September is Hunger Action Month — Nearly 49 million people in America face hunger, including more than 1 in 5 children. There’s a lot of great work happening on the Seacoast to connect people of all income levels with fresh, locally grown food.
3 ways you can help:
1. Attend Pig-A-Palooza on September 8th
Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit 68 Hours of Hunger as well as Seacoast Eat Local. 68 Hours of Hunger is an effort to confront the approximately 68 hours of hunger that some school children experience between the provided meals they receive in school on Friday afternoon and Monday morning. This program puts nourishing food in the hands of elementary school children to carry them through the weekend. Learn more about End 68 Hours of Hunger and Seacoast Eat Local’s SNAP/EBT program.
2. Donate produce from your garden to a food pantry
Many food pantries not only accept fresh food, they eagerly seek it out. Seacoast Grow-a-Row is an effort to encourage donations of fresh produce.
- Food pantries that accept fresh foods
- Food Providers Network
- Spread the word! Download a poster to share (.pdf)
For information on Grow-a-Row and Food providers in your area, contact: Susan Turner at 603-969-5318 or email: [email protected].
3. Donate today to support SNAP/EBT at more area farmers’ markets
Seacoast Eat Local is working hard to increase access to fresh, healthy, local food for recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps). Through the establishment of a token redemption program, recipients are now able to use their benefits at the Dover and Portsmouth Farmers’ Markets in the summer, and at Seacoast Eat Local’s winter markets. With your support, Seacoast Eat Local will be able offer the program at a larger number of farmers’ markets, and broaden access for SNAP recipients. The goal of the program is to not only improve this access to fresh foods and in turn improve nutrition and health, but also to invigorate the local economy and New Hampshire’s agricultural community. To this end, the program includes outreach and education to support purchasing, cooking, and enjoying a broad range of healthful, locally grown foods. Donate online or mail a donation to Seacoast Eat Local, 67 Airport Road, Newington, NH 03801. Donations are tax deductible.