We're getting ready for one of our favorite times of the year -- NH Eats Local Month! In addition to calling out this statewide celebration of local food, we're sharing a piece from Walden Mutual Bank -- a new digital bank rooted in strengthening our local food ecosystem. We hope you'll connect with them (if you haven't already!)

As always, please reach out with your questions and feedback.

Walden Mutual Bank believes anyone can make positive, lasting changes in our local food ecosystem! We are a new digital bank, providing deposit accounts for all (individuals and businesses) while lending to local, sustainable food, farm, and community businesses across New England and New York. The mutual part of our name means we are cooperative, which means we are owned by our community of account holders (and allows us to build a bank for the next 100 years!)

We offer customizable loans across the entire value chain, which includes everything from production farms, distributors, processors, co-packers, and consumer trade brands, to even ag-adjacent businesses such as solar energy. Walden Mutual has supported the ownership transition of Monadnock Berries in Troy, NH, the purchasing of additional farmland for farms such as Dharma Lea in Cobleskill, NY, and Julie’s Happy Hens in Mont Vernon, NH, as well as strengthening the operations of brands such as 88 Acres, Homefree Treats, Mast Chocolates, and many more!

We lead with the fact that our loans are customizable, and we take a holistic approach to our underwriting process. We aim to meet our partner borrowers where they are and, thus, think creatively about each loan we offer. In addition to financing, we offer our wider network to our partner borrowers, whether that’s building out cold storage, getting into new distribution channels, or reaching new customers.

Something that distinguishes us from traditional agriculture lenders is the bridge between the individuals who have savings accounts with us and you – farm and food businesses. We are dedicated to sharing your stories with our ever-growing community of 1,000+ account holders who are often the neighbors of the businesses we serve.

We’d love to support farms and food businesses involved with Monadnock Food Co-op! Check us out at waldenmutual.com or reach out to us at lending@waldenmutual.com. We’d love to hear from you!

To operate at scale, veggie farms often require coolers to keep produce fresh during the warm summer months. Hear from the folks at Green Wagon Farm about what they’re doing to reduce energy needs and provide fresh food to Cheshire County residents.

Join NOFA-NH at Callie's Creamery, a certified organic micro-dairy in Peterborough, to discuss intensive rotational grazing and grassland management. They manage 30 acres of pasture and hay land. They will discuss rotational grazing basics (fencing, water, movement, mowing) and how to customize rotational grazing for your field and animals. Soil fertility, organic amendments, and biodynamic preparations to support healthy soil will also be covered. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant program. To remain competitive, Northeast dairy businesses need access to product packaging solutions that meet sustainability and marketability demands. This program will provide grants to support modernized packaging initiatives that prioritize sustainability, scalability, and marketability. The NE-DBIC seeks industry players actively engaged in innovation through their business and organization to develop projects that support modernized, climate-forward dairy packaging initiatives that address the entire packaging life cycle from production to disposal or reuse. Projects should increase collaboration across the dairy sector to ensure the most significant number of businesses benefit.

The Walpole Library is hosting Climate Farmer Stories. This new multimedia exhibit shares the stories and portraits of 13 Upper Valley farmers (including Walpole Valley Farms) using agricultural methods that mitigate and adapt to climate change and help build a food supply that can withstand the impact of climate disruption. View the exhibit during the month of August.

Independents Month reminds us to recognize our locally owned and independent businesses for the community values they embody and their spirit of entrepreneurship. Also, let's acknowledge all the ways independents give back to our community with their time, talents, goods, and services, making us healthier and wealthier. Thank an independent business owner and their staff today!

Join in for 31 days of rallying around the bounty of New Hampshire and thank our hard-working farmers, fishers, and food businesses. Over 100 partners throughout the state join together to celebrate the power of local food. NH Eats Local Month also coincides with the national Eat Indie Local campaign -- celebrating the movement from coast to coast!

Monadnock farms are opening their barns, pastures, hoop houses, kitchens, and pudding plant (!) for the community to experience their day-to-day lives working to bring food to our tables. The Monadnock Farm Tour is one way we can celebrate the impact of farming operations on our local economy, their role in preserving open space, and how they contribute to our quality of life.

AFTER PARTY! at The Outlaw Brewing Company, Winchester, NH

Continue the celebration of our local farms, and join us at Outlaw Brewing! Live music, special Monadnock Farm Tour “Spirit,” locally-sourced menu items, 50/50 raffle benefiting MFCC, & more! CHILD FRIENDLY.

Monadnock Farm Tour: $10 per car gets you into all farms. AFTER PARTY! at Outlaw Brewing: FREE, child friendly.

Ready to begin selling (or selling more) to Monadnock Food Co-op? Please reach out directly to Store Manager Stephanie Wright at 603-355-8008 or storemanager@monadnockfood.coop to set up a time to meet with her and any relevant department buyers or share feedback.