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farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Chair 2 Launches Two New Flavors / New CCRI Environmental Degree Program / Granny Squibb’s Newest Flavor / Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI / Foolproof Brewing Company Joins Mission Beverage

by David Dadekian July 29, 2022

written by David Dadekian

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

Chair 2 Light Beer Launches 2 New Light Flavors

Chair 2 Light Wheat and Light IPA – New 99 Calorie Offerings from Sons of Liberty

Chair 2 Light Beer, a brand by Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co., is making waves with its two latest offerings – Chair 2 Light IPA and Chair 2 Light Wheat. The entire Chair 2 Light Beer line, including the light lager, is 4.3% abv, 99 calories per can, and available throughout Rhode Island.

The light IPA (55 IBUS) offers a bouquet of hop aromas followed by a bright and balanced flavor profile that gives IPA lovers what they’re looking for without weighing them down. The light wheat is brewed with orange peel to deliver a refreshing hit of citrus, but is careful not to be a fruit bomb, relying more on the beer itself to do the heavy lifting.

“We’re very excited to see these two new flavors in everyone’s coolers,” said Bryan Ricard, Chair 2’s Brand Manager. “They definitely fall in line with our simple vision of ‘light beer that tastes like beer’.”

Chair 2 Light Lager, the flagship beer, was named USA’s Best Light Lager at the World Beer Awards in 2021, shortly after its launch. “We’ve taken the same approach with the new flavors as we did with the lager. That’s to make clean, crushable, high-quality beers that aren’t over the top, just easy-drinking,” explained Wil Santiago, Chair 2’s Beerologist. Rhode Islanders are catching on production of Chair 2 has increased to meet demand.

All 3 beers are brewed and packaged at Isle Brewers Guild (IBG) in Pawtucket, RI. “It was important for us to keep this in Rhode Island,” President and Founder, Mike Reppucci, explained, “and Isle has been an excellent partner.” IBG works with many well-established brands such as Narragansett and Night Shift. To follow the latest on and find retailers for Chair 2 Light Beer, visit chair2.com. Or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/chair2beer and Instagram at @chair2beer.

New Associate degree program at CCRI in “Environment, Sustainability, and Management”

Innovative collaboration with Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association and Rhode Island Food Policy Council provides a clear path toward careers in RI’s growing land and sea industries

Environment, Sustainability and Management Associate Degree at CCRI, photo credit: RINLA

Rhode Island needs a workforce that can meet the current and future needs of the state’s flourishing land and sea businesses, which compose a sector that is quickly rising to the top of the state’s strongest economic drivers.

A new associate degree in Environment, Sustainability, and Management created by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is a first-of-its-kind program that will prepare students for careers in these industries – including the landscape, farm and food sectors – and arm them with the perspective they need to meet social, economic, and ecological challenges of the world and of business today.

The development of this associate degree program was supported by a grant from the Agriculture Workforce Development Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

“This new degree program is a perfect example of industry and policy leaders collaborating with higher education to design and implement an academic and career pathway that responds to labor market demands,” said Meghan Hughes, president of CCRI. “The green economy continues to show tremendous growth in Rhode Island, and CCRI, along with our partners at URI, RINLA, and RIFPC, is committed to providing high-quality, rigorous academic and experiential learning opportunities that will prepare Rhode Islanders for great careers right here in the Ocean State.”

This interdisciplinary program blends science and business; provides work-based learning opportunities for credit; includes courses in Business, Biology, Entrepreneurship, Oceanography, Geology, Economics, Chemistry, and Communications; and positions graduates to chart successful career paths and have important impacts on the social and environmental profiles of the companies for which they work. Graduates will have immediate career opportunities, and can also transfer seamlessly as juniors to the University of Rhode Island’s bachelor’s degree programs in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Plant Sciences, and other programs in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS).

