Tag:

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island

Name: Hope & Main Schoolyard Twilight Party 2026
Start: 2026-08-29T17:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-08-29T21:00:00-04:00
Location: Hope & Main

farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Mystic Aquarium and Grey Sail Beer / Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Anniversary / Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Wins More Awards

by David Dadekian July 2, 2019

written by David Dadekian

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

Mystic Aquarium and Grey Sail Brewing Team Up for Gray Seal Ale

New Blond Ale Named for Rescued & Released “Lou-Seal”

In celebration of the start of summer, Mystic Aquarium, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and one of the nation’s leading aquariums, is pleased to announce a partnership with Westerly’s Grey Sail Brewing to launch “Gray Seal Ale”. The blond ale pays homage to Lou-Seal, an adult gray seal who stranded in Bermuda and was transferred to Mystic Aquarium for rehabilitative care before being released on May 30^th.

The label, designed by Kyle Reichman of Newport, RI-based 6 Square Design and Communications, depicts a beautiful gray seal swimming among other creatures under the sea and includes messaging about Mystic Aquarium’s longstanding animal rescue program.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with such a wonderful local business to help raise awareness of our mission,” said Roslyn Gilhuly, SVP of External Relations at Mystic Aquarium. “This partnership has given us a unique – and delicious – way to honor not only Lou-Seal, but the more than 500 marine animals we have rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into their ocean environment.”

The blond ale made its debut at the Aquarium’s Young Professionals Networking Night on June 20^th and will be available for purchase throughout the summer at all Mystic Aquarium events catered by Ocean Blue Catering as well as at the Aquarium’s Penguins Café.

Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Celebrates Ten Years

July Kicks Off Farm Fresh RI’s Nutrition Education Workshops at Farmers Markets

You may have heard about Farm Fresh RI because of its farmers markets, its wholesale service for local farms, or its new food hub development project in the Valley neighborhood of Providence. Both fueling and complimenting these initiatives is a focus on community access and education — which have been at the heart of the nonprofit’s mission of growing the local food system since its founding in 2004, by a Brown University undergraduate student.

Today, Farm Fresh RI continues providing information on local farms, agriculture, and nutrition to a broad range of community members across the state — in schools, libraries, daycares, senior centers and senior housing. Its nutrition education programs are hands-on, interactive, and work to provide participants with the information needed to make smart choices about food. Programs also seek to share cultural traditions around food and celebrate the diverse culinary heritage of Rhode Island.

One such program is Healthy Foods, Healthy Families — offering interactive food and nutrition workshops at summer farmers markets in July and August for families with children receiving federal food assistance — WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Provided in English and Spanish, the curriculum empowers parents and children with the tools to shop for affordable, seasonal foods and prepare them in healthy, kid-friendly ways. For each week of participation, families receive free samples, games, recipes, financial incentives, and other bonuses — including Farm Fresh RI’s dollar-for-dollar match in Bonus Bucks available to all SNAP users at most farmers markets across Rhode Island.

Free Program, Easy Sign-Up
Families that receive WIC or SNAP and have at least one child age 12 or younger can enroll for free in the 2019 session of Healthy Foods, Healthy Families starting July 1, 2019. This year we will be unveiling new lessons, new activities, and new recipes all season! Just visit any of the following farmers markets for more information and to sign up.

Armory Market
85 Parade St, Providence
Thursdays, 3:30-7:00pm

Broad Street Market
807 Broad St, Providence
Saturdays, 8:00am-12:00pm

Central Falls Market
559 Dexter St, Central Falls
Wednesdays, 3:00-6:30pm

Neutaconkanut Market
675 Plainfield St, Providence
Mondays, 3:00-6:00pm

Slater Park Market
375 Newport Ave, Pawtucket
New location inside park: by Len’s Snack Stand
Wednesdays, 3:00-6:00pm

Woonsocket Market
Thundermist Health Center
250 Clinton St, Woonsocket
Tuesdays, 3:00-6:00pm

Note: While these farmers markets remain open weekly through the end of October, the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program will run through August 29, 2019.

Birthday Celebration for All Families — August 12–16, 2019
Recognizing gaps in food literacy and lack of comfortability cooking locally grown produce by members of the RI community, Farm Fresh RI first tested the concept of farmers market-based nutrition education at just the Armory Market back in 2008. With the quick success of the program’s pilot season, it was expanded the following year to additional farmers markets run by Farm Fresh RI — and Healthy Foods, Healthy Families was born.

