December 2024

December 2024 Calendar

Agency Wishlist Update

'Tis the season of giving! That's why we're asking for all agencies to once again update their wishlists! Please click the link below to fill out the form for your agency.

NHFB Partner Agency Wishlist

Agency Spotlight!

Pictured Above: Twin Rivers Food Pantry Executive Director Alison Jones (right) and volunteer Brad Parker with some of the hygiene products available to clients.

Recently we learned that Twin Rivers Food Pantry was highlighted in the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation 2023 Annual Report! Congratulations, Twin Rivers!

Recognizing the high cost of hygiene products and its impact on those they serve, Twin Rivers has created a hygiene product program. Thank you for bringing attention to the high cost of these products and highlighting that they are a basic need!

In the article they share an impactful story of the reality many of our Agency's families face.

To read the full article click the button below

Read Full Article Here

Donor Spotlight!

Service Credit Union stopped by the New Hampshire Food Bank's Manchester warehouse in November to distribute their Stay Warm bags to some of our partner agencies!

We’re grateful to be among the many organizations who have teamed up with Service Credit Union to distribute these bags, which each include cold-weather essentials to help provide a little extra warmth to those in need this holiday season.

A Message from your Agency Relations Team

Agency Monitoring Visits:

Two of the most important questions you are asked at your monitoring visit are:

How many unique households do you serve?
How many unique individuals do you serve?

These questions can sometimes catch people off guard. Maybe the term "unique" makes you unsure of the answer or maybe it's because you don't always count. However, these answers are important! Below is an example of the numbers you need to provide and the very important reason why!

Example of Unique Households:

20 people came to your agency in the month of November

20 is the number of unique households you served in November

Example of unique Individuals:

10 households have 5 people in them (including the person you are serving)

10 are single

60 is the number of unique individuals you served in November

Why this Matters?

These numbers are important for the NHFB for a few reasons including funding and tiering. Having these numbers ready for your coordinator at your visit ensures your Agency is receiving the proper support from the NHFB. Please be prepared when your visit is scheduled!

Agency Bulk Meals: New Menu Item Available

It's soup season!

The NH Food Bank’s bulk meal offerings are expanding to include soup, in addition to the standard menu of items – all prepared by the NH Food Bank’s Culinary Job Training Kitchen.

The soup will be packaged in foil pans like all of the other entrees & sides, each pan containing 2 individual, boil-in-bag soups. These bags are meant to be dropped in boiling water to reheat or opened & poured in a pot to reheat. THESE BAGS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR THE OVEN!

We hope you enjoy this new menu addition! If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your Agency Relations Coordinator.

Indoor Shopping Training Video

Indoor shopping is accessible to agencies after completing the required training video. After completion you must fill out and sign the NHFB Indoor Shopping Agreement. Once that is returned to your Agency Relations Coordinator you will have access to the shopping floor. Below you will find the required video and Indoor Shopping Agreement. If you have any questions please contact your Agency Relations Coordinator.

Click For Indoor Shopping Agreement

Upcoming Classes

New Shopper Orientation

Please contact your NHFB Coordinator directly for options.

Food Safety Training

SAFE Food Handling For Food Pantries:

Monday, December 9th @1:00pm

Wednesday, February 12 from 10 – noon

SAFE Food Handling For Soup Kitchens & Prepared Meals:

Tuesday, January 7 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

All sessions are 2 hr. trainings via Zoom.

If you need to acquire food safety training (non-meal sites) but are unable to attend a live zoom session, a similar training can be done online at workhub.com/features/training/food-safety or Alison.com/course/food-safety-and-hygiene. Both courses are free. Alison.com charges to print a certificate, to avoid this cost send your Agency Coordinator a screenshot of the certificate or a screenshot of your “Learner Record” with the date of completion found in your Account Settings.

All agencies are required to have at least one person at their facility that holds a Food Safety certificate at all times. Agencies that serve meals are required to have at least one person that has SERV Safe Food Handlers certification.

As of June 1st 2025, this requirement changes to a SERV Safe Manager Certificate.

All certifications are good for 3-5 years depending on the exam.