Lebanon, N.H. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) met with the leadership of the Hanover Co-op Food Stores to hear about their operations and tour the Lebanon location. During the visit, the group discussed the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill, which Congress is currently considering, and how the legislation can advance New Hampshire farmers’ and producers’ priorities. Specifically, Kuster highlighted the important role that food co-ops play in our food system and how we can expand access to fresh, local groceries for rural communities in New Hampshire and across the country.

“Access to fresh, affordable, locally-grown food strengthens our economy and helps our communities thrive. But, in rural areas across New Hampshire, access is not always possible. That’s why food co-ops are so important,” said Kuster. “It was wonderful to meet with the leadership of the Hanover Co-Op Food Stores today to discuss their operations, hear about their priorities, and tour their facility in Lebanon. I look forward to bringing the conversation we had today back to my colleagues in Congress as we work to finalize the 2023 Farm Bill.”

Rebecca J. H. White of Hanover Co-op's Public and Government Affairs Department said, "Our meeting today showcases how connected Representative Kuster is to our local and regional food systems. Her work shapes national farm bill programs that strengthen the many small, independent, and diverse food businesses that bolster our region toward an equitable and secure food future." Ms. White leads the Co-op's local and national Farm Bill advocacy efforts.

Kuster, a former Member of the House Committee on Agriculture and a fierce advocate for New Hampshire farmers and producers, has introduced or co-sponsored the following bills:

• The Veteran and Beginning Farmers Assistance Act would reauthorize the Applied Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) program in the next Farm Bill. This reauthorization would specifically empower ATTRA to provide technical assistance to farmers regarding strategies to address climate change and extreme weather;
• The Biomass Thermal Utilization Act would create a 30% renewable energy tax credit for biomass thermal units in residential and commercial properties;
• The American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act would establish Food Supply Chain Resiliency Centers that would provide technical assistance to small and medium-sized producers with supply chain issues;
• The Farm Worker Modernization Act would make meaningful reforms to the H-2A agricultural guestworker program and creates a first-of-its-kind, merit-based visa program specifically designed for the nation’s agricultural sector; and
• The Streamlining Nutrition Assistance Paperwork Act, which would make permanent flexibility set up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the pandemic, helping reduce a layer of bureaucracy surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications.

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