Hassan Helps Launch NH Food Bank’s New Production Facility

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities NH, and Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, formally opened the first phase of the NH Food Bank’s new production facility today at the NH Food Bank in Manchester, according to a press statement. The first phase of the facility, a 2,500-square-foot USDA “Clean Room,” will allow the NH Food Bank to produce meals in a controlled manufacturing environment.

The NH Food Bank hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony as part of Hunger Action Month, a national awareness campaign urging New Hampshire residents and businesses to take action to help the 139,730 New Hampshire residents—including 41,350 children—who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

“Today marks a big day for the New Hampshire Food Bank as we formally open the first phase of our new production facility,” said Robert Gossett, interim director of the NH Food Bank. “When complete, this facility will have a major impact on our statewide efforts to eliminate hunger. We greatly appreciate the generous support we have received from our dedicated donors to make this facility a reality. As we officially kick off Hunger Action Month in New Hampshire, we would urge the businesses and people of New Hampshire to take action to make lasting change in the fight against hunger.”

When complete, the production facility will allow the NH Food Bank to begin its own food manufacturing business to support its network of more than 400 partner agencies across the state.

“Too often, individuals and families in New Hampshire go to sleep hungry or are forced to make an impossible choice between medical care, paying rent, heating homes or buying food,” said Hassan. “No one should have to make that choice, and the new USDA Clean Room is an important step forward in our efforts to ensure that no Granite Stater goes hungry. I commend the New Hampshire Food Bank for its innovative approach to combat hunger in New Hampshire and for its tireless efforts to strengthen our communities and our state. This Hunger Action Month, I encourage all Granite Staters to join in the fight against hunger to help support food insecure Granite Staters throughout the year.”

Hunger Action Month features a series of events, initiatives and competitions designed to raise awareness and funding for those most in need. To launch its Hunger Action Month campaign, the NH Food Bank partnered with Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks that coordinates the national Hunger Action Month every September.

Along with Canstruction and Mac-Off competitions, Hunger Action Month features a number of events, opportunities and initiatives, including:

• The Seventh Annual WBS Harvest Golf Classic, which will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, is an annual golf tournament benefiting the NH Food Bank. The tournament will be held at the Manchester Country Club with an 11 AM shotgun scramble format.
• Southern New Hampshire University will host the “Give a Little, Feed a Lot Food Drive” in Manchester’s North End on Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 9:30 AM.
• The Concord Police Department and the NH Food Bank are partnering for a “Stuffing A Cruiser” food drive in Concord to benefit Friends of Forgotten Children, The Friendly Kitchen and the Salvation Army. Help the Food Bank and police stuff a cruiser full of non-perishable, non-glass food donations on Sunday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Market Basket, Fort Eddy Plaza; Friday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Shaw’s Supermarket, Fort Eddy Plaza; and Sunday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hannaford Supermarket, Fort Eddy Plaza.
• Taste of the Nation, a premier culinary event featuring cuisine from New Hampshire’s top chefs, will take place at LaBelle Winery in Amherst from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22. The event also features guest mixologists, beer, specialty cocktails, great entertainment, and an extensive silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the NH Food Bank.
• The NH Tackles Hunger Food Drive, which is a partnership between the NH Food Bank, WMUR and the NH Interscholastic Athletic Association, will take place on Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, during which food drives will be hosted at high school football games in communities across New Hampshire. All food donated will go to local food pantries.
• Nashua Telegraph Fall Food & Wine Festival will take place at LaBelle Winery on Sunday, September 25, with two sessions: noon to 2 PM and 3 to 5 PM. This is a unique wine tasting featuring New England wineries, food, artisans and vendors. Proceeds will benefit the NH Food Bank.
• Lunch Challenge: How many meals could your lunch turn into? $1 = 2 meals. The NH Food Bank is looking for companies to join the Hunger Action Month lunch challenge. If you are interested in signing up, please email Lisa Smith Dean at lsdean@nhfoodbank.org or call 603.669.9725 ext. 121.

For more information on Hunger Action Month, please visit: nhfoodbank.org/ham2016.aspx.

Captions: From left to right, Thomas Blonski, CEO and president of Catholic Charities NH, Gov. Maggie Hassan, and Robert Gossett, interim director of the NH Food Bank. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony and as part of Hunger Action Month, volunteers from Bank of America, Fidelity Investments, CGI Benefits Group and Freudenberg utilized the new clean room for a “Mac-Off” competition in which teams competed to pack as much mac-and-cheese as possible.

Submitted by Jeff Mucciarone.