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Nonprofit group opens community food center in Portsmouth

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 20:05 GMT by WMUR
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Portsmouth’s New “Gather” Food Center: A Community Hub for Nutrition, Culture, and Hope

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is poised to welcome a groundbreaking food‑service facility that promises to transform how residents access fresh food, learn nutrition, and connect with neighbors. The city’s latest venture, dubbed the Gather Food Center, will combine a full‑scale food bank, a community kitchen, and an event space into one vibrant hub on the waterfront. Local officials, nonprofit partners, and civic‑engaged residents have hailed the project as a vital step toward reducing hunger and fostering a healthier, more connected Portsmouth.

A Story Rooted in Community Needs

The idea for the Gather Food Center sprouted from a series of community‑feedback sessions held by the city’s Department of Human Services in 2023. While the city’s existing pantry at the Portsmouth Food Bank served about 2,500 families per year, organizers noted that many of those families were also missing out on healthy meal options, cooking skills, and cultural connection.

“We saw a real gap,” said Mayor Matt Driscoll in a city‑wide press conference, “between simply providing a bag of groceries and truly equipping people to feed themselves and their families in a sustainable, nutritious way.” In response, the city launched a public‑private partnership that brought together the Portsmouth Food Bank, the local chapter of the Food Pantries of New Hampshire, the city council, and a host of private donors.

Funding and Partnerships

The center’s $4.2 million budget combines several streams:

• City Grants: Portsmouth allocated $1.6 million of its $30 million capital‑improvement fund toward the project.
• State Support: New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services contributed a matching grant of $900,000.
• Private Donations: A coalition of local businesses—including a major grocery chain, a regional restaurant group, and several individual philanthropists—donated $1.1 million in cash and in‑kind items such as kitchen equipment and produce.
• Federal Assistance: The USDA’s Food Distribution Program provided a $500,000 grant earmarked for infrastructure upgrades.

The collaborative funding approach reflects a broader trend in New England, where municipalities are increasingly partnering with nonprofits to create “food‑centric” community hubs that serve multiple roles—food pantry, culinary classroom, and cultural center.

Design and Layout

The Gather Food Center will be housed in a renovated 10,000‑square‑foot warehouse on the old Portsmouth Harbor rail yard. Its design blends industrial charm with modern sustainability:

• Food Bank & Distribution – A climate‑controlled storage area will hold staples such as rice, beans, canned goods, and fresh produce for the city’s 15,000‑person population. An adjoining receiving dock will allow local farmers to drop off fresh items without needing to leave the city limits.
• Community Kitchen – A 2,500‑square‑foot, fully‑equipped kitchen will provide chefs, volunteers, and community members a place to cook meals. The space will host weekly cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and cultural cooking nights featuring cuisines from the city’s diverse immigrant communities.
• Event Hall – A flexible event space can seat up to 200 people and will serve as a venue for food‑related festivals, fundraisers, and educational seminars. The hall will also double as a temporary shelter in emergencies.

The building’s façade will showcase murals painted by local artists, and a green roof will help mitigate stormwater runoff while providing a small garden for community‑grown produce.

Services and Programs

Beyond the standard food‑bank services, Gather will introduce a range of programs tailored to the needs of Portsmouth’s residents:

1. Nutrition Education Series – Monthly seminars on topics such as “Budget‑Friendly Grocery Shopping” and “Meal Prep for Families.” Partnerships with the local university’s nutrition department will help create evidence‑based curricula.
2. Culinary Apprenticeship – Working‑students will gain hands‑on experience in a commercial kitchen while receiving a stipend. The apprenticeship will be open to high‑school students and community members who wish to pursue culinary careers.
3. Farm‑to‑Table Outreach – Local farmers will be invited to host “Farmers’ Days” at the center, where they can showcase seasonal produce, run cooking demos, and sell directly to the public.
4. Cultural Food Nights – Each month, a different cultural group will present a meal that reflects their heritage. These events are designed to build cross‑cultural understanding and provide families with access to unfamiliar, nutritious foods.
5. Volunteer Programs – From food sorting to event staffing, volunteers will have a variety of roles to choose from. The center will also offer “Volunteer‑In‑Residence” opportunities for individuals who want to commit a larger block of time.

All programs are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025, with the building’s grand opening slated for September 1st, 2025.

Community Response

While many local residents are thrilled about the new hub, the project has sparked a healthy debate about how best to allocate limited municipal resources. Some critics argue that the $4.2 million could be better spent on direct food assistance or public transportation. In response, Mayor Driscoll and the city council emphasized that the center is a multifunctional asset designed to deliver long‑term benefits.

“The center is an investment in our community’s future,” said Councilwoman Sarah Jones in a recent town hall. “By equipping people with food, knowledge, and skills, we’re tackling the root causes of food insecurity.”

Residents have also expressed excitement over the potential for local economic development. The presence of a large, centrally located food hub is expected to attract other businesses—such as a new farmers’ market storefront and a small‑scale bakery—thereby creating jobs and increasing foot traffic downtown.

Looking Ahead

The Gather Food Center is emblematic of a broader movement toward “food hubs” that serve as centers of distribution, education, and community engagement. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, more than 20 municipalities across the state are in various stages of planning or construction of similar facilities.

Portsmouth’s initiative stands out for its inclusive design, diverse partnerships, and strong focus on cultural integration. As the city prepares for the center’s opening, city officials are already looking to future expansions that might include a mobile pantry to serve residents in outlying neighborhoods and a partnership with the local school district to integrate nutrition education into the curriculum.

If the initial rollout proves successful, the Gather Food Center could become a model for other New England towns grappling with food insecurity. By turning a warehouse into a beacon of nutrition, skill‑building, and community solidarity, Portsmouth is taking a bold step toward ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to nourish not only their bodies but also their shared sense of belonging.