Neighbors find no-barrier food access at the Community FREEdge—and you can help.
Results from a recent survey lend insights into how the FREEdge is supporting our community.
Food insecurity is on the rise here in New Hampshire. Previous data showed 1 in 7 kids going without sufficient food; now that number is more like 1 in 6 according to the latest Feeding America Map the Meal Gap report. As families go back to school and the cold months approach, offering support to help families put food on the table is vital.
To address this reality, this Hunger Action Month we’re asking you to donate items purchased at Sweet Beet Market or online to stock the Community FREEdge in the coming months. Here’s why that really matters.
The Communtiy FREEDge
The Community FREEdge full of fresh produce from local farms, including our own educational gardens at the Kearsarge Food Hub.
The Community FREEdge is one of our most powerful tools for meeting the needs of neighbors with a 24/7, no questions asked resource, catching people who fall through the cracks of other food assistance programs with dignified, anonymous food access. It’s stocked multiple times per week with fresh produce, prepared meals, and grocery items.
Unique to our food donations program here at the Kearsarge Food Hub is the emphasis on purchasing from our hyper-local farmers to donate fresh produce, keeping dollars in our local economy while providing healthy options. This matters for two reasons: 1) fresh produce is in high demand at food access sites and 2) farm security is food security for all of us and investing in these farms is key to our local resilience.
However, we can’t just provide fresh fruits and vegetables. Every household also needs reliable access to proteins and pantry staples to make a balanced meal.
While the FREEdge is anonymous and we don’t know exactly how many neighbors use it, we do know that a lot of food makes its way into local homes through this resource. In 2025, we sent nearly $70,000 worth of food through the FREEdge; that’s a 22% increase from 2024 and half the value of total food donations here at the Hub. This program is made possible thanks to support from community members like you.
Survey Results
Last winter, with the help of Dartmouth Health’s Center For Advancing Rural Health Equity (CARHE), we conducted an anonymous survey to see how this resource is or is not meeting the needs of our neighbors. This survey of 19 frequent visitors offers a snapshot of who relies on the service, what they need most, and why a judgment-free model is vital for rural community health.
Key Takeaways & Survey Insights:
High demand for fruits and veggies: Fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and protein top the list of community needs, yet remain the hardest to consistently stock.
Mutual aid: More than a quarter of users pick up food for neighbors, elderly friends, or family members.
Judgment-Free: Zero-barrier access, available 24/7 with no intake forms, allows community members to use the FREEdge without facing the stigma of more traditional food assistance programs
Two kinds of support: The FREEdge serves both immediate emergency relief and long-term budget stabilization for fixed-income households.
By the numbers:
The Community FREEdge is housed in the Food Shed where pantry items and other goods are offered in addition to what’s in the fridge and freezer.
Quotes from FREEdge clients:
"There's always something in the Freedge that helps me stretch my already thin budget. I'm 70 years old and on a small pension and social security... The items provide healthy meals (and tasty, too!)."
"I love the fact that there is no judgment at any time. I do contribute from time to time when I am able to, as I like to pay it forward."
"Prepared meals are very helpful for my 92-year-old friend who I pick up for."
“It gives a warm feeling knowing that Sweet Beet cares about its neighbors and the community.”
"My husband is going through chemo for stage 4 cancer.”
“Being self-employed, things are not always guaranteed. There have been a few occasions where the FREEdge was very helpful."
The FREEdge survey reminds us that we can all fall on hard times, and so often we have no idea what other people are going through and why they might need support putting food on the table.
While the FREEdge succeeds in offering dignified access, supply gaps still persist. High-demand items like fresh meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, and pantry itemds remain difficult to keep stocked. Community members also expressed a need for predictable restock schedules and high-protein options to support vulnerable neighbors, including seniors, kids, and families managing unexpected life crises.
This is where you come in.
Back to School Food Drive
This Hunger Action Month, we’re taking action with our annual Back to School Food Drive. Help us collect 1,000 food drive items by September 30th for the FREEdge so we can ensure it is stocked when people need it most.
There are two ways to give:
Buy food drive items in Sweet Beet Market. The items we are requesting include cans of beans, pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, oats and flour, and other staples. Look for the helping hands signs in the market, buy 3 food drive items, and get 10% off your entire purchase. You can do this as many times as you’d like all month long.
Buy food drive items online. By using our online store, you can purchase a greater variety of items like eggs, yogurt, apples, carrots and more to stock the FREEdge.
The Back to School Food Drive reminds us that small acts of kindness add up in our community to make a big difference. By being a part of this effort, you're saying no to hunger in the Kearsarge Region and offering a helping hand to your neighbor. After all, we all need a little help sometimes, and that’s what community is all about.
Notes of gratitude from the FREEdge.
Notes of gratitude from the FREEdge.
Notes of gratitude from the FREEdge.