Through this program, SNAP customers will receive a 1-to-1 match of up to $250 toward the purchase of a fruit and vegetable CSA share. This opportunity is available through Seacoast Eat Local and is limited to one matched CSA per customer.

With CSA signups wrapping up soon and limited spots available, we encourage interested community members to sign up as early as possible.

How the SNAP CSA Match Works

SNAP customers can use their benefits to purchase a CSA share and receive matching GSMM funds up to $250.

Examples:

• A $200 CSA would receive a $100 GSMM match
• A $500 CSA would receive the maximum $250 GSMM match

How the SNAP CSA Process Works

1. Visit the Portsmouth Farmers’ Market or Exeter Farmers’ Market
2. Stop by the big blue Seacoast Eat Local Info Booth and ask staff about SNAP CSA opportunities
3. Market staff will connect you with participating farms offering CSA shares
4. Complete the SEL signup form along with any additional signup documents requirements by the farm
5. Each week or bi-weekly, visit the market to process your SNAP payment towards your CSA share
6. Pick up your CSA share at any location designated by the farm within two weeks of processing payment 

This program supports a more resilient and equitable local food system by increasing access to fresh, locally grown food. Thank you Granite State Market Match for the partnership. We are excited to offer this opportunity to SNAP households while also increasing the customer base for local farms.

This vehicle is being sold as-is and is fully operational. It got new batteries and brake pads in April of 2026. At that time it was also given an inspection. There were no mechanical issues or problems found with the chassis. An invoice of this service can be provided at your request. This vehicle is ready for the buyer to get it registered and hit the road! You will not find a vehicle like this anywhere. It is totally customized and one-of-a-kind. It is perfect for any farm, food business, farmers market, food hub, or similar business.

Click here to view more information and a detailed listing

Please help us share this opportunity with any businesses you know who may be interested.

Our SNAP/EBT Farmers’ Market Program allows recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, to purchase fresh, healthy, locally grown food at our markets. Since launching this program in 2011, we’ve worked to make it available year-round. In the winter months, SNAP is accepted not only at our Rollinsford and Stratham Farmers’ Markets, but also at our partner locations including Kittery Community Market, Heron Pond Farm, and McKenzie’s Farm. Together, these sites expand access points across our region. This season, $2,120 in SNAP and Market Match was spent at our partner farm stands, and an additional $2,852 in SNAP and Market Match was spent at Kittery Community Market alone. This winter, a total of $3,292 in SNAP benefits was spent at our Rollinsford and Stratham farmers’ markets, directly supporting both community members and local farmers.

For many shoppers, SNAP goes even further thanks to Granite State Market Match. This program doubles the value of SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables, effectively offering participants up to 50% off these purchases. At our Rollinsford and Stratham markets alone, more than $2,000 in Market Match incentives were utilized, helping households bring home more fresh food while increasing sales for local producers.

We were also proud to partner with Vouchers for Veterans, a nonprofit that provides Veterans and active-duty service members in New Hampshire and Maine with vouchers to spend directly with farmers and food producers. they had 3,085 interactions with Veterans accessed, local food at our markets. In total, $61,215 in vouchers were redeemed, supporting 63 local farmers and food producers, while helping to ensure those who have served our country have access to nourishing food.

When the government shutdown impacted many in our community this November, we recognized the immediate need for additional support. In response, we launched Community Bonus Bucks (CBB), a short-term incentive program designed to help bridge that gap. CBB provided $30 in market currency to SNAP recipients as well as furloughed or unpaid federal workers, offering a flexible way to purchase food at our winter markets. Across both locations, $3,255 in Community Bonus Bucks was redeemed.

This work is not done alone! It is made possible by strong partnerships, dedicated vendors who believe in these programs, and a community that shows up and helps spread the word. Together, we are building a more accessible and resilient local food system for all.

