August is NH Eats Local Month, a statewide celebration of the farms, restaurants, markets, and food producers that make New Hampshire a delicious place to live. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy fresh, seasonal meals while supporting the people and businesses that keep our communities thriving. 

Throughout the month, organizations across the state host events and encourage residents to discover the benefits of eating local, from stronger local economies to healthier communities and more sustainable food systems.

Here are five easy ways to savor the season while making a positive impact.

1. Visit Your Local Farmers Market

There’s nothing quite like shopping at a farmers market. From vine-ripened tomatoes and sweet corn to homemade jams and artisan breads, you’ll find fresh flavors while getting to know the people who grow your food. Every purchase helps support local farms and keeps more dollars circulating within local communities. 

Plus, it’s fun! One of our favorite family summer traditions is to walk to our town’s Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, get a loaf of fresh baked bread (current favorite flavor: olive and rosemary) and a block of locally made goats cheese, along with a few tasty looking veggies for fresh eating. We take it all home and make a delicious charcuterie board for lunch.

2. Dine at Independent Restaurants

Whether you’re craving comfort food, farm-to-table cuisine, or a cozy café breakfast, choose a locally owned restaurant this month. Many restaurants proudly feature ingredients sourced from nearby farms, giving you the freshest possible meal while supporting multiple local businesses at once. 

If you’re not sure how to find a local restaurant that features locally grown food, a quick search for “farm to table restaurant near me” can give you a few ideas. Some of our favorites near us include:

• Pickity Place in Mason
• The Hungry Diner in Walpole
• Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene

3. Try Something New

NH Eats Local Month is the perfect excuse to branch out. Pick up a new-to-you vegetable, sample local cheeses, visit an orchard, or explore a food festival in your area. You may discover a new favorite dish while connecting with the incredible variety of foods produced right here in New Hampshire. 

Why not spend a few minutes right now finding an interesting sounding food event nearby, and marking your calendar? You can get started with the Winchester Pickle Festival, happening Sept 26th, 2026. Most unique food we’ve encountered there? Dill pickle cotton candy!!

4. Stock Your Kitchen with Local Products

Eating local doesn’t have to end after one meal. Look for New Hampshire-made products like maple syrup, honey, dairy, meats, baked goods, and pantry staples when you shop. Even small purchasing decisions add up and help strengthen the state’s local food system year-round. 

A great place to start finding these is at co-op grocery stores, local gift shops/artisan markets, and farm stands. If you want to make it even easier for yourself, think about signing up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable box for next year. This program is offered by many local farms, and means you pay for a summers’ worth of fresh grown produce before the season starts, then get a weekly box of goodies all summer long. 

It’s good for the farmers, because they get an influx of cash to pay for all their growing costs in the spring, when they need it most. It’s good for you because you get the very best and freshest produce guaranteed, grown by people in your community that you directly support. But they often sell out fast, many before March, so start looking and secure your spot now!

5. Support the Local Businesses Behind the Scenes

A thriving food community depends on more than farms and restaurants. It also relies on the people who keep businesses running every day, from customer service representatives and office professionals to warehouse associates and manufacturing teams.

At Masiello Employment Services, we’re proud to support local employers by connecting them with talented people who help New Hampshire businesses succeed. We’re passionate about helping the companies that make our communities stronger grow with the right employees. When local businesses have the staffing they need, they can continue providing the products, services, and experiences that make New Hampshire such a great place to live and work.

Celebrate Local All Month Long

This August, challenge yourself to make local choices whenever you can. Visit a farmers market, enjoy dinner at an independent restaurant, or fill your pantry with New Hampshire-made products. Every meal is an opportunity to support hardworking farmers, small business owners, and your local economy. If you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate, check out this blog from a few years ago, full of other great suggestions!

From all of us at Masiello, happy NH Eats Local Month! We hope you’ll join the celebration by enjoying great food, supporting local businesses, and making a difference…one delicious bite at a time.