In honor of officially turning 10 this summer, Farm Fresh RI invites all families (whether you’ve participated in the program before or not) to free birthday party festivities like balloons, fun kids activities, and special treats at all of the above-listed farmers markets during the week of August 12th. No tickets needed, just come to the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families table at the market!

Support by Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI and the Andrade-Faxon Charities for Children
Earlier this year, Farm Fresh RI received a 2019 BlueAngel Community Health Grant (BACHG) from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). The $22,000 grant will provide parents and children with resources to shop for and prepare healthy meals through the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program.

“Our support for organizations like Farm Fresh Rhode Island enables them to continue effectively addressing social and environmental factors that lead to overweight and obesity — particularly for low-income families in our state,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI.

Onelissa Martinez, former Nutrition Education Manager at Farm Fresh RI added, “Thanks to this BlueAngel Community Health Grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI, we will be able to empower more Rhode Island families with the information and tools to make healthy choices and invest in their health and communities.”

Program Methods and Outcomes
Healthy Foods, Healthy Families is a fruit and vegetable exposure/incentive program implemented at farmers markets in low-income neighborhoods, targeting families receiving US federal food assistance. Participants post-intervention reported significantly higher vegetable consumption and lower soda consumption. For more information on methods and outcomes, refer to the following study, which examined program effects on participants’ diet and associations between attendance, demographics, and dietary change.

“Healthy Foods, Healthy Families: combining incentives and exposure interventions at urban farmers markets to improve nutrition among recipients of US federal food assistance;” by April B. Bowling, Mikayla Moretti, Kayla Ringelheim, Alvin Tran, and Kirsten Davison; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4847109

Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs For The Win

Rhode Island maker brings home big titles for the beverage industry

Rhode Island’s only shrub maker, Anna Scott, is making waves internationally. In just the last few months Anna’s Kitchen Shrub has received several industry awards from Food & Beverage Magazine, the International SIP Awards and the PR%F Awards.

In March, the shrub maker won Food & Beverage Magazine’s “Best In Show” at the Nightclub and Bar Show, an event known for being a huge influencer for professionals in the bar, nightlife and hospitality industries. As one of the magazine’s favorite emerging brands, a four-page spread in the June issue boasts Anna’s Kitchen Shrub as “new, unique and just plain great.”

This June, among over 1,000 competitors, the brand attended the International Spirits Competition and won SIP Awards in seven different categories including taste, design and innovation. This internationally acclaimed consumer-driven blind taste-testing event is widely recognized in the spirits industry and known as the preeminent path for brands to reach their target consumers.

Just last week, Scott received news that all five flavors placed at the PR%F Awards as well. More than 30 spirit industry leaders and upwards of 500 spirits brands participated in the PR%F Awards during a two-day blind-tasting point-rating competition. With only five Century Medals being granted, Scott earned two of them with perfect scores. On top of that, Scott received two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. Earning more than ten awards within the past several months, Anna’s Kitchen Shrub is making everything old, new again.

Anna’s Kitchen Shrub launched out of Rhode Island’s Hope & Main food business incubator program in the spring of 2018. Scott’s take on this historic vinegar-based drink is fresh, healthy and appeals to cocktail enthusiasts and the sober-curious alike. Each flavor is 100% organic and is made with raw apple cider vinegar with the Mother, unlike many, if not all, competitor brands. In less than two years, Scott has carved out a substantial space in the cocktails and beverage realm, making certain that “shrub” becomes a familiar term again.

Anna’s Kitchen Shrub is made in Rhode Island. Available online as well as over 60 Northeast gourmet retailers, liquor stores, restaurants and bars. Visit www.annaskitchenshrub.com for more information.

July 2, 2019 0 comments

chefs & restaurants farms news

News Bites: Red Stripe Names GM / Farm Fresh RI Receives BlueAngel Grant / RI Hospitality Education Foundation Rhode Island ProStart® Competition

by David Dadekian May 9, 2019

written by David Dadekian

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

Red Stripe Restaurants Names Barbra Gremza General Manager

Cumberland Resident brings 20 Years of Hospitality Experience to East Greenwich Location

Red Stripe restaurants, located at 465 Angell Street in Providence and 455 Main Street in East Greenwich, are pleased to announce that Cumberland resident, Barbra Gremza has joined its East Greenwich location as general manager. In her new role, Barbra will assume the day-to-day operations of the bustling Main Street eatery and work alongside the culinary teams and management staff at sister restaurant in Providence.