Learn More & Get Support

If you’d like to learn more about using SNAP at farmers’ markets, visit:
https://seacoasteatlocal.org/get-involved/

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, you can apply for benefits here:
https://nheasy.nh.gov/#/ or call 1-844-275-3447

Additional resources, including local food pantries, are available:

Food Pantries in NH

Food Pantries in ME

Food Pantries in MA

What Is a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, this is a program between a farm and a consumer where the consumer will pay, in advance, for a share of the crops for the season. This ensures that farmers have the capital to start their season strong and the customer gets produce discounts in the long run by paying up-front. 

The concept of community supported agriculture (CSA) and pick-your-own (PYO) memberships originated in the 1960s with Dr. Booker T. Whatley, an agriculture professor at Tuskegee University, as a way to support local Black farmers in Alabama. What started in the 1960s as a basic share, has evolved with various options. 

Most Popular Types of CSAs 

Traditional CSA: Members receive a weekly or bi-weekly share of the farm’s harvest – either picking up directly on the farm, or at a local pickup site coordinated by the farmer. In a traditional CSA box,  each week you will receive an assortment of fresh, seasonal produce.  In June, this could include lettuce, broccoli raab, green onions, turnips, and radishes. 

Customizable CSA: Allows members to tailor their shares based on individual preferences, lowering the chances of food waste. This is a great option for those who are concerned with product variety or food waste!

Market-style CSA: Allows members to “shop” their items at a designated pick-up spot, farmers’ market, or farm stand/store. You can select your produce from what’s available that week.

Why Join a CSA?

“For customers, CSA provides a direct connection to their food system. They are in regular communication with their farmer. They can eat with the change of seasons. Often, CSAs are cost-effective for a customer, especially for high-end, organic produce. Additionally, many studies suggest being a CSA member/shareholder improves health through increased vegetable consumption.” (Source)

Joining a CSA strengthens our local economy and environment, and promotes food system resilience. A big part of CSA is supporting local farmers. Your share provides reliable income early in the season to help farmers plan their season, invest in equipment, and create local jobs. Farmers’ need to be able to support their farm and the crops they grow for their families and communities. CSAs assure farmers’ that they will have financial support going into the season through sharing the risk and reward with the community supporting the farm operation. 

In addition, CSAs build partnerships, customers enjoy more nutritious seasonal produce while building meaningful relationships with the farmers who grow your food. Members share in both the bounty of good harvests and the risks of challenging seasons, cultivating a deeper connection to where food comes from. CSAs provide customers a direct connection to where their food comes from.

Finally, CSAs provide important environmental benefits. Local food means less transport, lower emissions, and healthier local farmland. Many farmers prioritize organic and regenerative farming practices, unlike industrial agriculture, which often relies heavily on pesticides that can be harmful to humans, animals, and surrounding ecosystems. Industrial agriculture also frequently uses monocropping, growing a single crop in one area, which can reduce biodiversity and weaken soil health. In contrast, a key part to CSAs are a diverse selection of crops, which helps improve soil fertility and support a more balanced ecosystem. By caring for the land they live on, local farmers benefit both the environment and the consumer. 

Check out www.seacoastharvest.org to find farms that offer CSA subscriptions and visit their websites and social media to see if they have shares available!

“Take what you need, leave what you can!” That’s the motto of the local community fridges that have been popping up around the Seacoast. 

Written by: Emma Harold, Communication Coordinator, emma@secoasteatlocal.org

What Is a Community Fridge?

A community fridge is a public fridge and/or pantry that anyone can pick up food from, no questions asked. These fridges are located in central areas around the Seacoast and are open 24/7 to help address food insecurity and waste in our communities. Anyone who is in need of extra help regarding food is welcome to use them.

These fridges exist for everyone in the community. With the understanding that if you need access to a meal, pantry dry goods, or personal hygiene products, there is the ability to access these items free of charge. If you have the means to help stock these items, your generosity is deeply appreciated! 

Why Community Fridges Matter

Food access for all is a priority that has grown even greater in the past decade. In our community, many of our neighbors face barriers that make it difficult to get access to consistent, nutritious meals. Community fridges are mutual-aid projects created to help bridge this gap by providing meals, ingredients, dry goods, and hygiene products- ensuring everyone has access to essential resources. 

