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News Bites: RI Food Policy Council Food System “Snapshots” / Urban Greens Food Co-op / USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

by David Dadekian December 16, 2015
written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

RI Food Policy Council Unveils Food System “Snapshots” to State Leaders at Inter-agency Food & Nutrition Policy Advisory Council (IFNPAC) meeting, Brings Local Food Systems Data to Forefront

Rhode Island Food Policy CouncilThe Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) unveiled its food system snapshots last week to the Inter-agency Food and Nutrition Policy Advisory Council, sharing data about the food systems of all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns, as well as for the entire state. All 40 snapshots are available to download on the RIFPC website at www.rifoodcouncil.org.

On the heels of Governor Raimondo’s announcement that Rhode Island will be developing a State Food Plan, the release of these data will help stakeholders better understand the food systems of their state and communities, and identify leverage and action points from which to evolve and improve. RIFPC Chair Ken Payne notes, “food systems have to work at a community level, otherwise people, especially the most vulnerable, are put at risk; therefore the components of the food systems need to be understand locally. Let’s be clear- living in a place that has great, nutritious food is wonderful. We in RI are blessed to have an outstanding food culture. Good local food is a building block to a healthy future.”

These fact sheets are a first: comprehensive, locality-by-locality information about the food system in a state. They bring attention to the importance of food system impacts and issues – economic, social, and environmental – while remaining accessible and available for laypeople and experts alike. “The ability to collect, analyze, and clearly communicate data is central to our work to improve health outcomes for all Rhode Islanders,” said Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “I applaud the Rhode Island Food Policy Council for this innovative new initiative. It will help us better understand the food system in Rhode Island communities so that we can eliminate gaps in access to food and boost our food economy, which will benefit the entire state.”

Leo Pollock, RIFPC Network Director, noted that this was an unprecedented effort, “we had no roadmap for how to proceed, and we learned a great deal along the way.” Lessons learned include that in some cases, there is no available source for specific data by municipality. The number of farms is one such data point. No entity maintains a complete list of farms, so the best municipal numbers were compiled from RIDEM and Farm Fresh RI lists, which are incomplete. The 2012 Census of Agriculture does not provide information at the level of municipality, so as a result, the number of farms reported in the fact sheet for Rhode Island was quite different from that of the Census.

While these fact sheets represent a single moment in a local food system, over time, as future series of “snapshots” are developed, the set as a whole will provide a dynamic picture of the evolving food system in our state and communities. “Rhode Island is experiencing exciting growth in its agricultural and local food sector,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “These snapshots offer a valuable glimpse into the diversity and breadth of our food system; we look forward to working with the RI Food Policy Council and other partners to continue to build upon resources like this to shape stronger food policies for our state.”

The work of the RIFPC is made possible by the generous contributions of the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, van Beuren Charitable Foundation, and the John Merck Fund. Their contributions, along with funds from the Rhode Island Agricultural Partnership, supported the development of these fact sheets.


Urban Greens Food Co-op Announces Site of Future Grocery Store

Urban Greens Food Co-opIn an event at the Columbus Theater this evening, Urban Greens Food Co-op announced the future location of its consumer-owned grocery store. The retail store will be located at 93 Cranston Street, the site of the old Louttit Laundry building. The co-op store will be the anchor commercial tenant in a mixed use development including 39 residential units. Urban Greens will occupy a 7000 square foot retail grocery space. The Co-op will be a full-service grocery store, though it will emphasize natural, healthy, and local food in its product mix. This announcement comes after a multi-year search and planning effort by the Co-op’s Cooperative Council & Site Committee to secure a viable site for Providence’s first consumer-owned retail grocery store.

The former Louttit Laundry site has been abandoned since 1985, and an empty lot since 2008. Owned by the Providence Redevelopment Authority (PRA), it was a Brownfield site, requiring environmental remediation. The city was supportive of the co-op’s desire to locate the store on the site, and the PRA and Urban Greens have worked together over the last two years to create a plan for the site, and bring the appropriate developer on board to purchase and develop the site. The development team is a partnership of Bourne Avenue Capital Partners, D+P Real Estate, and Truth Box Studio.

