Though 24% of landfill waste in New Hampshire is comprised of food waste, and a growing number of New Hampshire residents find themselves food insecure, there are still huge challenges to be overcome in the process of diverting reusable food waste to those in need. The costs of shipping discarded food to community pantries and food banks, as well as the difficulty of getting food into the hands of the hungry while it is still fresh, mean that those working on the issue of food insecurity in the Granite State face a host of complex challenges. Though farmers in New Hampshire have traditionally given generously to food banks, grocery stores have significantly reduced their contributions since the pandemic, and food banks are feeling the squeeze. This issue remains an important one for those concerned not just about the health of New Hampshire residents, but about the pressure that food waste puts on landfills. Learn more about the complex and intersecting challenges to this process here.

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