Community fridges also act as a way to mitigate food waste. All are encouraged to bring any leftovers or pantry items that would otherwise be sent to the landfill!

Locations!

Newmarket Community Fridge: 207 S. Main Street | Facebook  | Instagram | Amazon Wishlist

Portsmouth Community Fridge: 80 Manor Drive | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon Wishlist

Exeter Community Fridge: 56 Linden Street |  Facebook  | Instagram

Kittery Community Fridge: 120 Rodger Road | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon Wishlist

How to Support Community Fridges

Support your local community fridge by making an extra meal to drop off, or by picking up a few extra items during your next grocery trip. Whether it’s canned goods, hygiene products, frozen food, baby formula or a homemade meal- every contribution helps nourish your neighbors. 

Don’t know what to contribute? Fridges’ social media pages frequently share current needs or updates on stocking. For safety reasons, many of these fridges require dates of when the food was made/when it is good until, and any allergens that may be present. Please note that raw or uncooked food, alcoholic beverages, medicines/supplements, expired items, clothing & toys, household items, and opened/partially used items are not accepted at these locations. Click here to learn more about what products can be accepted. 

Most fridges are volunteer-run! Visit your local fridge’s social media pages to find out how you can donate your time. Volunteer responsibilities include wiping down the inside of the fridge, tossing expired food, organizing the products, or notifying if there are any specific needs.

Looking to support but don’t have much time? Some fridges offer Amazon Wishlists for essential pantry items and accept donations!

We also want to recognize local restaurants, farmers, and food producers who regularly donate meals and produce. Your contributions do not go unnoticed and make a meaningful impact across the Seacoast. 

If you or someone you know are struggling to access food, these fridges are here to help. Social media pages often share when fridges are freshly stocked, along with photos and updates. 

Community Fridges strengthen our community by ensuring everyone has access to basic necessities they deserve. Thank you to all of our community members who continue to support fridges across the Seacoast.

When the federal government shuts down, the impacts go far beyond Washington. Families across our region start to feel it quickly, especially those who rely on SNAP to buy groceries and those who work for the federal government and suddenly aren’t receiving a paycheck. We’ve been hearing from shoppers and vendors about growing uncertainty around food access and market sales.

As a farmers’ market organization, our responsibility is to both the people who grow the food and the people who need it. So beginning at the November 15 Winter Farmers’ Market in Stratham, Seacoast Eat Local will launch a temporary emergency incentive called Community Bonus Bucks. 

Community Bonus Bucks are $30 in market currency that can be used at our Stratham and Rollinsford Winter Farmers’ Markets. This incentive is available to:

1. SNAP participants – Show your SNAP/EBT card at the market info booth and receive $30 in Community Bonus Bucks. No balance is required on your card.

2. Furloughed or unpaid federal government workers – Show your federal employee ID at the info booth to receive $30 in Community Bonus Bucks. 

Customers are limited to one redemption of $30 per person, per day. Community Bonus Bucks must be spent on the day they are received at Seacoast Eat Local’s Rollinsford and Stratham Farmers Markets only. This program will be offered only while the government shutdown is still in effect and while funding is available to support the program. We will post updates on our social media channels and websites. Interested customers should check these pages before each market date to see if the program is being offered.

Community Bonus Bucks can be spent on any food product at the market, including: vegetables, fruit, greens, eggs, meat, cheese, bread, honey, maple syrup, and prepared or packaged foods.

This program is designed to do two things at the same time:

1. Help households keep fresh, local food on the table during the shutdown

2. Help farmers and food producers continue to see steady sales at winter markets

Food producers rely on winter markets as a core part of their income. If shoppers lose access to SNAP dollars or go unpaid due to the shutdown, sales drop and producers feel it immediately. Community Bonus Bucks is one way we can help close that gap. This emergency incentive is made possible through a combination of philanthropic support and individual donations from people in this community who believe that access to food and support for local farms shouldn’t disappear during a shutdown.