Barbra brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to her new role, most notably serving more than 16 years with TGI Friday’s as General Manager at eight of the brand’s restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prior to joining Red Stripe, Barbra was General Manager of three Au Bon Pain locations in Rhode Island.

“We are thrilled to welcome Barbra to our team,” said Jim Brosseau, Director of Restaurant Operations, Encore Hospitality Group. “Her deep understanding of running successful hospitality operations and developing the skills of her team members are a true asset to our organization. We look forward to working with Barbra to further elevate the guest experience in East Greenwich.”

Barbra specializes in training and developing managers and team members at all levels and looks forward to this new opportunity. “I am excited to be with a brand and team with such great potential and I am looking forward to creating exceptional guest experiences for our friends in our community,” said Gremza.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island receives 2019 BlueAngel Community Health Grant

$22k Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island grant will help support Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program

Farm Fresh Rhode Island has received a 2019 BlueAngel Community Health Grant (BACHG) from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). The $22,000 grant will provide parents and children with resources to shop for and prepare healthy meals through the farmers market-based education program: Healthy Foods, Healthy Families.

Since the inception of the BlueAngel Community Health Grants in 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $3.8 million to local nonprofits, impacting 300,000 Rhode Islanders. The BACHG program is BCBSRI’s cornerstone grant program, supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health issues in Rhode Island. For the past five years, BACHG funding has focused on Rhode Island organizations promoting the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight for children and their families.

“Last summer, 380+ low-income families learned about nutrition and locally grown food options with us—a majority reporting the program led to an increase in their family’s overall fruit and veggie consumption,” said Onelissa Martinez, Nutrition Education Program Manager at Farm Fresh RI. “Thanks to this BlueAngel Community Health Grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI, we will be able to empower more Rhode Island families with the information and tools to make healthy choices and invest in their health and communities.”

Farm Fresh RI’s Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program delivers interactive food and nutrition workshops at farmers markets for families who receive federal food assistance from WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Provided in English and Spanish, the program empowers parents and children with the tools to shop for affordable, seasonal foods and prepare them in kid-friendly ways.

“Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis in the country and in our state. In fact, Rhode Island continues to rank among the top 15 states with the highest obesity rates in children. Childhood overweight and obesity results in dangerous health impacts and significant cost impacts, and we believe we can and must do more to stem this epidemic,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI. “Our support for organizations like Farm Fresh Rhode Island enables them to continue effectively addressing social and environmental factors that lead to overweight and obesity—particularly for low-income families in our state.”

According to Keck, BACHG programs underscore BCBSRI’s commitment to the state made at the company’s founding 80 years ago. “Our first 80 years were marked by ongoing efforts focused on improving the health of Rhode Islanders. Looking forward, we will reinforce and expand those efforts to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island. We cannot ignore the consequences of childhood obesity and its impact on public health in our state, including shortened life expectancy and billions of dollars of cost impact,” said Keck. “That’s why our continued partnerships with organizations combating obesity at the community level are so critical.”

In all, BCBSRI awarded $218,000 in BACHG funding for 2019. Funding is made available through the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Community Health Fund maintained at the Rhode Island Foundation.

RI Hospitality Education Foundation Hosts 8th Annual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary & Management Competition

William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School and East Providence Career & Technical Center to Represent Rhode Island in National Competition in Washington, D.C.

ProStart Culinary Arts Competition Winners from William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School: (From left to right): Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO of RIHA/RIHEF; Chef Instructor Santos Nieves; William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School students Ashley Fernandez, Alexia Guzman, Britney Fernandez, and Victoria Carron. Photo credit: Richard Kizirian.

The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), in collaboration with ProStart®, recently hosted the 8^thAnnual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary & Management Competition.

More than 40 area professionals judged 50 students who competed in three areas: the Culinary Arts Competition, including challenges in food safety and sanitation, knife skills, a three-course meal cook-off using only two burners, teamwork/cooperation, professionalism/appearance, and plate presentation; the Food Service Management Competition featuring the presentation of a restaurant concept and business plan including design boards, floor plans, marketing plans and menu design; and a Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition which saw students develop and present unique hotel concepts including event planning, marketing and interior design elements.