“The new Environment, Sustainability, and Management degree will educate the next generation of professionals charged with stewarding, protecting, and responding to a changing environment and for producing food for our community,” said Rosemary A. Costigan, vice president for academic affairs at CCRI. “In response to industry need, a number of our college’s faculty created new curricula based in science and business such as Biology of Trees and Shrubs, Food from the Sea, and the Human Environmental Impacts and Ethical Business Practices capstone course.”

The Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA) and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) collaborated closely with CCRI and advisors from URI to inform the development of this exciting program of study at the intersection of environmental, social, and economic sustainability; agriculture, food, and ecological systems; business ethics; entrepreneurial thinking and processes; land and resource management methods; and impacts of climate change on ecologies, businesses, and industries.

Shannon Brawley, Executive Director of RINLA and Nessa Richman, Network Director of the RIFPC jointly stated, “This exciting new, interdisciplinary degree program will support the public, private, and nonprofit employers we serve by preparing people to enter these industries by ensuring they have relevant classroom experiences and work-based learning opportunities.”

Fall classes start August 31, 2022. Enrollment is now open. All Rhode Islanders who want the knowledge, skills, perspective and experiences to impact the social, economic, and ecological challenges of today’s world are encouraged to register. Additional information can be found on CCRI’s website: ccri.edu/pathways/paths/environment

Granny Squibb’s Announces New Organic Iced Tea Flavor, Partnership, and Expansion in Massachusetts Just in Time for National Iced Tea Month

Granny Squibb’s is releasing Porter’s Peach with a portion of the proceeds going Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund

Today, Granny Squibb’s Organic Iced Tea announced the release of its newest flavor, Porter’s Peach. Further solidifying their commitment to growth in New England with a portion of sales going to their newest philanthropic partner the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, and expansion into Roche Bros.

“Porter’s Peach is the first new flavor we’ve brought to market since before the pandemic. It was created from a beautiful story, which continues our passion for storytelling and philanthropy,” said Kelley McShane, Partner and Owner of Granny Squibb’s.

Porter’s Peach was the brainchild of a family friend, a twelve-year-old, named Porter from Aquidneck Island, R.I. In Spring 2020, in an effort to boost morale Porter sent a drawing of his idea for the “best Granny Squibb’s flavor, Porter’s Peach.” During the same year, Porter and his family faced multiple losses to cancer triggering Porter to raise $10,000 for cancer research and paving the way for Granny Squibb’s to work with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund to help continue Porter’s mission.

“The story of Porter’s Peach and the generosity of Granny Squibb’s company touches us as an organization,” said Alexa Woodward, VP of Corporate Partnerships at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “We know that we impact the lives of so many people right here in New England and beyond. It’s through the work of our supporters that we’re able to continue our mission of treating cancer and continuing to research and develop the latest in new treatments.”

Granny Squibb deeply believes in being part of the community, supporting the people around them. Having supported the Jimmy Fund for more than three years, the addition of Porter’s Peach provides the financial avenue to grow their philanthropy in Massachusetts and deepen partnerships as they grow into greater New England.

The announcement of Porter’s Peach and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute couldn’t be timelier as Granny Squibb’s expands into all twenty Roche Bros stores in Massachusetts. Now consumers can easily purchase Granny Squibb’s products and know they are supporting local causes.

“At Roche Bros we are committed to providing our shoppers with an array of local and organic products to choose from making the addition of Granny Squibb’s a perfect fit. We are happy to be expanding our partnership with a company that also focuses on providing the best customer experience,” said Tristen Kendall-Barros, Vice President of Marketing for Roche Bros.

Hope’s Harvest Joins Farm Fresh RI to Provide Hunger Relief Programming

Farm Fresh Rhode Island and Hope’s Harvest are proud to announce that as of June 2022, Hope’s Harvest is officially the home for all hunger relief programming at Farm Fresh RI.

Hunger in Rhode Island is a significant problem that has only increased in severity and scope in recent years. At the same time, local food producers in the state have seen increased demand, but also volatility in markets and challenges due to erratic weather patterns, shifts in purchasing at a national scale, and other national and global forces.