We’ll share weekly updates on our website and social media about whether Community Bonus Bucks will be offered at each upcoming market. If you or someone you know could benefit, please help spread the word.

Please continue to check our website and social media channels for updates on how long the program will be offered.

UPDATE 1/5/26

Despite the Government shutdown ending, we will be offering Community Bonus Bucks through the rest of our Winter Farmers’ Markets season for SNAP recipients. The one change in how we will operate this starting in January is that SNAP recipients will only receive Community Bonus Bucks if they do not get SNAP tokens and Granite State Market Match on the same day.  In November in December, we offered Community Bonus Bucks even if SNAP recipients got SNAP and Market Match. SNAP recipients can show their SNAP card to receive the incentive, whether or not they have a SNAP balance.

For anyone interested in making a donation: At this time, we have ample support from a generous donor to pay for the cost of the bonus bucks. However, there are many other costs associated with offering a new incentive program that we are absorbing into our regular operations.  Making a donation to Seacoast Eat Local will help us continue to do this important work. To make a donation, please view this page.

This summer brought an exciting opportunity for our organization. Thanks to the new Lilac Club Casino in Rochester, we raised $47,372 in revenue from charitable gaming days in July. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and the community support that makes it possible.

What is Charitable Gaming and how does it work?

Charitable gaming in New Hampshire is a powerful tool for nonprofits. In 2024, charitable gaming generated more than $244 million statewide. Out of that total, about $39 million went directly to nonprofits, $35 million went to the state, and the rest supported gaming operators. Nearly 800 nonprofits took part in this program in 2024, making it one of the most significant sources of charitable funding in New Hampshire. These numbers come from reports by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and state publications, which are publicly available here.

By law, charities receive 35% of table-game revenue and 8.75% from horse racing machines. The state takes 10% and about 16.5%, respectively. These percentages are closely tracked and audited to ensure transparency. What this means in practice is that organizations like ours can invest in important programs that strengthen our communities.

What is the impact of Charitable Gaming?

Lilac Club Casino has already made a strong mark. At its first check presentation in April 2025, it awarded more than $116,000 to Rochester Main Street and the Rochester Rotary Club, after opening in March of this year. Our July proceeds of $47,372 will help fund new initiatives in our 2025-2030 strategic plan, ensuring our ongoing fundraising efforts can focus on supporting our existing programs and organization structure. For a reference of program cost, our Seacoast Harvest Local Food Guide costs roughly $32,000 to execute and our Winter Farmers’ Markets cost $42,000 per year. We are thrilled to add this additional opportunity to provide impact to our community with the charitable gaming funds!

For Seacoast Eat Local, this is more than just a financial boost. It’s a reminder of how community partnerships can turn entertainment into tangible outcomes. Food access programs, farmers’ markets, and education efforts all rely on sustainable funding. Charitable gaming is one way to meet that need.

A Model for Good

We hope this success helps shift how people think about gaming in New Hampshire. Too often it carries a negative reputation, but when run responsibly and fairly, the impact is undeniable. This model is supporting hundreds of nonprofits every year, from food security programs to housing and healthcare.

We thank Lilac Club Casino for stepping forward as a partner in this work. And we thank everyone in our community who makes these programs thrive. Together, we are showing that charitable gaming can be a real force for good.

At Seacoast Eat Local, we believe healthy, locally grown food should be within everyone’s reach. Sadly, that is far from the reality in America today. Food insecurity is rising faster than ever, and an estimated 2.4 million Americans are expected to lose food stamp benefits in the coming year. Even at our own farmers’ markets, staff have seen a noticeable drop in SNAP use this summer as many recipients report reduced monthly benefits. This decline has been accelerated by the end of COVID-era eligibility expansions and benefit adjustments.

We also believe farmers should be fairly supported for the essential work they do. Many of our vendors generously donate food through gleaning at our markets, but the current donation-based model cannot keep pace with the growing demand facing food pantries and community kitchens.

