September 10th, 2015

Press Release

Contact: Alyssa Lemmermann, Local Foods Coordinator

(603) 975-0110

localfood@merrimackccd.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September is Hunger Action Month, but the fight to end hunger is year-round. In our nation of plenty, around 49 million people struggle with food insecurity. There may be families in your own neighborhood that don’t know where their next meal is going to come from. In New Hampshire alone, 1 in 9 people struggle with hunger. Try to imagine choosing between food and rent, or between food and utilities- choices that many people are faced with. September is Hunger Action Month, and it is an opportunity to participate in your community’s efforts to end hunger.

The Merrimack County Conservation District (MCCD) is involved in several efforts to alleviate food insecurity. Anyone receiving SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits can shop at the Concord Farmers’ Market with MCCD’s token program and receive up to $10 extra to spend with Granite State Market Match. This stretches SNAP dollars further, allowing greater access to fresh, healthy food for families.

As critical as shelf-stable food items are to food pantries and the families they feed, these same pantries are also in need of fresh produce. MCCD helps to address this need by delivering fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms to area food pantries. As part of NH Gleans, MCCD collects and harvests food from local farms and donates it to those in need.

Inspired to help? MCCD is always looking for volunteers to assist with these two programs. And there are so many other ways you can help! You can host food drives, volunteer at community food pantries or soup kitchens, donate extra food from your garden, write to local politicians, write to your local newspaper, and educate yourself about hunger in your community to teach others.

For a list of food pantries MCCD partners with to provide fruits and vegetables from local farms, or with any other questions, please call us at 603.975.0110 or email at localfood@merrimackccd.org.