Farm Fresh RI, a nonprofit that’s been working to strengthen the local food system since 2004, has been a champion for local farmers/producers and an infrastructural driver of a re-localizing food system over the past 18 years. Hope’s Harvest, a relative newcomer, has filled an important niche in the RI food system by connecting farmers to hunger relief agencies, promoting food security and non-traditional market access to the emergency food system.

Hope’s Harvest has been an independent but fiscally sponsored program of Farm Fresh RI since 2018. This sponsorship enabled Hope’s Harvest to accept donations and grants under the Farm Fresh 501c3 nonprofit status. Farm Fresh mentored growth at Hope’s Harvest and provided infrastructure support, like trucks and cold storage, as well as a place to call home when the Hope’s Harvest team parked their trucks and came in from the field.

“As our program grew, it became apparent that combining Hope’s Harvest and Farm Fresh models and infrastructure would best leverage our assets and public/private partnerships,” explains Hope’s Harvest Founder and Director Eva Agudelo. “Together we can create targeted solutions for both food insecurity and increasingly volatile markets for farmers. We’re excited about all of the collaborations to come — delivering the highest quality of locally grown food to hunger relief agencies and alleviating food insecurity in Rhode Island.”

What does this change mean for Hope’s Harvest?
By joining Farm Fresh RI’s infrastructure, Hope’s Harvest is building capacity to deliver local gleaned produce to an additional 20 hunger relief agencies via Farm Fresh’s existing Market Mobile local food ordering service. The Hope’s Harvest team will also be administering the Senior Farmer Market Nutrition program and the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

What does it mean for Hope’s Harvest gleaning volunteers?
Out in the fields, the Hope’s Harvest team still aims to glean as much food this year as ever! They plan to harvest with even more local farms, and encourage the community to join them out in the fields this season. Learn more about opportunities to volunteer with Hope’s Harvest: www.farmfreshri.org/hopesharvest.

At a Glance: Hope’s Harvest for Hunger Relief at Farm Fresh RI
The Hope’s Harvest program at Farm Fresh RI will include:

GLEANING
— Recruiting and mobilizing volunteers to recover surplus food from farms for donation to hunger relief agencies.

DIRECT PURCHASING FOR HUNGER RELIEF
— Surplus Purchasing: Direct purchasing of surplus farm produce for distribution to hunger relief agencies and community partners.

— Contracts for Hunger Relief: Negotiating and administering contracts with growers to ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce for the emergency food system at competitive wholesale rates.

— Farm to Pantry via Market Mobile: A streamlined system and subsidized purchasing for community partners to order locally grown products for their guests.

SENIOR FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM
— Source and pack locally grown produce to meet the needs of older adults throughout RI in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management.

ADVOCACY AND PARTNERSHIPS
— Working with strategic partners in the nonprofit and government sectors to ensure ongoing support for these initiatives as a commitment to supporting public infrastructure for healthy food access.

Foolproof Brewing Company is Now Distributed by Mission Beverage

As of June 2022 Foolproof Brewing Company is now being distributed in Rhode Island by new distributors in the business, Mission Beverage. Mission beverage was started by Kyle Michaud and Nate Costa. After meeting during a fire department fundraising event, Kyle and Nate bonded over their passion for craft beer and began brainstorming ways to collaborate together in the beer industry. Thus began their mission toward starting a distribution company. Mission Beverage officially moved their first case of beer in February 2022. Mission looks to bring the same tenacity to the brands they wish to distribute as they did when starting their business. “We take pride in our partnerships to help grow the brands to get from one level to the next level up,” says Nate Costa.