As part of the competition awards, seven different colleges and universities pledged $1 million in available scholarship money to be split up amongst the winning teams.

A culinary team from William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School won the Culinary Arts portion of the competition, a food service management team from East Providence Career & Technical Center won the Food Service Management portion of the competition, and a hospitality and tourism management team from CHARIHOTech won the Hospitality and Tourism Management portion of the competition. The winners of the Culinary Arts and Food Service Management portions of the competition will now represent Rhode Island at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® Invitational competition in Washington, D.C. May 8-10, 2019.

“I am so proud of all the hardworking students who dedicated months of practice and preparation for this event,” said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO of the RI Hospitality Association and the RI Hospitality Education Foundation. “It’s because of students like this that Rhode Island is nationally recognized for its outstanding culinary scene. I look forward to watching the students’ skills continue to progress and eventually become part of the skilled workforce we have here in Rhode Island.”

May 9, 2019 0 comments

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

News Bites: American Heart Association’s National Eating Healthy Day, Newport Restaurant Week 2014, Thirst Boston Showcases Providence Bartenders

by David Dadekian November 5, 2014

written by David Dadekian

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

American Heart Association serves up fruits and veggies on National Eating Healthy Day 11/5

National Eating Healthy Day is Wednesday, Nov. 5, and the American Heart Association wants people to listen the advice of generations of mothers: Eat your vegetables (and fruit).

Americans typically consume about half their recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The American Heart Association recommends eating eight or more fruit and vegetable servings every day. For an average adult consuming 2,000 calories daily, that means about 4 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day.

“The link between diet and heart disease has been recognized for more than 50 years. The research shows three easy diet changes that reduce cardiovascular risk: Replace saturated fat (found in whole-fat dairy foods and beef and pork fat), with polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fat (found in nuts, safflower, corn, olive and canola oils ), increase intake of omega-3-fats (found in fatty fish), and increase intake of dark fruits and vegetables, and whole grain,” said Dr. Karen Aspry, Cardiologist and Member of the American Heart Association’s Rhode Island Board of Directors. “Evidence suggests these diet changes can improve blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose, and cause favorable changes in blood vessel walls that can keep us from heart attacks and strokes.”

While heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death and disability for all Americans, more than 80 percent of risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable through behaviors like making better food choices, getting regular exercise, keeping a healthy weight and not smoking.

In Rhode Island and Southeastern, Massachusetts, the American Heart Association is celebrating National Eating Healthy Day by inviting companies across the region to host educational “Lunch and Learn” sessions and distribute this year’s “Holiday Healthy Eating Guide” with tips on eating healthier throughout the holiday season.

Participating local companies represent more than 5,680 employees at: BankFive, Banneker, Baycoast Bank, Beacon Mutual, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Cintas, Dassault Systemes, EA Dion, G Lopes, GTECH, Neighborhood Health Plan of RI, St Anne’s Credit Union, Raytheon and Taco Inc.

The American Heart Association is offering a free fruits and vegetable resource guide to help people incorporate more fruits and vegetables in their diet. For more information on National Eating Healthy Day, to download the free resource guide, or to find recipes and other nutrition information, visit www.heart.org/NationalEatingHealthyDay.

Newport Restaurant Week Returns This November

More than 50 restaurants throughout Newport and Bristol Counties to participate.

Newport Restaurant Week November 7-16, 2014

Gourmands and casual diners unite this November 7-16, 2014 during the 16th celebration of Newport Restaurant Week to savor three-course prix-fixe lunches for $16 and three-course prix-fixe dinners for $35.

The popular, bi-annual tradition throughout Newport and Bristol Counties inevitably invigorates the palates of frequent restaurant goers and occasional diners alike with dishes catering to the season’s harvest. This fall, more than 50 restaurants round out the robust roster including first-time participants Sardella’s Italian Restaurant and Caleb & Broad, both located in Newport; Portsmouth Publick House in Portsmouth and the newly opened Christian’s Wood Fired Grill in Bristol.

“Newport Restaurant Week falls during our second week of service, which is a perfect opportunity for the community to experience our menu,” says Christian Ferreira of Christian’s Wood Fired Grill. “Our wood fired grill is the focal point of the menu and sets us apart from the wide variety of exquisite cuisine in area.”

To get to know some local restaurants, chefs and food purveyors better, Discover Newport has introduced four new “Restaurant Stories” videos on DiscoverNewportRestaurantWeek.org. The culinary clips highlight the techniques, sources and tools our local talent counts on to craft the dishes that grace their Restaurant Week menus.

