Carroll County Food Access

Mission

Carroll County Food Access Network is a resource to optimize access to affordable, nutritious, food for all people with efforts focused on supporting the local food system in Carroll County, New Hampshire.

Who we are

The Carroll County Food Access Network was established with support from UNH Extension to connect local and state agencies in addressing key food access challenges. These priority areas were identified through a comprehensive community food access needs assessment conducted in 2023.

To support the network’s efforts, UNH Extension partnered with NH Hunger Solutions to form a backbone team that facilitates collaboration. Additionally, working teams were created to focus on the identified priority areas.

What we do

  • Older Adults: Renee Wheaton, Age Friendly Communities

    • Goal #1 - Increase older adult meal participation by 5% by January 2026 through networking and collaborations.

    Youth (School meals)

    • Goal #2 - (Long Term Goal) Assist School Districts with School Meals Applications (free/reduced meals application) for families, and SNAP Outreach.

    Youth (School Breakfast): Riona Corr, NH Hunger Solutions

    • Goal #3 - Increase School breakfast participation by 15% by the 2025/2026 school year.

    Youth (Summer meals): Meredith Howe, NH Food Bank

    • Goal #4 - Expand Summer meal programs and delivery options by one location (in another school district) next summer.

    Housing Insecure individuals: Way Station

    • Goal #5 - Assist agencies with reaching individuals experiencing homelessness to provide healthy meals/food in the areas they are living.

    Individuals living with disabilities

    • Goal #6 - Assist agencies with reaching individuals living with disabilities to ensure they have access to healthy meals/food.

    • Goal #1 - Form a SNAP Outreach Action Team of at least three people/agencies

    • Goal #2 - Connect and communicate with NH Food Bank SNAP Outreach Coordinator

    • Goal #3 - SNAP Outreach Action Team or SNAP Assistors will follow up with clients

    • Goal #4 - Identify Carroll County CHW and make a resource list to share with CCFAN and other agencies

  • WIC at Farmers Market: Leader Camie Wade WIC Director

    • Goal #1 - Assist WIC to connect 1-3 Farmers Markets (with 1-3 farmers at each connected market) in the county with “WIC at the Farmers Market” program.

    Mount Washington Valley Eaters and Growers (MWVeg)

    • Goal #2 - Distribute the MWVeg Farm Guide to all three farmers markets and share the digital version on (CCFAN) social media at least once per quarter.

    • Goal #3 - Establish a liaison between CCFAN and MWVeg Food For All Program.

    Local food access to reduce food insecurity: Nadine SanAntonio

    • Goal #4 - Promote and maximize utilization of the NH Feeding NH program at all 6 food pantries, Gibson Center and Ossipee Concerned Citizens.

    • Goal #5 - Promote use of SNAP Incentives such as DUFB and GSMM at 10 events in 2025.

    County Lands and Annex Use for food Access

    • Goal #6 - (2nd Year of Project) Research the needs of the farmers and how to best use the county land, buildings, and equipment.

  • Keep in Touch Food Pantry Network

    • Goal #1 - Establish a food pantry network that includes representatives from each Carroll County Food Pantry.

    Leah’s Pantry Nutrition Pantry Program

    • Goal #2 - Initiate the Nutrition Pantry Program in at least one food pantry in Carroll County

    NH Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry

    • Goal #3 - Promote and report on Mobile Food Pantry - NH Food Bank

    Other Innovative Efforts

    • Goal #4 - Promote and Report on other innovative programs for emergency food access

  • Transportation

    • Goal #1 - Establish a liaison between the Regional Coordination Council for Transportation and CCFAN.

    Economic Improvements

    • Goal #2 - Establish a liaison between CCFAN and Municipalities through economic development councils and planning commissions.

Our Projects

Carroll County Food Access Needs Assessment

Quick Facts 2023

A quick facts sheet about the 2023 survey results and information about food security in Carroll County

In 2022, UNH Extension received a Well Connected Communities grant to conduct an in-depth food access needs assessment. In partnership with the Carroll County Food Access Network and the Carsey School of Public Policy, this assessment compiled data from community and farmer/producer surveys, focus groups, and other county and state sources. The findings informed the creation of Priority Area Teams, which set goals and implement action steps to improve access to healthy, affordable food in Carroll County.

Needs Assessment Tools - Packet

Loved our survey? Take a look at what we used for our needs assessment and make plans to host your own! make sure to reach out if you have any questions.

Partners

We strengthen people and communities in New Hampshire by providing trusted knowledge, practical education and cooperative solutions.

NH Hunger Solutions is a food access nonprofit focusing on four priority areas:

1. Engage in policy advocacy to close the gap between those eligible for and those enrolled in federal nutrition programs (SNAP, School Meals, Summer Meals, WIC)

2. Work with schools and communities to increase participation in school meals

3. Increase public awareness of the causes of and solutions to hunger in New Hampshire

4. Engage in coalition building among existing and emerging food access councils and coalitions

Contact us

Joy Gagnon

Nutrition Connections Teacher
Health & Well-Being Teacher

Joy.Gagnon@unh.edu

Phone: (603) 447-3834

Cooperative Extension
Taylor Hall
Durham, NH 03824