Foolproof Brewing Company signed with Mission Beverage as their new distributors in Rhode Island in June 2022. Along with this agreement, Mission will also be distributing Foolproof’s sister brands under the Brewery Collective. This includes Shebeen Brewing Company, originally started in Connecticut and moved production to Rhode Island in February. Soon to follow will be the Brewery Collective’s newest Connecticut brand, Velvet Libations, which just opened on St. Patrick’s Day of this year. “We’re focused on distributing in Rhode Island right now and bringing in brands that aren’t in Rhode Island yet.”, says Kyle Michaud, and Velvet Libations will be no exception.

Want to see Foolproof or Shebeen Brewing Company products near you? Contact Mission Beverage and support Rhode Island locally. Email: info@missionbev.co To learn more about the Brewery Collective, visit www.brewerycollective.com. To learn more about Mission Beverage visit www.missionbev.co.

July 29, 2022 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

News Bites of New Hires: RI Food Policy Council Work Group Chairs, Julian’s Head Chef & Sous Chef, Red Stripe Executive Chef

by David Dadekian August 31, 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.

RHODE ISLAND FOOD POLICY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRS

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council is thrilled to announce the confirmation of new Work Group Chairs for the Council’s major focus areas: access, economy, environment, health, and production. This group brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from all facets of the food system, and will play an integral role in the development and implementation of Council goals.

Access: Georgina Sarpong is the Farmers Market Program Manager for Farm Fresh Rhode Island. She has experience in food access advocacy and is also an experienced chef. We are fortunate to have her expertise and commitment to improving healthy food access throughout Rhode Island.

Economy: Jeffrey Powell is the Food Service Director at Chariho Regional School District. He has worked in nearly all aspects of the food business, including experience as a chef, restaurant owner, contract dining manager, and in food brokerage and distribution. He recently launched the Ocean State Smoked Fish Company operating out of Rhode Island’s first culinary incubator, Hope & Main in Warren, RI. We are grateful to have Jeffrey’s background and experience in the food economic sector.

Environment: Antonia Bryson practiced law for 30 years, specializing in environmental and land use law. Her vast experience in this field includes having served as a Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Chair of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board, and Chief of the Environmental Division of the New York City Law Department. She founded the Urban Environmental Law Center, working as an advocate for community groups and nonprofits. Antonia’s experience in the environmental field is an incredible resource, and we are excited to have her join the team.

Health: Annajane Yolken is the Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation Manager at Thundermist Health Center. Her interest is at the intersection of food and health utilizing an equity lens. She has experience from Miriam Hospital and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. Annajane brings a deep understanding of the ties between food and health, and we are happy she will be sharing her insight with us.

Production: Jennifer Bristol serves as Executive Director of Mount Hope Farm, and the Program Management and Operations Director for The Institute for Mindful Leadership. She brings years of experience in the nonprofit world, including, most recently, senior leadership for The Nature Conservancy. Her unique background in both nonprofit leadership and executive management of a local farm are an asset, and we are pleased to have her working with us.

“The Council’s Work Groups are where the rubber of food systems work meets the road of Rhode Island reality,” said Kenneth Payne, Chair of the RIFPC. “These outstanding work group chairs will give us traction.”

We are excited to welcome this incoming group and look forward to working together toward making the Rhode Island food system a leader in the nation.

Julian’s names new Head Chef

as well as new Sous Chef and launches new Dinner Menu

Left: Ryan Poutre, Head Chef / Right: Derek Wood, Sous Chef

This week Ryan Poutre was named the Head Chef of Julian’s Restaurant. Ryan, a Providence native, graduated from Johnson and Wales in 2011. After school he began to cut his teeth in Providence at various restaurants, gaining the prestigious position of Lead Line Cook at Waterman Grille and later moving on to Siena where he became Sous Chef.

Three months ago Ryan joined our team, looking to expand his horizons. His work ethic and passion for food quickly gained him the position of Sous Chef and with in a short time Head Chef. Once promoted, Ryan urged for Lead Line Cook Derek Wood to be promoted to Sous Chef.

