Where to go if you are in need of food in the Monadnock Region

A donation box of food is shown

At this very moment, many are going hungry or not getting the food they need. One in six people in the United States now rely on food assistance1 and people are facing hunger or food insecurity in every county and district in both New Hampshire and Vermont.

Recent data shows:

  • 2 in 5 people are experiencing hunger in Vermont.2
  • More than 4 in 10 adults and over half of New Hampshire children are in households with not enough food.3

An unexpected financial hardship can set into motion a cascade of coping mechanisms, and often, the food budget is the first to get cut. It can start with food anxiety, wondering if there will be enough food for the week or month. If the financial hardship continues, that can lead to adult food intake decreasing and then children’s food intake decreasing.

Food insecurity creates decreased cognitive bandwidth and toxic stress. It leads to a decrease in nutritional quality, and at times, calories increase through less healthy foods. Food access is a priority focus area for the Healthy Monadnock Alliance, our regional public health network, which is principally supported by Cheshire Medical Center.

In the Monadnock Region, we partner with multiple community organizations, many listed below, that work to improve both food and nutrition security. We provide support to increase locations where community members can use EBT/SNAP to purchase local healthy food from local producers. We partner on seed and tool libraries to remove barriers for those who are interested in starting their own gardens. And we support community-led improvement ideas by hosting listening sessions for those experiencing food insecurity to inform our next steps in population health to improve access to local healthy food.

To find a pantry near you not featured below, enter your zip code into this national Food Finder Map. If you are based in New Hampshire, you also can go to this New Hampshire Foodbank Map. To find resources in Vermont, go to the Vermont Foodbank Locator. Please note that hours, days, and services vary according to organization. Be sure to call or visit the website for details.

Knowing that food is medicine, Dartmouth Health also provides services to patients in need, together with our community partners.

Resources in the Monadnock Region

Cheshire Medical Center

  • Dartmouth Cancer Center Keene: Supports patients who are undergoing cancer treatment with grocery cards. If interested, speak with your oncology social worker.
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic: Provides grocery bags to Cheshire patients. Speak to your provider if you're interested in going through the screening process to determine if you qualify.

Additional New Hampshire food resources

Additional Vermont food resources

Additional State and National resources

Citations

  1. Feeding America
  2. Hunger Free Vermont
  3. NH Hunger Solutions