Kearsarge Food Hub

What Kearsarge Food Hub does

Kearsarge Food Hub is a Bradford, New Hampshire-based nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that operates an integrated local food system combining a working organic farm (Sweet Beet Farm), a year-round retail market and weekend café (Sweet Beet Market + Café) sourcing from more than 150 regional farms, fisheries, and food makers, and a portfolio of community programs including a 24/7 Community FREEdge (no-questions-asked free fridge), weekly produce donations to 7+ local food pantries, SNAP/EBT acceptance with a 50% produce match, and a farmer apprenticeship program. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Rob McGregor (hired October 2025), with co-founder Hanna Flanders serving as Director of Community Engagement.

Its business model blends three revenue streams: (1) commercial retail and café sales at the Bradford storefront, (2) a distributed fundraising apparatus including a five-tier monthly giving program (Grow With Us, $10–$100/month, 151 donors contributing ~$46K/year as of May 2025), an annual Season of Gratitude & Giving campaign ($102,284 raised in 2025), and corporate sponsorships (Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, Spring Ledge Farm, Artisans of New London, Second Wind), and (3) grant and donation-funded food security programming. Distribution is multi-channel: direct retail at the Bradford market, wholesale to Concord Food Co-op and Harvester Market, the Concord Farmers Market, Local Harvest CSA, and a donation pipeline into the regional food pantry network.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, centered on three segmented email newsletters (Hub Happenings, Sweet Beet News, Gardening Newsletter), Instagram and Facebook organic social, an active blog and video resource library, and a recurring annual events calendar (Summer Benefit Gala, Community Fair, Food Security Summit, vendor tastings, Farm Bill advocacy events). The organization anchors the FEED Kearsarge coalition alongside Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners and maintains strategic partnerships with the Abenaki Trails Project, Abenaki Helping Abenaki Food Pantry, Hopkinton Historical Society, and Sunset Hill Education Institute to extend its food sovereignty, education, and community-building mission across the greater Kearsarge region of central New Hampshire.

Name

Kearsarge Food Hub

Legal name

Kearsarge Food Hub

Website

https://kearsargefoodhub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kearsarge Food Hub is a Bradford, New Hampshire nonprofit (founded 2015) operating an integrated local food system that combines an organic farm, a year-round retail market and weekend café sourcing from 150+ regional vendors, food security programs (24/7 Community FREEdge, weekly pantry donations), and farm-based education serving the greater Kearsarge region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Food Hub and Community Food Systems

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Special Food Services (7223)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Freshly Made Grab-and-Go (Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads) (CRAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Local food retail
• Community food hub
• Organic farm operations
• Food security programs
• Farm-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Sweet Beet Market & Café Retail Sales: The organization operates a year-round retail market and café at 11 West Main Street, Bradford, NH, offering seasonal produce, fresh and frozen meat and seafood, dairy, eggs, baked goods, grocery items, frozen and to-go meals, and craft beverages from 150+ local and regional vendors. Café service is available on weekends. This is the primary commercial revenue stream.
2. Donations and Fundraising: The nonprofit raises funds through annual fundraising campaigns (Season of Gratitude & Giving), monthly giving program (Grow With Us), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. The 2025 Season of Gratitude & Giving campaign raised $102,284 from 150+ donors.
3. Community FREEdge and Food Security Programs: Food access programs supported through donations and grants, including a 24/7 Community FREEdge, food donations to 7+ pantries, SNAP/EBT acceptance with 50% off fresh produce, discount days, and customer loyalty rewards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kearsarge Food Hub operates a year-round retail market and weekend café (Sweet Beet Market + Café) that aggregates seasonal produce, meat, seafood, dairy, baked goods, and prepared foods from over 150 local and regional farms, fisheries, and food makers. It runs an organic farm (Sweet Beet Farm) producing vegetables, herbs, and microgreens, and operates food security programs including a 24/7 Community FREEdge and weekly donations to 7+ local pantries. The nonprofit also delivers farm-based education for children and aspiring farmers.