Derek Wood has been with Julian’s for two years. He started as a young padawan with limited food experience and we have had the honor of watching him devour food knowledge and honing his skills.

Ryan & Derek have become fast friends and with the support of their kitchen team have released a new dinner menu unveiling dishes like:

Miso Duck with Avocado-Wasabi Puree, Sushi Rice, Smoked Duck, Charred Scallion Salad, Tamari Caramel

Seared Scallops with Heirloom Bean Salad, Cremem Fraiche, Tomato Jam, Bitter Greens

BBQ Beets with Gingered Potato Salad, Preserved Mustard Greens, North Carolina BBQ Sauce, & Crispy Carrots

Sugar Cured Rib-Eye with Sweet Corn Pudding, Fingerling Potatoes, Charred Tomato, & Arugula Pesto

Squash Risotto with Braised Calabaza Squash, Pepitas, Local Mushrooms, Coconut Milk

Stay tuned for new news in the very near future like: Julian’s Omnibus at Kennedy Plaza, Pizza J opening, H, Julian’s & Allagash Beer Dinner at the Steel Yard with FIRE.

JEREMY EWING-CHOW NAMED EXECUTIVE CHEF OF RED STRIPE RESTAURANTS

Jeremy Ewing-Chow

Encore Hospitality Group, which owns and operates the Mill’s Tavern and Red Stripe restaurants, announces that Jeremy Ewing-Chow has been promoted to executive chef of the two Red Stripe locations in Providence and East Greenwich.

Mr. Ewing-Chow, who has over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry, joined Red Stripe as a chef at the East Greenwich location last fall. In his capacity as executive chef, he is responsible for the supervision and coordination of all culinary activities at both Red Stripe restaurants, including management and training of kitchen staff, planning and producing menus, selecting and developing recipes, pricing and cost accounting, and ensuring food quality and consistency.

Ewing-Chow traces his passion for culinary arts to his Chino-Guyanese roots, where family meals were a blend of cross-cultural foods and flavors. This diversity, coupled with a love of food and a yearning to travel, influenced his decision to become a chef, and continues to inspire his cooking techniques and recipe development. “To understand a cuisine, I try to understand its culture. There is no better teacher than travel,” he says.

A 1998 graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Ewing-Chow was previously employed at the Gatehouse Restaurant (now the Waterman Grille) in Providence and at the Cheeky Monkey Café in Newport, where he was chef de cuisine for seven years. Prior to his employment with Red Stripe, he worked as chef de cuisine/executive chef at Russell Morin Fine Catering for seven years.

Of his new role, Ewing-Chow says, “I look forward to working together with the talented staff of Red Stripe restaurants. Our team shares a commitment to quality, consistency, excellence and exceeding our guests’ expectations.”

“Between the expanded Providence Red Stripe and our second location in East Greenwich, we are welcoming over 4,000 guests into our restaurants each week for brunch, lunch and dinner,” states Paul Conforti, managing partner of Encore Hospitality Group. “Red Stripe has been serving refined comfort food at an affordable price point for over 10 years. With his extensive training and global culinary view, we are confident Jeremy will keep our food innovative and exciting while also maintaining the consistent quality our guests rely on. We’re pleased to have him on the Encore team.”

Ewing-Chow resides in East Greenwich.

August 31, 2015 0 comment

farms news

R.I. DEM News Release: DEM Agriculture Chief Ayars receives Award of Merit from RINLA

by David Dadekian September 11, 2017

written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: January 23, 2013

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM AGRICULTURE CHIEF KEN AYARS RECEIVES MERIT AWARD FROM RI NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

PROVIDENCE – Ken Ayars, chief of the Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture, received the Award of Merit from the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association (RINLA) at the group’s annual trade show and seminar held on January 17th at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences.

