FEBRUARY 2026

Handbook Highlight: Little Free Pantries

Unattended “mini pantries”, also called Blessing Boxes, are an increasingly common program in many areas. These are small, outdoor structures where community members can leave donations or select food for themselves. They are unsecured and unmonitored. This allows for anyone to access at any time.

Due to the storage and easy access of these pantries, food safety is a big concern. The food is at risk of temperature abuse, pests, exceeding expiration dates, improper packaging, chemical contamination, etc. Blessing Boxes are not approved by NH Food Bank for use by Partner Agencies and donations placed in the box by the general public, are not protected from the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. (Pg.29)

Additional Drops for Delivery Agencies

This past month we started our Agency Drops in Madison, Keene and Plainfield. We have one more on 2/25 in North Haverhill and then we'll be cycling through the locations again. The feedback received from these drops has been great and we look forward to continuing throughout the year to better serve our rural agencies that only receive one delivery a month.

Orders for the North Haverhill Drop need to be placed by 2/18.

Upcoming Drops:

2/25 - North Haverhill

3/18 - Madison

3/25 - Keene

Recalls

As part of NH Food Bank partner agency membership, all agencies are required to monitor and maintain awareness of active food recalls. The Agency Relations team is made aware of all FDA and USDA recalls and provides partner agencies with the information via email for all recalls affecting NH, New England or nationwide retail.

Partner agencies are required to notify their clients of all food recalls, post the recall for public viewing, and dispose of any affected foods that remain in their facility.

Often the question arises of how to maintain and organize these recall notices at your agency. While there is no official written rule, we consulted Feeding America on the best way to maintain the information. The best practice is that if you know for sure that the recalled item was in your building or had been recently distributed by you or local retail, keep that recall notice on file for 2 years, even if it is closed. For other nationwide and local recalls, it is best to keep the recall notice for 6-12 months, unless it is marked as closed on the USDA or FDA website. Overall, it is best to assess the risk as items can be donated by community neighbors or from a retailer at any time, even months later, and can pose a health concern even after the recall is closed.

Active recalls should be posted for clients to see, or listed by name with the information available to view by request. All recall notices can be kept on file digitally or printed and kept in a folder or binder. The status of recalls can be found on the FDA website and the USDA website. NH Food Bank can provide active recall notices to agencies upon request. All active recalls are available to view in the NH Food Bank warehouse to be referenced at any time.

Vivery

This month we will start updating our Food Map on our website to include more searchable information which will finally be able to include hours and days of operation, additional services and more!

If you haven't filled out the Agency Update form for your agency yet, those are due by 2/15.

Fill out the Agency Update here

Annual Handbook Signature

For 2026, we will be requiring all Partner Agencies to sign the 2026 Partner Agency Handbook. This will have some updated sections and some clarification on certain topics. We will not be requiring any other documents during this annual signature but we will be asking for some contact information and program information so we can make sure we're up to date.

Safety in the Warehouse

As part of our commitment to keeping everyone safe in our building, there will be some changes coming for our warehouse that will impact tour groups, staff and partner agencies.

As of January 2026, all agency shoppers inside the warehouse are required to wear reflective vests to utilize the shopping area. There will be vests available right inside the agency door and can be returned after shopping is complete.

Thank you for your cooperation in making sure that everyone stays safe!

Agency Relations Team!

Kristie Deneault

Agency Relations Manager

Hudson Wells

Fresh Rescue Coordinator

Stacey Garron

Agency Relations Coordinator

(Cheshire, Sullivan, Merrimack & lower Grafton County)

Jocelyn Cheney

Agency Relations Coordinator

(Belknap, Strafford & Rockingham County)

Marla Soucy

Agency Relations Coordinator

(Hillsborough County)

Christy Langlois

North Country Systems Manager

(Coos, Carroll & Upper Grafton County)

Helpful Links

Product Feedback Form

Partner Agency Handbook

Find Food Map

Agency Express

Meal Connect

Upcoming Classes

New Shopper Orientation

Tuesday, February 10th from 10:00am-12:00pm - Jocelyn

Wednesday, March 11th from 10:00am-12:00pm - Marla

Basic Food Safety Training

SAFE Food Handling For Food Pantries:

Monday, March 9th from 9:00am-11:30am

SAFE Food Handling For Soup Kitchens & Prepared Meals:

Monday, February 2nd from 2:30pm-4:30pm

Tuesday, March 3rd from 2:00pm-4:00pm

All sessions are 2-2.5 hrs. trainings via Zoom. Dates and times are subject to change based on the availability of UNH Cooperative staff.

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.

Food Manager Certificate Courses

Here are some course and test options for the Food Manager Certificate that meet the meal site requirement for any agency that produces meals.

~ Certificates are valid for 5 years ~

Learn2Serve NH Food Safety Manager:

https://www.360training.com/learn2serve/food-safety-manager/New-Hampshire

$121 Course & Exam

Always Food Safe Manager:

https://alwaysfoodsafe.com/en/food-protection-manager/new-hampshire

$126 Course & Exam

ServSafe Food Protection Manager:

https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Manager/Buy-Manager-Products

$179 Course & Exam