This is why we are excited to introduce Farm to Footprints, a new collaboration between Seacoast Eat Local and Footprints at Mainspring in Kittery, Maine. Footprints is an organization working to ensure that no member of our community struggles to feed themselves or their family. Our goal together is to get more fresh, locally grown produce into the hands of those who need it most while ensuring the farmers who grow it are paid and supported.

Here’s how it works: With the help of a generous donor, Seacoast Eat Local connects Footprints with farmers in our network who have produce available that might otherwise go unsold or go to waste. The Footprints team, led by Megan Shapiro Ross, purchases this produce directly from farmers at wholesale prices, picks it up, and brings it back to the pantry. From there, it is distributed to community members or incorporated into Footprints’ Community Suppers.

This program not only has a meaningful impact for footprints but also for the farmers involved. Josh Andrews of Roots in Reverie Farm shared:

“The Farm to Footprints program has had a profoundly positive impact on the farm and farmers at Roots in Reverie. We are proud to be supplying fresh produce to those who need it most in the Seacoast and are most grateful for the outlet and generosity of the Farm to Footprints program. 

With the help of the Footprints initiative, we have eliminated all waste from the farm. Each week, we provide produce to our CSA members, uphold our contract with Gather, service our restaurant and assisted living facility accounts, as well as attend two Seacoast Eat Local farmers’ markets in Dover and Exeter, and now, we provide the remaining bulk of the harvest to Footprints. No waste, just fresh produce going to good places…”

In just this past May & June, Footprints purchased nearly $5,000 worth of fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, and meat from seven Seacoast-area farms! Farm to Footprints is proof that when our community comes together, we can make locally grown food more accessible, support those most vulnerable to food insecurity, reduce waste, and keep our farms thriving.

If you are a farmer interested in participating in Farm to Footprints and selling your excess harvest, please email our Executive Director, Shawn at shawn@seacoasteatlocal.org.

If you would like to support this work, visit seacoasteatlocal.org/get-involved/ to learn more about how you can get involved with Seacoast Eat Local.

This past weekend, local food enthusiasts of all ages gathered at Fat Peach Farm (FPF) to learn about the unique challenges of growing tomatoes outdoors, in the soil. This workshop was part of our Harvesting Knowledge Series: a lineup of nine farm-based events designed to connect people to the heart of the local food system by highlighting the expertise and stories of our region’s farmers and food producers.

Our host, farmer and owner of FPF, Jennifer Wilhelm, led us on a tour of her impeccably maintained and beautifully designed farm, tucked into a few acres that were once just lawn and grass. We were all inspired by the creativity and care that Jennifer and her husband, Micum, have poured into cultivating such a whimsical and productive space. Throughout the tour our group wasn’t shy to ask questions and thankfully Jennifer generously shared her expertise every step of the way.

Among rows of vibrant cut flowers and squash, Jennifer introduced us to her no-till, Permanent Raised Bed (PRB) system. This approach to farming, part of a broader movement in regenerative agriculture, relies on maintaining designated, permanent growing spaces for crops year after year. By avoiding tilling, they minimize soil disturbance, reduce compaction, foster microbial life, and optimize soil structure. The result? Soil that retains moisture, air, and nutrients more effectively while effectively suppressing weeds. You can read more about Jennifer’s research on the topic here.

As with the rest of their crops, the tomatoes at FPF are grown using organic practices. Instead of synthetic pesticides or fungicides, the farm uses methods like crop rotation, spacing, and mulching to manage pests and disease pressure naturally.

For tomatoes grown in open fields, support is key. This year, Micum built a new trellising system using wooden posts and twine (shown in the photo below). Jennifer emphasized the importance of pruning tomato “suckers”, the new shoots that grow at the junction (axil) of a leaf and stem. Removing suckers when they’re still small encourages the plant to produce larger fruit, while leaving them on encourages more fruit overall. And remember: don’t leave those suckers on the ground as they can attract pests and disease!

We ended the workshop with a tomato tasting including beefsteaks, super sweets, Black Krim, and more. While Fat Peach Farm didn’t have enough ripe tomatoes for the whole group this time, we were grateful to Hollister Family Farm (Lee, NH) and Heron Pond Farm (South Hampton, NH) for generously providing their tomatoes for the tasting.