Urban Greens grew out of a group of residents need for a full-scale grocery store on the west side of the city, especially one that offered healthy & local goods. “This site is ideal in so many ways for Urban Greens Food Co-op. It’s situated at the nexus point of three diverse neighborhoods: Federal Hill, West End & Upper South Providence, as well as being just west of downtown, and easily accessible from I95 and Rts 6/10” said Philip Trevett, an Urban Greens Cooperative Council Member, “we’re incredibly excited to help meet the food needs of our immediate neighborhood residents by while at the same time helping to expand consistant retail access to locally sourced foods in the Providence Metro area.”

Founded by a group of residents on the west side of Providence lacking a full-scale grocery store and seeking increased access to healthy foods closeby, Urban Greens Food Co-op now has 630+ member-owners, made up of residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as from across the city and the state–all excited to spend their food dollars at a community-owned and invested grocery store. The innovative ownership model of a consumer co-op will ensure that local sourcing is a strong priority, and that profits stay in Rhode Island. The store will help fill a missing link in Rhode Island’s growing food economy by providing local farmers and producers a new, stable, year-round sales opportunity, and significantly increasing the consistent availability of local products to consumers. The store will provide and promote local, healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food options. The Co-op will support the local economy by creating new jobs, supporting local farmers and producers, and reinvesting its profits locally.

Urban Greens Food Co-op announced the future location of the Co-op’s much anticipated retail grocery store in a celebration and informational session at the Columbus Theatre on Thursday, December 3rd. Together with the project developer, the Urban Greens Council and Site Committee unveiled initial plans, including preliminary building design, as well as presenting information about the Co-op’s funding structure and overall project timeline. Representatives from the City and the State joined the evening’s speaking program: Peter Asen, Director of the City’s Healthy Communities Office, Mark Huang, the City’s Director of Economic Development, and Ken Ayars, Chief of the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture.

The event was attended by over 275 community members and featured food & drink (generous donations provided by Pizza J, Acacia Cafe, Seven Stars Bakery & The Avery Bar) and live music by Chris Monti.

Please visit http://www.UrbanGreens.com for more details, or get in touch with us using the above contact info if you have further questions.


DEM Promotes Growth of Local Farm Economy with Latest Grant Awards

A total of $244,109 will be invested to support specialty crop production and sales in Rhode Island

The Department of Environmental Management announced today the award of farm viability grants to six Rhode Island-based groups working to support local farmers; the grants, totaling $244,109, are made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and will support efforts to increase specialty crop production and grow the marketplace for these crops in Rhode Island.  USDA defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops, including floriculture and turf grass.

“Rhode Islanders take great pride in their agricultural heritage,” said Governor Raimondo.  “The exciting growth of our local food economy is a testament to that history and expertise – supporting thousands of jobs, businesses, and families across the state.  We all play a role in moving our state forward, and I am proud of these grant recipients and their efforts to support Rhode Island food producers and to foster innovation and growth in local agriculture.”

“We are thrilled to announce these awards that help to sustain our local farming industry and support the livelihoods of so many families in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.  “Promoting growth in this important economic sector requires a coordinated yet varied approach that focuses on supporting growers and cultivating their practices but also increasing consumer knowledge and demand.  We are pleased to reflect this approach in the diversity of initiatives funded in this grant round and look forward to the success of these projects.”

Grant recipients include:

  • University of Rhode Island, Nutrition and Food Sciences Department – $20,131
    Rhode Island-based Produce Safety Alliance will provide training for farmers in safe produce planting, harvesting and handling practices to better assist them in meeting FDA regulatory compliance mandates and/or buyer requirements.
  • Alex Caserta and the RI Public Broadcast System (PBS) – $48,745
    PBS will air seven episodes of the Harvesting Rhode Island television series to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers on the benefits of buying locally-produced crops.  This series brings viewers on location to see the farms, meet the farmers, and hear them talk about food cultivation and what it takes to grow these crops.  The series’ pilot, which aired last spring, was funded through a $35,000 farm viability grant in 2013.
  • Rhode Island Agricultural Council (RIAC) – $14,291
    The Council will develop and implement a promotional campaign to enhance the visibility and viability of specialty crops throughout Rhode Island and New England.  Campaign activities will include development of a website, promotional materials, and a traveling display highlighting local specialty crops.  Presentations will also be given at agricultural events throughout New England and in classrooms across Rhode Island.
  • Farm Fresh Rhode Island – $49,621
    Farm Fresh will engage in a systematic approach to increasing the demand for locally grown specialty crops in school cafeterias.  Activities will include joining school district wellness committees, developing and implementing educational programs for classrooms and after-school programs, and facilitating communications among purchasers, producers and processor/distributors.
  • Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island – $20,000
    The Association will provide training and technical support to farmers to enhance the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops.  Specifically, efforts will focus on training farmers to produce high-value organic crops to meet local market demand through a series of advanced grower training seminars; technical support from local farm advisors and on-farm workshops where organic techniques will be demonstrated will be provided.
  • Rhode Island Beekeepers Association (RIBA) – $27,400
    The Association will provide registered Rhode Island beekeepers with a genetically-superior queen for re-queening of an existing hive.  The project supports RIBA’s ongoing efforts to develop its own breeding program and will assist local beekeepers in invigorating and growing their colonies and increasing disease and mite resistance; it will also support the viability of the honeybee population, increasing the yield and quality of Rhode Island fruit and vegetable crops.

