NH Eats Local Month kicks Off With a Challenge

Nearly 100 businesses and organizations around the state are gearing up for 2022 NH Eats Local Month, coordinated by the NH Food Alliance, throughout the month of August. This year's celebration of farms and food in New Hampshire is centered around the Live Free + Eat Local Challenge. Granite Staters can eat at or from five New Hampshire farms or other food businesses throughout the month of August for a chance to win a delicious local prize.

“We know Granite Staters are up for the Live Free + Eat Local Challenge. Embracing our local farmers, fisherman, and food producers is a way of life in New Hampshire. The Challenge gives everyone the chance to not only support our food system, but to celebrate it and share it with their friends, families, and co-workers. Food connects us all and I’m excited to see how both eaters and partners can really pull out the stops this August to celebrate our state’s delicious local food,” said Colleen Stewart, Communications Coordinator for the NH Food Alliance.

“Whether you adventure to a farm for pick-your-own peaches, look for local food at the grocery store (and ask a manager about it if you don’t see any!), visit your closest farmers’ market, or buy some seafood from the coast - there are endless ways to eat local food during August in New Hampshire. Finding ways to eat locally is important all year long, but NH Eats Local Month is an opportunity for each of us to put our money where our mouth is - and help engage our children, friends, coworkers and community in the foodshed around us,” said Nicole Cardwell, Program Director for the NH Food Alliance.

Here’s what’s happening for 2022 NH Eats Local Month:

Live Free + Eat Local Challenge

Live Free. Eat Local. Win Prizes! The NH Food Alliance is challenging Granite Staters to eat at or from five or more New Hampshire farm or food businesses throughout August. Granite Staters who participate in the Challenge will write the name and location of each farm or food business on their Live Free + Eat Local Challenge submission form and submit it to the NH Food Alliance by August 31. Challenge submission forms are available at over 50 NH Eats Local Month Partner businesses around the state and on nheatslocal.com as a downloadable print-at-home form or an online submission form. All completed Live Free + Eat Local Challenge submission forms received by the NH Food Alliance by August 31 will be entered to win prizes donated by NH Eats Local Month partners, including gift cards to the Littleton Food Co-op, Emery Farm, Co-op Food Stores, Kearsarge Food Hub, and more.

The Governor’s Farmers’ Market Week and NH Eats Local Month Proclamation

During National Farmers’ Market Week, August 7-13, the Governor’s Office and the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food will host a Farmers’ Market Week and NH Eats Local Month Proclamation presentation at a farmers’ market in the state. More details will be released by the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food. Find a farmers’ market near you here.

Six Ways to Live Free + Eat Local 

Want to eat local but not sure where to start? Check out “Six Ways to Live Free + Eat Local,” which outlines six different ideas, inspirations, and resources to find and support local farms.  A compilation of the states’ best tools and resources, the NH Eats Local website can help you find your local farmers market, restaurants that source locally, pick-your-own experiences, and more!