Want to learn more about organic tomato growing? Check out the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) article: 10 Things Every Beginning Gardener Should Know About Growing Tomatoes.

A huge thank-you to Jennifer for hosting and sharing her knowledge. One participant summed it up well: “Jenny was very knowledgeable, kind, and open to answering all of our questions. She has a beautiful farm… I left feeling very inspired.”

Are you a farmer or food producer interested in hosting a workshop with us?
We’d love to hear from you! Email Celeste at celeste@seacoasteatlocal.org to learn more.

Thank you to Service Credit Union for sponsoring our Harvesting Knowledge Series workshops.

Shoppers using SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) can currently double their purchasing power through a simple, dignified process. For example, when  someone spends $20 in SNAP benefits, they receive an additional $20 in Market Match dollars to purchase fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers. It’s a win-win: our neighbors facing food insecurity gain greater access to nutritious, local food, and small-scale producers grow their customer base and revenue. 

In the past few years between $65,000-$80,000 in SNAP and Market Match have been spent by low-income households at our farmers markets and partner farm stands each year. Hundreds of families gain access to nourishing food, while tens of thousands of dollars go directly to hard working local food producers each year. This is food access, community health, and local economy support rolled into one.

New Hampshire consistently ranks among the most expensive states in the country for food. According to Feeding America, more than 135,000 people in our state face food insecurity, including nearly one in eight children. For many households, cost is the biggest barrier to eating more fresh, healthy food. Programs like SNAP and Market Match help close that gap.

Our SNAP and Market Match program is part of Granite State Market Match (GSMM), a statewide initiative led by the New Hampshire Food Bank involving multiple partner organizations. Funding comes from a mix of federal, state, and private sources. Earlier this year, markets across New Hampshire were asked to re-evaluate their incentive programs following an unanticipated reduction in available funding, causing many to limit or pause market matches due to the uncertainty of what funding would be available moving forward.

Thanks to emergency support from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Seacoast Eat Local and other markets across the state were able to return to the standard one-to-one match at the end of this past winter season. That support likely helped carry the program into the summer, but it doesn’t guarantee stability for the full season ahead. Many of us expect available incentive funds to run out before the end of the summer market season.

This program has proven to be both powerful and necessary, yet it remains exposed to uncertainty. As local partners in this work, we do not control the broader systems that fund SNAP incentives. What we do see, every day, is how impactful these programs are for the people who rely on them. Families walk away with more food in their bags, and farmers walk away with more money in their pockets. These are the results that motivate us to keep showing up, even when the future feels uncertain.

When we talk about building a more resilient food system, we imagine a future where programs like Market Match aren’t necessary because everyone has access to local and nutritious food. But right now, that’s not the reality we live in. Community-based programs like Market Match help fill critical gaps as we work toward that vision.

Building resilience also means being honest about where we’re vulnerable. This moment has reminded us just how much our local efforts depend on broader systems, many of which fall outside our control. We work hard to keep our programs strong, sustainable, and rooted in community, but resilience requires stable public investment. That’s what makes it possible for these programs to create lasting change.

So what can you do?

Start by spreading the word. If you or someone you know uses SNAP, let them know our matching program is currently available and running strong. If you’re a regular market shopper, take a moment to thank a vendor who accepts SNAP. And if you’re someone who cares deeply about food access, know that your voice and your support help make the case for why programs like this are essential. To stay updated on legislation involving SNAP, follow the NH Food Access Coalition.

Food is a basic human need. The ability to access it shouldn’t be so fragile. If you believe in building a stronger, more equitable food system, please consider offering  a gift to Seacoast Eat Local. Every dollar donated strengthens our ability to offer the most impactful programs possible. Give today at seacoasteatlocal.org/donate. If you are interested in making a substantial gift through a donor-advised fund, please contact me at director@seacoasteatlocal.org.

Shawn Menard

Executive Director

Seacoast Eat Local