In addition to funding these grants, USDA awarded $63,921 to DEM to strengthen the “Get Fresh, Buy Local” campaign.  The funds will be used to support specialty crop sales and improve promotional materials and activities, including featuring produce demonstrations by local celebrity chefs at farmers’ markets. To date, DEM has awarded more than $2 million in farm viability grants to support the competitiveness of locally-grown specialty crops.

Rhode Island is experiencing significant growth in its agricultural and local food sector.  The state’s food system supports 60,000 jobs in Rhode Island and more than 7,000 businesses.  Rhode Island is home to more than 1,200 farms – which are largely family operations and occupy a total of 68,000 acres across the state.  The Ocean State is a national leader in direct-sales to consumers, with approximately 50 seasonal farmers markets in the state’s urban, suburban and rural areas; eight indoor winter markets; and numerous pick-your-own and farm-stand operations.

For more information, visit www.dem.ri.gov.  Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

December 16, 2015 0 comment
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News Bites: Bottles Fine Wine Begins Drizly Home Delivery, Harvesting Rhode Island Premieres on RI PBS, JWU Student Fellowship Award

by David Dadekian March 19, 2015
written by David Dadekian

DrizlyCurrent news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

A Superior Way To Shop For Beer, Wine And Liquor Launches In Providence As Drizly Continues U.S. Expansion

With the city’s biggest selection and best prices, now all delivered in less than an hour at the touch of a button, the Joy of Drinking has arrived in Providence

Drizly, the technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor, today announced its expansion to Providence, RI. Now, legal-age drinkers in Providence can experience “The Joy of Drinking” from their smartphone or desktop, shopping from the city’s biggest selection and best prices on alcohol, all delivered in less than an hour at the touch of a button.

Orders placed through Drizly are fulfilled through a strategic partnership with local retailer Bottles Fine Wine, considered the elite brick-and-mortar retail liquor store in Providence.

“The ‘Joy of Drinking’ is when the best selection, price and merchandising meets speed and convenience,” said Bryan Goodwin, VP of sales and retail partnerships for Drizly. “Combining Drizly’s technology and delivery framework with Bottles’ price and selection will create a superior way to shop for beer, wine and liquor in Providence. We are really excited to help an elite retailer like Bottles extend their retail business all the way to the Providence’s front door.”

Areas in Providence where Drizly is now available to consumers and businesses include the East Side, College Hill, Fox Point, Downcity, Jewelry District, Federal Hill, West Side, Armory District, Oak Hill, Rumford and East Providence. Additional areas will be added and announced as they become available.

“GET THE DOOR. IT’S THE LIQUOR STORE!”

Legal-age drinkers in Providence simply download the free Drizly app on their smartphone or visit Drizly.com. There, they will find a shopping experience that is informative, customized and fun, with Bottles’ huge selection and great prices elegantly integrated with Drizly’s rich content and personalized recommendations, as well as innovations consumers have come to expect from on-demand companies like Amazon, Netflix and Uber.

Drizly also lets consumers schedule alcohol deliveries when it is most convenient for them, earn valuable rewards on purchases, or easily send the gift of alcohol to friends, family and colleagues of legal drinking age.

FREE DELIVERY THROUGH MARCH 31

As a special welcome to new users in Providence, Drizly is offering free delivery (a $5 value) on all orders through March 31 with the promo code PROVIDENCE. For these types of promotions and more, residents of Providence are encouraged to follow @DrizlyPROVI on Twitter.

