“When it comes to strengthening our local food system, we should be considering short- and long-term solutions simultaneously,” said Marty Castriotta, co-founder of Village Roots Permaculture in Alstead. “Planting our own gardens, raising some laying hens, and supporting neighborhood farms are important starting points, but this is also the perfect opportunity to dramatically rethink regional food ecosystems for the long haul.”  

Rethinking our food system for the long haul. Hear, hear! 

For the fourteenth year, let’s shine a light on local food, farms, and our entire Monadnock Region food system during Eat Indie Local Month, a month-long nationwide celebration in August. Also, following Marty’s call, let’s pause to rethink our future—how we’re working regionally and locally to ensure our food system is as robust, regenerative, and fair as possible.

What Do We Mean by a Food System? 

Our food system is a complex network of people, resources, and processes that grow and deliver food from the farm to your plate. It includes soil health, the hard work of farm workers, transportation networks, bustling markets, and much more.  

As many people work tirelessly to support our food system, what vision inspires us to make good choices today to positively impact our future? Can you see what success would look like? Can you taste that vision?

Here’s a vision of 2050 from our friends at the National Western Center in Denver, CO: “Rural farmers and ranchers are hailed as heroes for battling climate change by sequestering carbon in soil… Food is richer, tastier, and more nutrient-dense. As a result of more efficient and equitable distribution, food waste is eliminated, healthful and local food is more accessible, and farmer prosperity is at an all-time high. Food security is assured for all Colorado families.” Read on! 

Marty also shared his vision, “I imagine lamb, beef, and poultry raised under the shade of nut trees, chestnut mills providing flour to local bakeries, hickory nuts pressed into oil, pigs raised on acorns, and hedgerows lined with high-nutrient berries like aronia, currants, and bush cherries. When we gaze upon the landscape, the transition between farm and forest and yard and garden [is] seamless, with highly productive natives or (ecological proxies) defining the backbone of a regionally appropriate diet, offering both a degree of food sovereignty and cultural pride.”

What’s your vision of our food system in 2050? Share it with us at jenrisley@amiba.net.

Why Envision a Strong Local Food System?

A strong local food system keeps our communities vibrant, our economy growing, and our landscapes healthy. When we purchase local food, our dollars ripple throughout the community, helping local farms and other small businesses thrive.

Building a Stronger Local Food System in Practice

Purchasing local food goes beyond what’s on your family’s dinner plate to include what’s on your children’s school lunch tray. New Hampshire’s Local Food for Local Schools Purchasing Incentive Pilot Program reimburses participating schools $1 for every $3 dollars spent on New Hampshire-grown, caught, and produced foods. The first cohort of participating schools includes SAU 47, Jaffrey-Rindge, and runs for 2 years. Learn more! 

“The NH Farm to School Network estimates the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program will annually inject $420,000 federal and state funds directly into New Hampshire’s farm and food economy,” said Laura Alimayu, NH Farm to School Program Coordinator. “Additionally, through the reimbursement pilot program, farm to school advocates, parents, teachers, farmers, and community members believe it will foster school-farmer relationships, lessening supply chain disruptions, and increasing food security, educate students, teachers, and school staff about local foods and the importance of supporting local agriculture, and increase profitability for New Hampshire and New England farmers, fishermen, and food producers”

Why Envision a Regenerative Food System?

Permaculture calls for building regenerative systems that work with nature to create healthy, productive landscapes and communities.

“In the face of increasing economic and environmental uncertainty, it's more important than ever to consider what land use patterns and perennial systems are most productive, not just in terms of food production, but in terms of ecological services and other outputs (such as fuel and building materials),” shared Marty. “I'd love to see more intersection and collaboration between conservation efforts, agroforestry (forest-based food production), and regional processing of forest-based foods. Our work at Earthcraft Design is to place these types of patterns in publicly accessible spaces.”

Building a More Regenerative Local Food System in Practice

You may have noticed the work Marty mentioned above happening next to Monadnock Food Co-op’s parking lot in Keene. Earthcraft Design LLC, the design and installation arm of Village Roots Permaculture, specializes in edible landscapes, ecological restoration, agroforestry services, water solutions, and farm infrastructure. They cultivate food security in our region by increasing the production of perennial crops, regional food aggregation, and processing.  

Earthcraft Design LLC in Alstead is creating a more local and regenerative food system in our region through projects like the outdoor edible cafe at Brewbakers in Keene. The cafe features gardens, water-catchment features, benches, planters, and an arbor made from local hemlock and white cedar. (Brewbakers’ kitchen regularly uses the fresh herbs and vegetables from their outdoor cafe.) Photo Credit: Marty Castriotta, from Earthcraft Design LLC, the design and installation arm of Village Roots Permaculture.

The project at the Co-op joins others, such as the outdoor edible cafe at Brewbakers and the growing forest garden at the Hundred Nights Shelter, along with future projects.

Gemmo Forest in Keene also practices permaculture on 12.5 acres, “growing plants, trees, and shrubs for not only their medicinal benefits but also for the vitality and well-being of all who interact with it.” Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH invites farmers and growers to its Field Day at Gemmo Forest on August 18, from 4 – 6 pm.  Learn more and register at nofanh.org/events/gemmo-forest.  Also, get inspired by Gemmo Forest’s More Food, Less Lawn initiative.

“We are on a mission to shift the American dream from manicured, resource-intensive lawns to thriving, food-producing gardens,” states Gemmo Forest’s website. “By repurposing even a small portion of our lawns, we can create sustainable urban ecosystems that support both people and pollinators.”

Stay tuned for part two of our Rethinking Our Food System article in late August, where we’ll share more about envisioning a fair and regional food system, along with food system updates from Cheshire County Conservation District, Monadnock Food Co-op, and more.

Now, get out there and enjoy our local food and farms! Monadnock Farm and Community Coalition (now called The Monadnock Grown Coalition_ invites you to their 2026 Monadnock Grown Farm Tour, celebrating local food and farms on Saturday, August 15, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Visit working farms, meet the people behind your food, and learn about the essential role agriculture plays in our local economy, environment, and quality of life. Tickets are $10 per vehicle. Learn more!

Discover more local food and farming events

Thank you to all the individuals, programs, policies, and initiatives that continue to develop a stronger local and regional food system in our part of the state and throughout New England. Together, we’re cultivating healthier citizens, communities, and economies.