This year, Newport Restaurant Week culminates with newly revamped Taste of Newport benefiting Child & Family, the largest and most comprehensive social service provider in Newport. Marking its 30th anniversary, the event on Nov. 16 will offer guests two mouthwatering and diverse experiences: The Taste Experience, an extended cocktail party with tasting stations presented by some of the most talented chefs, restaurants, caterers, bakeries and confectionaries from across Newport County; and The Dine Experience, an elegant seated dining adventure with eight of the area’s acclaimed chefs pairing to produce a four-course meal paired with meticulously chosen wines from around the world.

Visit DiscoverNewportRestaurantWeek.org for updated participating restaurants and menus, and DiscoverNewport.org for more information about lodging packages. Visit our social networks for up-to-the-minute conversation about the event. We encourage users to include #NPTRW for Newport Restaurant Week-related posts, images and Tweets to engage with other diners, restaurateurs and chefs.

Thirst Boston Showcases Providence Bartenders

Ed. note: Saturday’s State Lines Pop-Up will feature bartenders from Providence’s Cook & Brown Public House, Aurora, The Eddy and The Grange. Sunday’s New England Craft Showcase will feature Rhode Island’s own Sons of Liberty Spirits Co.

Brandy Rand, co-founder of Thirst Boston, “State Lines is a Portland/Providence popup that features who we thought were four of the top cocktail bars in each city. We’ve asked them to recreate what they do in a little day bar for us, essentially a popup of their own bar, and they’ll be making the kind of cocktails that show what they do in their respective cities, but with one specific portoflio ingredient.”

Andrew Deitz, co-founder of Thirst Boston, “The New England Craft Showcase was designed to bring together the best craft distillers in New England – we have participants from CT, RI, VT, ME, MA. New England is revered as one of the top regions for craft distilling and brewing. Everyone across the country knows that the brands that come out of this area are exemplary.”

After a wildly successful, sold-out inaugural cocktail festival last year, Thirst Boston returns once again on November 7th-10th. Hosted by industry professionals and founders Brandy Rand, Andrew Deitz, and Maureen Hautaniemi, Thirst Boston will serve up three major parties, 24 seminars, and tastings over the course of four days where guests can join some of the biggest names in mixology from across the country, experience a variety of educational and fun forums, and celebrate cocktails during one all-out weekend extravaganza.

Select stand-out events include but are not limited to:

The Thing: Kick off Thirst Boston at the now-legendary 3rd annual “The Thing” gala. Held opening night, Friday, November 7th, at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, this black tie optional party will celebrate all things grande old Boston and feature incredible craft cocktails from some of the city’s best bartenders.

Portland-Providence Pop-Up: On Saturday, November 8th, bartenders from eight leading cocktail bars will be shaking up their best concoctions, showcasing what they’ve got up their sleeves back in their home cities of Providence, RI and Portland, ME. Held at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, guests will have the opportunity to meet and interact with great talent from nearby cities.

Roadhouse: This year, Thirst Boston introduces a brand new shindig for Saturday, November 8th. A raucous throwdown of Southern-style cocktails and cut-offs, BBQ and rockabilly, and more, this is sure to become a fan favorite.

New England Craft Showcase: On Sunday, November 9th, join the region’s top distillers and brewers for a three-hour tasting event at The Fairmont Copley Plaza. With 12 confirmed brands and more to come, guests can experience what’s being made right around the corner from their own backyards.

Blender Bender: The grand finale to this year’s Thirst Boston, the 2nd annual 1980s tiki party will take place at Chau Chow City in Chinatown on Sunday, November 9th. Twelve of the city’s top bartenders will battle it out for best blended beverage as voted on by guests.

Bartender Brunch: Join friends and industry professionals for one last hurrah. On Monday, November 10th, The Hawthorne will host a sendoff brunch for Thirst Boston’s participants and attendees alike.

This year, The Fairmont Copley Plaza will host a majority of Thirst Boston events and offer accommodations at a special attendee rate.

Additional information on seminars, special guests & appearances, and more will be available in the next month.

For more information about Thirst Boston, please visit http://www.thirstboston.com/, follow @ThirstBoston on Twitter, and become a Facebook fan https://www.facebook.com/ThirstBoston.

November 5, 2014 0 comments