A Heartfelt Case for Eating Better in the Granite State

Farmers Markets: Where Health and Community Meet

Walk through any farmers market in New Hampshire—whether in Concord, Keene, or Littleton—and you’ll find more than just beautiful local produce. You’ll also find neighbors talking to neighbors, kids sampling fresh apples, and farmers proudly sharing their hand-picked tomatoes or homemade jams. And people walking their dogs. It’s a scene that feels healthy, vibrant, and deeply rooted in the values we hold dear here in the Granite State.

And in many ways, it’s the antidote to a public health crisis we don’t talk about enough. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in New Hampshire. Obesity, too, is on the rise, especially among children and families in rural parts of our state. At the center of these challenges is something deceptively simple: the food we eat.

The Health Impact of Processed vs. Local Foods

Too often, we’re surrounded by convenience. Ultra-processed foods—things like boxed meals, sugary snacks, soda, and fast food—are cheap, fast, and everywhere. They may fill us up quickly, but over time they chip away at our health, contributing to weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

But there is another way—and we see it every time we visit a local farmers market or buy from a roadside farm stand. Choosing locally made and organic, minimally processed foods is not only good for our bodies—it’s good for our communities. When we buy fresh eggs from a farm in Hopkinton, or pick up maple syrup and whole-grain bread from a market in Peterborough, we’re investing in our health and in our neighbors. We're getting more nutrients, fewer additives, and often more flavor.

We’re also taking control of something that feels increasingly out of reach in our fast-paced world: what goes into our bodies.

Small Changes, Big Results for Health and Community

The truth is, you don’t need to overhaul your diet overnight. Start by adding more local produce to your meals. Cook at home a little more. Try that handmade yogurt or cheese from the family farm up the road. Read ingredient labels. Watch for added salt and sugar. Every small choice makes a difference.

And in a state that prides itself on independence, self-reliance, and community strength, eating well shouldn’t feel like a luxury—it should feel like coming home.