“Delivering the best possible service to our community is incredibly important to us,” said Gil MacLean, Bottles’ owner. “With Drizly, we’re able to safely, responsibly and effectively meet the needs of our customers who prefer the convenience of shopping online. We’re really happy to be working with Drizly and know that their proven track record of success across the country will help us continue to deliver excellent customer service here in Providence.”

ABOUT DRIZLY

Drizly is a technology company powering a superior shopping experience for beer, wine and liquor. Combining the best selection and price, content-rich and personalized shopping experiences, and the speed and convenience of on-demand delivery, Drizly delivers “The Joy of Drinking” to legal-age drinkers across the United States. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $4.8 million to become a superior place to shop for beer, wine and liquor in Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Providence, Seattle, Washington D.C., and other cities across the United States. For more info, visit www.drizly.com.

ABOUT BOTTLES FINE WINE

Bottles Fine Wine is an award-winning shop in Providence, RI, offering the best selection of fine wine, artisanal spirits and craft beer, and staffed by a friendly, passionate team of beverage enthusiasts. Founded in 2010, Bottles is a full-service destination store that provides free weekly events, custom engraved bottles, gift baskets, monthly clubs, in-home tastings and in-state delivery. We are located at 141 Pitman Street on the East Side of Providence. For more information please visit www.bottlesfinewine.com.

AVAILABLE ON iPHONE, ANDROID AND WEB

  • iPhone: http://driz.ly/ios
  • Android: http://driz.ly/android
  • drizly.com

HOW DRIZLY WORKS

  1. Download Drizly to your iPhone or Android phone, or log on to Drizly.com.
  2. Sign up and add your favorite beer, wine and liquor to your cart.
  3. Check out, enter discount codes, pay and tip your driver, all right from Drizly.
  4. In less than one hour, your alcohol will be delivered.

 


DEM’S Division of Agriculture Announces Upcoming TV Series About Farming in Rhode Island to Air on RI PBS Starting March 22

Project was funded by a DEM Farm Viability Grant

The Department of Environmental Management announces that “Harvesting Rhode Island,” a five-part pilot television series promoting Rhode Island-grown specialty crops, will air on RI PBS beginning this Sunday, March 22. Funding for the project was provided through a $35,000 farm viability grant from DEM to Alex Caserta, executive producer of the series. Caserta developed the series in cooperation with RI PBS and the RI Nursery and Landscape Association to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers about locally-grown specialty crops.

“Be sure to tune in and watch Harvesting Rhode Island on RI PBS,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “This informative series brings viewers on location to see the farms, meet the farmers, and hear them talk about food cultivation and what it takes to grow the fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops that are in demand by Rhode Island consumers.”

Harvesting Rhode Island explains how farmers have had to balance the traditional approaches that were handed down to them with the variable realities of today’s business climate. In the latter part of the 20th century, local wholesale markets began to shrink due to large retailers and national distribution systems. As a result, growers increased their direct marketing through on-site retail stands, pick-your-own programs, farmers markets, and selling through local retailers. This direct approach has, in turn, stimulated diversification to satisfy the needs and tastes of consumers and their interest in purchasing locally-harvested products.

DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees or supports numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers’ markets, and buy local programs. To date, DEM has awarded more than $1.8 million in farm viability grants for projects that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture and turf grass production.

“This series will help strengthen markets for specialty crops and help sustain the livelihood of Rhode Island farmers, so it’s a win-win for consumers and farmers alike,” Director Coit added.

Episodes will air two at a time in the ongoing series, Rhode Island Stories, Sundays at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., beginning March 22. The five episodes will air as follows:

  • Farm to Table – Owners Desi and Eric Wolf of Maple Dell Farm in Foster also own Loie Fuller’s restaurant in Providence, established in 2007. Some of the local ingredients they use come from the Rhode Island Mushroom Co. in Kingston, established in 2011 and owned by Mike Hallock and Bob Di Pietro.

Rhode Island PBS                3/22/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                3/28/2015      11:00 PM
LEARN                                3/24/2015      8:00 PM

  • Grape Expectations – Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards is the oldest vineyard in New England, located in Little Compton, and owned by Carolyn Rafaelian. Greenvale Vineyards is located in Portsmouth along the Sakonnet River, a historic farm owned by Nancy Parker Wilson. The farm was established in 1863 and vineyards in 1982.

