DURHAM, N.H.—Northern and western areas of the Granite State have a higher proportion of low-income residents and low population density, factors associated with an increased risk of food insecurity, according to new research released by the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire.

The research also found that the distribution of retail food sources across the state mirrors the population distribution, although residents outside the I-93 corridor in northern New Hampshire have few food retailers to choose from, particularly grocery stores and farm food options.

“Although farms are not the only source for fresh foods, they can be an important one,” said Jess Carson, research assistant professor with the Vulnerable Families Research Program at Carsey. “That many communities in rural New Hampshire do not have access to farm fresh foods is sobering and identifying where residents have less frequent access to fresh foods is useful for targeting nutrition information, planning new farm-to-table initiatives and supplementing retail environments with additional food variety to meet community needs.”

The full report can be found here: https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/mapping-food-landscape-NH.

The Carsey School of Public Policy conducts research, leadership development, and engaged scholarship relevant to public policy. They address pressing challenges, striving for innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions at all levels of government and in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.