Product overview

Kearsarge Food Hub is a nonprofit organization operating a multi-component local food system with physical retail operations and community programs. The core offerings include Sweet Beet Market (a year-round grocery retail outlet sourcing from 150+ local farms), Sweet Beet Café (a weekend brunch restaurant), and Sweet Beet Farm (an organic vegetable and herb operation producing for their own stores and other local retailers). Supporting food security, the organization runs a Community FREEdge (24/7 free fridge), food donations to local pantries, and discount programs including SNAP match. Educational programs include Kids Education, Farmer Apprenticeship, and Adult Education. Community-building initiatives include FEED Kearsarge coalition, Abenaki Seeds Project, and the Tray it Forward garden program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sweet Beet Market Year-round local food market offering seasonal produce, fresh and frozen meat and seafood, dairy, eggs, baked goods, grocery items, and prepared foods from over 150 local and regional farms, fisheries, and makers. Open Weds–Fri 10am–6pm and Sat & Sun 9am–5pm.
• Sweet Beet Café Weekend café serving seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Open Sat & Sun 9am–2pm. Menu items range $6.50–$16.
• Sweet Beet Farm Working organic farm producing nutrient-dense vegetables, herbs, and microgreens year-round, supplying Sweet Beet Market, food donations, and the Community FREEdge. Produce also distributed through Concord Farmers Market, Local Harvest CSA, Concord Food Co-op, and Harvester Market.
• Community FREEdge 24/7, no-questions-asked free fridge providing community members with fresh produce, prepared meals, and grocery staples. The only such site in the Kearsarge region. Supported by donations, grants, and sponsors such as Bar Harbor Bank and Trust and Spring Ledge Farm.
• Food Donations Program Weekly fresh produce donations from Sweet Beet Farm distributed to 7+ local food pantries across the Kearsarge region. Donations increased 550% during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
• Save at Sweet Beet Discount programs at Sweet Beet Market including Discount Days for military, seniors, and career farmers, customer loyalty rewards, and SNAP/EBT acceptance with 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Kids Education Farm and forest education programs for children and teenagers, including immersive outdoor experiences exploring farm and forest ecosystems. Delivered in partnership with Sunset Hill Education Institute (SHEI).
• Farmer Apprenticeship Program supporting new and aspiring farmers by providing access to land, education, markets, community, and mentorship. The only such program in the Kearsarge region.
• FEED Kearsarge Collaborative network bringing Kearsarge area residents, businesses, farms, food pantries, healthcare, social services, education, land use, and policy organizations together to address food security. Includes the Abenaki Seeds Project, Tray it Forward, and Food Security Summit (120 attendees, 40+ businesses at the 1st Annual in April 2026).
• Abenaki Seeds Project Collaborative seed-saving initiative distributing free Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) seeds to community members to support indigenous food sovereignty and agricultural heritage. Partners include Abenaki Trails Project, Abenaki Helping Abenaki Food Pantry, and Hopkinton Historical Society.
• Tray it Forward Program Community garden initiative offering free seedlings to help community members start their own gardens, supporting home food production across the Kearsarge region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7+ local food pantries receive weekly fresh produce donations from Kearsarge Food Hub
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• FEED KearsargecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEED Kearsarge is a collaborative coalition network co-convened by Kearsarge Food Hub that brings together Kearsarge area residents, businesses, farms, food pantries, healthcare and social services, education, land use and conservation, and policy organizations to address food security. Projects include the Abenaki Seeds Project, Tray it Forward, and Food Security Summit. KFH serves as the backbone organization alongside Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners.
• Kearsarge Neighborhood PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKearsarge Neighborhood Partners (KNP) co-convenes the FEED Kearsarge coalition with Kearsarge Food Hub. The two organizations collaborate on community initiatives including gleaning, food recovery, and equitable food distribution planning in the Kearsarge Region.
• Abenaki Trails ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbenaki Trails Project partners with Kearsarge Food Hub on the Abenaki Seeds Project (Year 6 in 2026), distributing free Three Sisters (corn, beans, squash) seeds to community members to support indigenous food sovereignty and agricultural heritage.
• Abenaki Helping Abenaki Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Abenaki Seeds Project (Year 6 in 2026), supporting indigenous food sovereignty through seed distribution and collaborative food access efforts in the Kearsarge region.
• Hopkinton Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Abenaki Seeds Project (Year 6 in 2026), collaborating on community seed-saving and indigenous agricultural heritage initiatives.
• Sunset Hill Education Institute (SHEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced March 2026 for farm education programs. SHEI is a local nonprofit empowering individuals through barrier-free connection to community and nature. The partnership aligns SHEI's mission with KFH's food system education goals and includes joint programming like Farm + Forest Club and SHEI Open House & Family Day events.
• Artisans of New LondonsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerArtisans of New London is a 2025 sponsor of Sweet Beet Market + Café. They are a cornerstone community business in New London, NH, passionate about community connections and resilience. Their sponsorship supports increased food access, local farmer viability, and environmental vibrancy.
• Bar Harbor Bank and TrustsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual co-sponsor of the Community FREEdge program. Contributes to food security initiatives that support the organization's 24/7 no-questions-asked food access site.
• Spring Ledge FarmsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual co-sponsor of the Community FREEdge and key produce supplier to Sweet Beet Market. Supports food security and local food distribution efforts.
• FREEdge Co-SponsorsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the Community FREEdge program, supporting the 24/7 no-questions-asked food access site at Sweet Beet Market.
• Second Wind (Sponsor)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of Kearsarge Food Hub's nonprofit work, supporting the organization's food security, education, and community programs.
• Local Harvest CSAsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Harvest CSA in Concord, NH distributes Sweet Beet Farm produce, providing an additional market channel for the organization's farm output beyond its own market.
• Concord Food Co-opsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConcord Food Co-op in Concord, NH stocks Sweet Beet Farm produce, distributing local farm products to a broader customer base beyond the Kearsarge region.
• Blue Loon BakeryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlue Loon Bakery in New London, NH stepped in after the February 2025 fire at Sweet Beet Market, providing pastries, sandwiches, quiche, and soups to Sweet Beet customers during the café's temporary closure. Committed to continued support as long as needed.
• CARHE (Center for Academic Excellence, Research, and Humanities Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARHE co-hosts the Farm Bill Chit Chat events (July 2026) with Kearsarge Food Hub, providing education on how the Farm Bill impacts farming practices and food assistance programs, and facilitating advocacy efforts.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Large-scale regional food bank with food distribution, nutrition education, and community food programs. Comparable food access and pantry distribution mission, though at much larger scale than Kearsarge Food Hub.