Rhode Island PBS                3/22/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS                3/28/2015      11:30 PM
LEARN                                3/24/2015      8:30 PM

  • Farming Old, Farming New – Wayne Salisbury is the 5th generation owner of Salisbury Farm in Johnston, growing a wide selection of products. Established in 1860, Big Train Farm is owned by John Kenny and leases the land from Urban Edge Farm located in Cranston.

Rhode Island PBS                3/29/2015      6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/4/2015        11:00 PM
LEARN                                3/31/2015      8:00 PM

  • A Tale of Three Nurseries– Portsmouth Nursery, located in Portsmouth, is a 4th generation business. Owners Jean and Steve Cotta’s relatives emigrated from Portugal. Their farm was established in the late 1800s and is one of the oldest nurseries in the country. Rhode Island Nurseries in Middletown is owned by 4th generation Bruce Vanicek and was established in 1885. His relatives migrated from Czechoslovakia. Hoogendoorn Nurseries, established in Middletown in 1921, is owned by 2nd generation Dixon and Victor Hoogendoorn, whose parents emigrated from Holland.

Rhode Island PBS                3/29/2015      6:30 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/4/2015        11:30 PM
LEARN                                3/31/2015      8:30 PM

  • Farm City – Southside Community Land Trust is located in Providence and was established in 1981. Steward Richard Pederson works with a staff and crew of volunteers. Fertile Underground, located in Providence on Westminster Street, is a grocery store run by Michael Giroux selling local natural products.

Rhode Island PBS                4/5/2015        6:00 PM
Rhode Island PBS                4/11/2015     11:00 PM
LEARN                                4/7/2015       8:00 PM

WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits standard-definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; on Rhode Island cable: Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; on Massachusetts cable: Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; on satellite: DirecTV 36 / 3128HD, Dish Network 36 / 7776.
WSBE Learn transmits over the air on digital 36.2; in Rhode Island on Cox 808; Verizon FiOS 478; Full Channel 89; and in Massachusetts on Comcast 294 or 312.


Nightclub & Bar Media Group Selects Winners for the Johnson & Wales Student Fellowship Award

Unique Award Recognizes and Supports Students Interested in a Career in the Hospitality Industry

Nightclub & Bar is honored to congratulate three students for winning the Johnson & Wales Student Fellowship. After receiving an overwhelming amount of applications this year, Nightclub & Bar is excited to extend the award to an additional applicant, making for three winners. This year’s winners are Michael Taberski, Nicholas Zamora, and Peter Waite. Each of them displayed a level of knowledge, professionalism, and motivation that proved that their participation in the Nightclub & Bar Show this year would benefit their understanding of the industry.

“Three of our applicants stood out from this year’s excellent group. We are grateful to Nightclub & Bar for offering to increase the number of fellowships from two to three, allowing us to reward all three of these exceptional candidates,” said Brian J. Warrener, Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University.

Each of the fellows will be provided admission to the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada with three nights lodging and a $400.00 stipend to defray the costs of travel and expenses. The selected Student Fellows will also be featured on Nightclub.com and will be celebrated during an awards ceremony at the upcoming 2015 Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, March 30 – April 1.

In order for eligibility, students had to be 21 years of age at the beginning of the Convention and Trade show in order to attend the event. Each applicant had to have a junior or senior standing with an average GPA of 3.0 or higher within the Johnson & Wales School of Hospitality. Michael, Nicolas, and Peter had an exceptional educational background in the food and beverage industry and demonstrated that their participation at the show would be leveraged.

March 19, 2015 0 comment
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RI DEM News Release: DEM Announces Award of $205,311 in Farm Viability Grants to Enhance and Promote Rhode Island Specialty Crops

by David Dadekian November 1, 2013
written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: October 29, 2013
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM ANNOUNCES AWARD OF $205,311 IN FARM VIABILITY GRANTS TO ENHANCE AND PROMOTE RHODE ISLAND SPECIALTY CROPS

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management has announced the award of farm viability grants totaling $205,311 for projects that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture and turf grass production.

“We’re pleased to award these grants for projects that will help strengthen markets for specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of Rhode Island farmers, and promote the long-term viability of agriculture in our state,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

The farm viability grants will be used for a wide range of purposes, such as increasing purchase of specialty crops by local schools, creating African vegetable markets in select stores in African and Latino neighborhoods, and supporting agricultural research at the University of Rhode Island.

DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Resources Marketing received 11 applications for the grants. Following is a list of projects awarded funding through the grant round:

  • $50,000 to Farm Fresh Rhode Island, to increase specialty crop purchases by local public schools by continuing to provide technical assistance to food service management companies and local farmers; making connections resulting in local specialty crops on the menu at schools, hospitals, care facilities, senior meal sites and worksite cafeterias; and building demand for local specialty crops through classroom and worksite education programs. Matching funds cover the costs associated with non-specialty crop items;
  • $20,000 to the African Alliance of Rhode Island, to provide access to African vegetables grown in urban vegetable-growing parcels by creating African vegetable markets in pilot corner stores in African/Latino neighborhoods that will incorporate native African vegetable education programs and cooking demonstrations;
  • $17,000 to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island, to provide training for specialty crop farmers in the use of organic production techniques;
  • $10,500 to Beanhouses Inc. and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, to determine if there are any varieties of dry beans that can be grown in Rhode Island, and make dry bean production an affordable option for farmers by conducting variety trials and demonstrating a bean thresher and bean winnow to growers;
  • $31,865 to the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, to improve yield and quality of melons by testing innovative methods of protecting melons from striped cucumber beetle damage throughout the crop cycle while minimizing risks to bees. Successful control methods will be shared with interested growers through Vegetable Twilight Meetings hosted by the Cooperative Extension, and through the newly web-accessible “RI Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin;” and
  • $35,000 to Alex Caserta, to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers about locally-produced specialty crops by working with the Rhode Island Public Broadcasting Service and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association to develop a pilot television series promoting specialty crops.

In addition to the grants, $40,946 in funding is provided to DEM’s Division of Agriculture, to continue to increase demand and consumption of Rhode Island-grown specialty crops by expanding on the “Rhode Island Grown Get Fresh Buy Local” initiative through produce preparation demonstrations featuring local celebrity chefs at all RI farmers markets and participating roadside stands; updating its RI agricultural display; enhancing the marketing program by making point-of-purchase advertising material available to farmers; and introducing electronic benefit transfer banking to farmers markets to allow federal nutrition benefit recipients to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Matching funds will be used to cover non-specialty crops and producers.

RI School Districts Spend 11 Percent of Food Budgets Buying Local Products, According to New USDA Report

Director Coit pointed to Farm Fresh Rhode Island as a good example of an effort that is regularly supported by the specialty crop grant program. Today, Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a successful organization supporting the local food system that sponsors the Farm to School program, which is aimed at increasing the consumption of locally-harvested fruits and vegetables by Rhode Island school students. In addition, Farm Fresh Rhode Island also sponsors a host of farmers’ markets including one year-round market; distribution channels for bringing locally-grown products to restaurants, worksites, hospitals, grocers, schools, food pantries and community centers; and special events such as the Local Food Forum held annually at Brown University.

As indicated in USDA’s first-ever Farm to School Census which was released today, Rhode Island has a very high participation rate in farm-to-school programs, which was reported at 100 percent among the census respondents. The state’s responding school districts spent $1.1 million, or approximately 11 percent of their school food budgets buying local fruits and vegetables. “There’s nothing better than biting into a freshly-picked apple or ear of sweet corn from a local farm, and thanks to the farm-to-school program, students across Rhode Island can enjoy these delicious, healthy foods as part of their school lunch,” said Director Coit. “Plus, more than 95 percent of the responding school districts said they will but more local foods in the future. This is a real win-win for our students and Rhode Island’s agriculture industry.”

Sheri Griffin, co-executive director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island said, “Support from the specialty crop program has created important successes for the RI Farm to School program. All of Rhode Island’s public school districts purchase locally-grown specialty crops, with support from Farm to School Coordinator Kim Clark providing technical assistance to school purchasers and farmers alike. Kim is also able to provide agricultural education programs for students in these districts, with lessons that touch on math, history, business and environmental topics. We are so fortunate to be able to secure this funding for this important work.”

DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers’ markets, and buy local and agri-tourism programs. “All across our state we can see the tremendous growth of agriculture, from the expanded network of farmers’ markets to the promotion of local foods in our outstanding restaurants,” noted DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Island’s $1.7 billion green industry – and the 12,300 jobs it supports – is a bright spot in the economy of our beautiful state, thanks to growing consumer interest in products grown locally. On top of these economic benefits, agriculture also contributes to tourism, open space, quality of life, and access to local foods and horticultural products.”

November 1, 2013 0 comment
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Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

Rhode Island Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow

Rhode Island Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow

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