumers, Nonprofits, State/NH, (goal) Nutrition and Access, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study
Systematize food access data collection
Incorporate food access into existing statewide and regional data collection systems, like Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs), Community…
Goals & Tags: State Agencies, UNH Extension, Nonprofits, State/NH, New England Regional, (goal) Nutrition and Access, (goal) Local Food Economy
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study
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.…
Goals & Tags: Nonprofits, State Agencies, Federal Agencies, State/NH, National, (goal) Nutrition and Access
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Coordination/Network development or support, Research/Study
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…
Goals & Tags: Nonprofits, State Agencies, State/NH, (goal) Equity and Justice, (goal) Nutrition and Access
 Not Started Nutrition Access & Security Program creation, support, or expansion, Investment/Funding

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