CHESHIRE COUNTY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Cheshire County veterans will have another reason to visit local farmers’ markets this September, with a community program offering $20 vouchers for food purchases each weekend.

The Cheshire County Conservation District is bringing back its Veteran Appreciation Month program, which has been running since 2018. Veterans who live in Cheshire County can receive one voucher per weekend at participating farmers’ markets, while supplies last.

The program is intended as a community thank-you to veterans rather than a needs-based benefit. Organizers say it also provides a boost to local farmers and helps connect residents with locally produced food.

Vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at designated Veteran Appreciation Month booths. Veterans are limited to one voucher at one participating market each weekend, and the vouchers must be used for food purchases by the end of September.

Five markets are participating this year:

Hinsdale Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, Sept. 5 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street in Hinsdale.
Keene Farmers’ Market: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Gilbo Avenue in Keene.
Jaffrey Community Farmers’ Market: Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. on Main Street in Jaffrey.
Winchester Farmers’ Market: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street in Winchester.
Rindge Farmers Market: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West Rindge Common Park on Route 202 North.

Veterans must provide proof of both Cheshire County residency and veteran status to receive a voucher. A driver’s license or piece of mail can be used to establish residency.

Acceptable forms of veteran identification include a copy of a DD-214, a Veterans Health Identification Card, a VA “Choose VA” Veterans ID card, a New Hampshire driver’s license with a veteran designation or a retired military ID card.

The program is open to veterans living in 23 Cheshire County communities: Alstead, Chesterfield, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Gilsum, Harrisville, Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Keene, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Richmond, Rindge, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan, Surry, Swanzey, Troy, Walpole, Westmoreland and Winchester.

The Conservation District operates the program in partnership with participating farmers’ markets and Cheshire Medical Center’s Center for Population Health. Organizers say the effort supports the goals of the Healthy Monadnock Alliance while improving access to healthy food and supporting local agriculture.

Funding for the program comes in part from community donations. The Conservation District is accepting contributions to help continue Veteran Appreciation Month in future years.

The program was modeled after a Vouchers for Veterans initiative launched by the Rochester Farmers’ Market in 2016.

More information about the program is available at cheshireconservation.org/veterans.

Veterans seeking assistance with registration or additional information can contact the Cheshire County Conservation District at 603-904-3011 or info@cheshireconservation.org.