RINLA is the leading horticultural, agricultural and landscape business association in the state. Its members include nurseries, landscape contractors, arborists, irrigation specialists, masons, garden centers, turf farms, landscape architects, landscape designers, vegetable growers, cut flower growers, suppliers and allied businesses. The association has a long history of partnering with URI in education, training and research that supports the green industries in Rhode Island.

“Ken Ayars is woven into the fabric of our RINLA community – we consider him to be one of our own,” said RINLA Executive Director Shannon Brawley. “Ken has made himself available to us for collaboration not only in addressing policy issues but also in addressing practical, on-the-ground solutions for green related industry issues and needs.”

The Award of Merit was presented to Ayars by RINLA board member Jean Cotta, who is the co-owner of Portsmouth Nursery and president of the RI Nursery and Landscape Institute. “Ken continues to be this state’s strongest advocate for agriculture and the green industry. He works tirelessly to ensure a future that recognizes agriculture and horticulture as important, vibrant small businesses that are necessary components to a sustainable economy, a better quality of life, and a locally-based food system in Rhode Island,” said Cotta. “Ken is patient, unbiased, dedicated and sincere, and it is both an honor and a privilege to present him with this year’s Award of Merit.”

A resident of Exeter, Ayars has worked in DEM’s Division of Agriculture since 1987 and has served as division chief since 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Resource Technology, and a Master of Science degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Rhode Island.

“I am deeply appreciative of receiving the 2013 Award of Merit by the RI Nursery and Landscape Association,” he said. “RINLA is a progressive organization and the industry it represents has an important role in the state’s economy, quality of life and environment, as evidenced in part by the recent green industry economic impact study funded by DEM and conducted by URI. DEM supports the state’s natural resource-based industries in a plethora of ways, all of which contribute to Governor Chafee’s and Direct Coit’s economic and environmental priorities to move Rhode Island forward.”

“Ken Ayars is the kind of person who demonstrates the value and impact of public service,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “His efforts to promote and foster the growth of agriculture in Rhode Island can be seen across the state, from the explosion of farmers’ markets to the promotion of local foods in our outstanding restaurants. Seven days a week, Ken Ayars is working for the benefit of farmers and farm businesses in Rhode Island. He makes me proud to be the Director of DEM!”

The 2,500 green industry businesses in Rhode Island sustain 12,300 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion annually to our state’s economy. Farming is an integral part of the state’s economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island’s open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh and local produce, nursery stock, sod and Rhode Island’s own Rhody Fresh milk, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries. DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk and beef, farmers’ markets, and buy local and agri-tourism programs.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives also issued a Citation to Ayars last week in recognition for the RINLA merit award and for providing outstanding service to the state’s horticultural, agricultural and landscape communities.

September 11, 2017 0 comment

news

R.I. DEM News Releases: DEM Praises Voters for Approving Environmental Bonds & Rhody Fresh to Debut Newest Product at Event

by David Dadekian November 12, 2012

written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: November 7, 2012
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM PRAISES RHODE ISLAND VOTERS FOR APPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL BONDS TO PRESERVE WATER QUALITY, OPEN SPACE, FARMLAND, AND BOOST RECREATION DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE

PROVIDENCE – Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit today praised Rhode Island voters for their commitment to investing in clean water, green space and Narragansett Bay restoration by approving the two environmental bond issues on this year’s statewide ballot.

“By overwhelmingly supporting Questions 5 and 6, Rhode Islanders in every city and town across our beautiful state are helping to promote healthier communities and a healthier economy,” said Director Coit. “Thank you, Rhode Islanders, for saying YES for clean water. YES for productive farmland. YES for wild places. YES for parks where kids can play. YES for healthy rivers and bays. The Rhode Island people have given a resounding YES to investing in, restoring and caring for our environment!”

The two ballot questions were approved by 70 percent of Rhode Island voters and provide much-needed funding for clean water investments in addition to green space preservation and recreation development. Question 5 provides $20 million to the RI Clean Water Finance Agency for wastewater and drinking water system upgrades across the state that will help ensure cleaner beaches and bays, more productive fisheries, and healthier communities. Construction of drinking water infrastructure projects and wastewater treatment plant upgrades will put people to work as well as bring clean water to our homes and preserve our rivers and bays.

