about plates for change

Plates for Change is a volunteer-run organization passionate about ending childhood hunger and food insecurity in our seacoast communities. We champion policy change, educate, and plan and execute amazing events with our community partners to raise much-needed funds for local charities and non-profits that provide healthy food to those in need.

our history

In 1994 a group of seacoast restaurant owners and volunteers with a passion to end food insecurity in their communities brought their collective talents together to throw one of the area’s biggest parties showcasing the finest beverages and food prepared by local chefs. It's purpose- to raise funds for the national non-profit, No-Kid-Hungry. The June event, known widely as Portsmouth Taste of the Nation, raised more than $2 million over 25 years to benefit children in need.

In November 2019, some of those same volunteers, and many new members equally passionate about the cause, formed a new organization called Plates for Change to focus their efforts solely on their local communities. Their June event continues at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth and they plan to host other culinary fundraising events as well as expand their efforts to include advocating for policy change and educating people about growing and eating healthy foods.

our mission

Our focus and mission is to significantly reduce and end childhood hunger and food insecurity in New Hampshire and local communities. We support organizations that focus on feeding children and ending food insecurity. We make every dollar count by distributing monies to those organizations through grants that feed local children and invest in programs that will end childhood hunger once and for all.

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash