At UNH, sustainability is the collective commitment to human dignity for all people and ecological integrity in all places, and part of UNH Sustainability Institute’s work is to serve as the backbone organization for the NH Food Alliance (NHFA), which connects and amplifies the incredible work of partners throughout New Hampshire and New England by catalyzing collaboration and collective action. NHFA works to grow and sustain local farms, fisheries, and food businesses, secure healthy food access for all, build climate resilience, and ensure racial equity in our communities and workplaces.
In partnership with various UNH offices and many NH community businesses and organizations, NHFA recently hosted the 6th annual NH Food System Statewide Gathering. It’s the only event in New Hampshire bringing together individuals, businesses, and organizations across sectors who are dedicated to growing an improved local food system that works for all in the Granite State: people, businesses, communities, and the environment. Under the theme HARVESTING THE MOMENTUM: the Power of Local in Building a Reliable Food System, over 150 people gathered to share and build on innovative community responses to COVID-19 and opportunities to continue emphasizing the power of local in creating a resilient and vibrant future for the local food system.
Virtual sessions included conversations about our regional food system in relation to racial equity, climate change, food insecurity and access, resiliency and supporting our local businesses. Short-form “Share your Story” videos (90-second presentations) highlighted local work being done to strengthen the food system. Despite being virtual, the Gathering was highly interactive and response was overwhelmingly positive; attendees submitted one-word feedback responses to the organizers: thoughtful, motivating, inspiring, rich, connected, inclusive, activating, refreshing, hopeful, encouraging, and more.
Watch the recordings and get inspired by the 2021 NH Food System Statewide Gathering virtual sessions, presentations, and roundtables, including a keynote address by Laura Brown of Fox Point Oysters, the Meet New Hampshire Makers virtual tasting event, and Closing Notes & Call to Action by Evan Mallet of the Black Trumpet.
