A Crisis of Food Affordability
FEED Kearsarge is a local coalition working to solve this problem together—and you can help.
This is the second Letter to the Community of many designed to help more people understand the problem of food insecurity in the Kearsarge Region, and discover solutions to end hunger and build a more food secure future for all. Please feel free to distribute widely. Read the first letter here.
Last fall we faced temporary lapse in SNAP benefits from the government shutdown, affecting 76,000 residents in New Hampshire. Although SNAP has been reinstated, cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill are compromising food assistance for many Granite Staters. Yet, for all food buyers there is a larger, ongoing issue: a crisis of food affordability. This crisis is leading to widespread food insecurity and economic anxiety for many people.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices have increased by 30% in the last five years. A typical shopping basket of staple items like beef, eggs, and milk costs $20 more than it did in 2019. As grocery bills rise, many people are forced to buy cheaper, unhealthy processed foods, or people skip meals altogether and face hunger.
Beyond food prices, neighbors face rising costs across the board while income rates just aren’t keeping pace. According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, mortgage costs have doubled since 2015 for a median-priced single family home, while health care deductibles have increased 323% since 2005. In recent years, a family of four in New Hampshire is falling short of basic expenses by nearly $2,000 annually.
All of this information shows that food insecurity - and role of food affordability in hindering food access - is not an individual failing. It is a product of food policy, access, and the complex equation of affordability.
If you want to dig deeper into the numbers and stories of how food insecurity impacts thousands of neighbors right here in the Kearsarge Region, meet others working to solve this issue from various perspectives, and generate hopeful action, register today for FEED Kearsarge’s Food Security Summit!On Saturday, April 18th from 9am to 3pm we will gather at the Kearsarge Regional High School for a dynamic day of learning, connection, and collaboration. The presence of every Kearsarge area neighbor is welcome at this summit to help shape the future of our collective food security, together. Registration is by donation thanks to our generous sponsors - with refreshments and lunch provided!
Sign up today and spread the word: www.bit.ly/FoodSecuritySummit2026
Signed,
Alprilla Farm
Counseling Associates
First Baptist Church
First Congregational Church of Wilmot, UCC
Food for Thought NH Inc.
Hudkins Law
Kawasiwajo Community Land Trust (KCLT)
Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church (KCPC)
Kearsarge Food Hub (KFH)
Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners (KNP)
KLS Food Pantry
Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice
Main Street Warner
New London Hospital
NH Abenaki Helping Abenaki
NH Hunger Solutions
NOFA-NH
Our Lady of Fatima Immaculate Conception
Randy Fleury’s Honey
Singing Pond Farm
Springledge Farm
St. Andrews Church
The Andover Community Hub
Twin Rivers Food Pantry
United Church of Warner
Warner Connects
Warner Food Pantry