Regional players

• Vermont Foodbank: Regional food bank distributing food through a pantry network and operating food access programs across Vermont. Comparable food distribution model (weekly donations to 7+ pantries) with similar New England rural nonprofit scale and mission.
• Food Connects: Vermont-based food hub that aggregates and distributes local farm products while running food education programs. Comparable as a New England nonprofit food hub combining producer aggregation with community education.

Direct peers

• The Common Market: Nonprofit regional food hub aggregating from local/regional farms and distributing to institutional and retail customers. Comparable to Kearsarge Food Hub's 150+ vendor aggregation and distribution role through Sweet Beet Market.
• Local Matters: Columbus, OH nonprofit focused on food education, food access, and connecting communities to fresh local food. Comparable in combining education programming, food access initiatives, and community-based food retail engagement.
• The Food Trust: Philadelphia-based nonprofit working on food access, nutrition education, and healthy food retail. Comparable to Kearsarge Food Hub's combination of food retail (Sweet Beet Market), education programming, and food access advocacy.
• Frontline Farming: Colorado-based nonprofit operating working farms alongside food access, education, and community programs. Directly comparable to Kearsarge Food Hub's integrated farm + market + food security + education nonprofit structure.
• Wholesome Wave: National nonprofit focused on doubling SNAP/EBT benefits for fresh produce access. Directly comparable to Kearsarge Food Hub's SNAP/EBT 50% off fresh produce program and broader food access mission.
• DC Central Kitchen: Nonprofit that combines food production, food donations, culinary job training, and healthy food access. Highly comparable to Kearsarge Food Hub's multi-program model integrating kitchen/cafe operations, food donations to pantries, and education/training.
• Soul Fire Farm: BIPOC-led farm and food justice organization combining working farm production, food distribution, farmer training, and food sovereignty education. Closely parallels Kearsarge Food Hub's Sweet Beet Farm + Abenaki Seeds Project + farmer apprenticeship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kearsargefoodhub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kearsarge-food-hub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kearsarge Food Hub