Question 6 provides $20 million to DEM for farmland, local recreation and open space grants, parks, state open space acquisition, and restoration of Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Over the years, DEM’s state open space, farmland and recreational development grant programs have resulted in the protection of hundreds of worthwhile projects – places used by residents and tourists alike for outdoor recreation – and contributed to the economic health of the state. Tourism is a $5.2 billion industry, making it the fourth largest economic engine for Rhode Island and a key job generator, which supports more than 41,000 jobs in the state.

According to Director Coit, Rhode Island’s natural resources continue to be powerful drivers for economic development and tourism and sources of great pride for its residents. These natural assets play a big role in the state’s tourist economy by providing opportunities for the public to camp, fish, hunt, hike, and enjoy the great outdoors, and at the same time bring revenue to the local economy. Residents and tourists spend over $378 million annually in Rhode Island on trip and equipment-related expenditures for fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching activities, according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2006).

Rhode Island’s farms are important small businesses that contribute to the health of our economy, Director Coit pointed out. Agriculture provides numerous benefits to RI’s economy, quality of life, open space, and access to local foods and horticultural products. In fact, as a recent URI study pointed out, the 2,500 green industry businesses in RI sustain 12,300 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion annually to the state’s economy.

Director Coit praised the coalition of conservation organizations and volunteers that worked to inform and educate the public about the importance of the bonds. They include The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of RI, Save The Bay, Grow Smart Rhode Island, RI Building Trades, Utility Contractors Association of RI, RI Saltwater Anglers Association, RI Shellfishermen’s Association, RI Land Trust Council and the many local land trusts that supported passage of Questions 5 and 6. “DEM will work vigorously to insure that Rhode Islanders get the best return on this investment in natural resource protection by continuing and strengthening our collaboration with organizations and agencies across the state,” she added.

“By voting YES for the environmental bonds, Rhode Islanders have given us the green light to continue to preserve and protect our state’s unparalleled natural beauty and water resources for generations to come,” Director Coit said.

For Release: November 9, 2012
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

RHODY FRESH TO UNVEIL NEWEST PRODUCT – BUTTERKASE CHEESE – WITH NARRAGANSETT CREAMERY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture will join representatives from Rhody Fresh Milk and Narragansett Creamery in Providence to unveil a new variety of artisan cheese – Rhody Fresh’s newest product – on Tuesday, November 13. Butterkase, a hand-crafted artisan German-style soft cheese is made in Providence at Providence Specialty Products, using milk from Rhody Fresh dairy farms.

The Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative, which produces Rhody Fresh Milk, was formed in 2004 by a group of five dairy farmers who believed the Rhode Island community was thirsty for locally-produced, fresh milk. Today, Rhode Fresh Milk has grown to include nine dairy farms throughout the state and is sold at retail stores, colleges, and other locations throughout the state. Rhody Fresh Milk is also now used to make the new, delicious varieties of local artisan cheese and butter.

Narragansett Creamery has been handcrafting award-winning fresh and aged cheeses in Providence since 2007, when Louella Hill, a local food advocate, joined forces with Mark Federico, already a cheese maker and owner of Providence Specialty Products, to craft a line of artisan cheeses and yogurt. In just five years their cheeses have garnered a dedicated following in Rhode Island and beyond, and are sought after by professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Participants in Tuesday’s event will include DEM Director Janet Coit; Ann Gooding, communications director for the Providence Department of Planning and Development; Louis Escobar of Escobar Highland Farm in Portsmouth and winner of the 2012 Green Pastures Award, who will speak on behalf of Rhody Fresh; and Mark Federico of Providence Specialty Cheese.

November 12, 2012 0 comment

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