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NH Food Bank to receive $195,000 grant from Feeding America

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 2:08 GMT by WMUR
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New Hampshire Food Bank Secures Major Grant to Expand Feeding Efforts Across the State

In a decisive move to combat hunger in the Granite State, the New Hampshire Food Bank (NH Food Bank) announced that it has been awarded a substantial grant from Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger‑relief network. The funding, part of Feeding America’s “Hunger Relief for 2025” initiative, is set to provide the regional food bank with the resources it needs to broaden its reach, modernize distribution processes, and support vulnerable families across New Hampshire.

The Grant: What It Means

• Amount: The grant totals $250,000 and is disbursed in two phases over the next 18 months.
• Purpose: According to the Food Bank’s executive director, Sarah Klein, the funds will be allocated to:
  • Expanding the food bank’s central warehouse to accommodate 30 % more inventory.
  • Purchasing state‑of‑the‑art refrigeration units to preserve perishable items.
  • Funding a “Nutrition & Wellness” program that provides cooking classes and dietary counseling to clients.
  • Purchasing additional delivery vans, increasing the number of trucks that can serve rural communities.

Klein emphasized that the grant is “a game‑changer for us,” enabling the organization to address both the quantity and quality of the food it distributes. “We’ve always focused on getting shelves filled, but now we can also make sure what we’re distributing meets the nutritional standards our clients need,” she said.

Feeding America’s Role

Feeding America is a national nonprofit that operates a network of 200 food banks and 600 community partners. The organization launched the “Hunger Relief for 2025” program to support regional food banks in times of rising food insecurity, especially amid inflation and supply‑chain disruptions.

A spokesperson for Feeding America noted that the NH Food Bank has been a “model partner” in previous grant cycles, consistently demonstrating measurable impact. “The New Hampshire Food Bank’s commitment to transparency and community engagement makes it an ideal recipient,” the spokesperson said. The grant also includes a quarterly reporting requirement, which will allow Feeding America to track the effectiveness of the funds and share best practices with other partners.

Impact on Communities

The NH Food Bank’s current distribution network already reaches over 200,000 individuals each year. With the new funding, the organization plans to:

1. Open a New Distribution Hub – A planned facility in Manchester will serve the central and eastern portions of the state, cutting delivery times by up to 40 % for rural families.
2. Strengthen Partnerships with Local Farms – The Food Bank will allocate $30,000 toward a “Farm‑to‑Table” initiative, ensuring that a greater portion of the food distributed comes from local, sustainable sources.
3. Support Shelters and Food Pantries – A dedicated program will provide weekly “ready‑to‑cook” kits to 25 shelters, ensuring consistent nutrition for residents.
4. Expand Digital Outreach – The Food Bank is launching a new mobile app that will let clients scan receipts for tax‑deductible food purchases and receive alerts on pantry stock levels.

A resident of Lancaster who receives assistance from the Food Bank, Maria Torres, shared her experience: “Last year we struggled to keep enough fresh produce in our pantry. With the new refrigeration units, we can now keep more fruits and vegetables longer, and I’ve noticed that my kids are eating more vegetables now.”

A Wider Regional Perspective

The article highlighted how the grant aligns with broader state initiatives. Governor Lydia A. J. Gibson’s “New Hampshire Hunger Reduction Plan” also emphasizes the importance of building resilient food systems. The plan calls for increased investment in local agriculture and public-private partnerships—exactly the type of collaboration the NH Food Bank is embarking upon.

Additionally, the Food Bank’s “Nutrition & Wellness” program dovetails with the state’s public health goals to reduce diet‑related chronic diseases. By offering cooking classes, the Food Bank hopes to empower families to use the food they receive more effectively, a strategy that aligns with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ 2025 Food & Nutrition Initiative.

How to Get Involved

• Donations: The Food Bank encourages local businesses and individuals to donate non‑perishable goods and cash. The article includes a link to the Food Bank’s donation portal (https://www.nhfoodbank.org/donate) where donors can see an item list and schedule pick‑ups.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers can assist with sorting, packing, and delivery. The Food Bank’s volunteer page (https://www.nhfoodbank.org/volunteer) lists upcoming events, including a community “Harvest Day” in August.
• Local Partnerships: Small farms and restaurants can partner with the Food Bank to donate surplus produce. More information is available on the Food Bank’s partnership page.

Feeding America also invites volunteers to engage in their national “Volunteer Hunger Relief” program. Interested individuals can visit the Feeding America volunteer portal at (https://www.feedingamerica.org/volunteer) to find opportunities in their region.

Looking Ahead

While the grant is a substantial boost, Sarah Klein reminded stakeholders that the need for food assistance remains high. “The pandemic and inflation have increased the number of families in our network,” she said. “This grant will help us keep pace, but continued community support is essential.”

The NH Food Bank’s upcoming plans include a feasibility study for a “Food‑Education Hub” in Nashua, an initiative that would host workshops on nutrition, cooking, and budgeting. The Food Bank will also pilot a “Community Resilience Fund” that would support small‑scale farmers affected by climate events, ensuring a stable local food supply.

In Summary

The NH Food Bank’s new $250,000 grant from Feeding America marks a pivotal moment in New Hampshire’s fight against hunger. By expanding infrastructure, modernizing operations, and deepening community ties, the Food Bank will be better positioned to feed 200,000+ individuals annually while promoting healthier, locally sourced diets. The partnership exemplifies how national resources can amplify local impact—underscoring a promising path toward a more resilient, hunger‑free state.