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RI DEM News Release: DEM Announces Availability Of Local Agriculture And Seafood Act Grants To Strengthen Local Food System

by David Dadekian December 22, 2014
written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management
For Release: November 19, 2014
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM Announces Availability Of Local Agriculture And Seafood Act Grants To Strengthen Local Food System

The Department of Environmental Management is accepting applications for the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grants program. The grants will assist small or beginning farmers market and promote the sale of Rhode Island grown agricultural products and local seafood.

Non-profit entities, along with small or beginning farmers are eligible to apply for the grants. The grants program is aimed at increasing the economic competitiveness of Rhode Island-grown agricultural products and local seafood.

“Rhode Islanders are eager to grow, eat and promote local food, and this grant program supports the growth of our local food sector to meet the growing demand of consumers,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “This initiative is one of many efforts taken by DEM to support local agriculture and our state’s food economy.”

This grants program is made possible by $100,000 in state funding that Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the General Assembly included in the DEM budget, and an additional $130,000 in matching funds from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. This unique and unprecedented public-private partnership will provide grants intended to directly benefit and strengthen the local food system in RI.

Grant awards will be capped at $20,000 with no direct match required. Funding will be provided up front and may be used for projects of up to two years in duration. In addition to providing grants for projects or programs, the LASA Grants Program may also provide capital grants to small or beginning Rhode Island farmers to support the growth and sustainability of Rhode Island’s farming and aquaculture industries.

Priority will be given to capital projects from small or beginning farmers, or projects that directly benefit small or beginning farmers; projects that foster new collaborations between producers, fishermen/women, other Rhode Island food enterprises and organizations; and projects supporting new products or new sales channels that have clearly defined markets.
Any Rhode Island based non-profit organization, farmer, fisherman/woman, or producer group is eligible to apply. Only small and/or beginning farmers, or producer groups of small or beginning farmers, are eligible to apply for capital grants. The funds cannot be used for non-project related travel, scholarships, general operating funds, on-going capital campaigns, political or policy advocacy campaigns, or conference/workshop attendance fees.

Technical Assistance Sessions Planned in January

Three assistance sessions on the LASA Grant Program application have been planned in January. The first session will be held on Saturday, January 24, from 4-5 pm at the Kingston Free Library – Potter Hall (2605 Kingstown Road, Kingston). The second session will take place on Wednesday, January 28, from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Knight Memorial Library auditorium (275 Elmwood Ave., Providence). The last session will take place on Thursday, January 29 from 6-7 pm at Hope & Main located at 691 Main Street in Warren.

For additional information or questions, please visit the LASA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on the RI Food Policy Council website. Additional questions may be emailed to: [email protected]. All questions submitted and responses provided will be posted publicly to the LASA FAQ webpage.

A downloadable application is available on DEM/Agriculture website at www.rigrown.ri.gov by clicking on “Grant Opportunities” on the left side of the homepage. For grant-related questions, contact Ken Ayars, chief of DEM’s Division of Agriculture at 222-2781, ext. 4500.

Applications must be received via email no later than 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 and sent to [email protected] in word format. Applications may also be mailed or hand-delivered to DEM’s Division of Agriculture, Room 370, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 by 4 p.m. on February 17 to be considered.

Grant proposals will be reviewed by the LASA Grants Program Advisory Committee, which will make funding recommendations to the Department. Applicants will be notified of award decisions by May 15. The Committee was established to advise and assist the Department in matters related to the Local Agriculture and Seafood Small Grants and Technical Assistance Program and to facilitate the coordination of the Program with outside resources. Regulations governing the program are posted online on DEM’s website at www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/regs/agric/lasa13.pdf.

December 22, 2014 0 comment
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News Bites: Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen, The Pizza Gourmet, Papa Razzi

by David Dadekian September 1, 2014
written by David Dadekian
Grand Opening at the Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen

Grand Opening at the Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen

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

Fishermen in Newport Celebrate Grand Opening of Lobster Shack Kitchen at State Pier Nine in Newport

New Waterfront Eatery on the State Pier Offers Steamed Lobster Dinners, Fresh Lobster Rolls, Lobsterman’s Bisque and More Made from Lobsters Landed Right in Newport at Pier Nine on Long Wharf

The Department of Environmental Management, in partnership with the Fishermen in Newport, hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event today at State Pier Nine in Newport for the new Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen.

The Kitchen is an outgrowth of the popular Newport Lobster Shack Cooperative at the state pier on Long Wharf, where the Fishermen in Newport have been selling their catch – lobsters, crabs and conch – directly to the public since 2010. Now, with the new kitchen facility, the public has an opportunity to purchase a variety of freshly cooked items made directly from lobsters landed at Pier Nine. Visitors to Newport can now enjoy an affordable, local seafood meal ‘picnic-style’ under the shade pavilion on Newport’s working waterfront.

According to DEM Director Janet Coit, the Newport Lobster Shack Cooperative is a powerful model for the survival of local fisheries. By selling their catch directly to the public, the fishermen can earn better value for their product, while ensuring that visitors have a stellar Rhode Island seafood experience.

“I am pleased that economic and environmental sustainability were addressed with this innovative idea to support Rhode Island’s hard working fishermen,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “I thank Director Coit and her staff for their work to support our environment and economy.”

DEM Director Coit noted that this collaborative initiative with the Fishermen in Newport is one of DEM’s efforts to add economic value to the Rhode Island fishing industry. “All of the Kitchen’s menu items including fresh steamed lobster, lobster rolls, lobster bites, lobster cakes, and hand-picked local lobster meat come straight from the lobsters plucked by fishermen in local waters and landed right here at State Pier Nine. You can’t get any fresher than that!”

Lobster typically ranks as Rhode Island’s second most valuable commercial fishery, behind squid. Lobster landings in Rhode Island (including dockside sales) in 2013 totaled 2.1 million pounds for a value of $9.7 million. Approximately 645,000 pounds were harvested by Newport fishermen for a value of $3.1 million. As Rhode Island-landed lobster are processed and move into the wholesale and retail markets, the total value of the fishery increases substantially – likely approaching $28 million – making it a crucial part of the state’s economy. Rhode Island has approximately 250 lobster fishermen, with 45 landing lobster in Newport.

“I want to congratulate the Newport Fishermen’s Cooperative and all the fishermen here at State Pier Nine for coming together to make the Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen a success. This endeavor is really their vision supported by their investment of time, hard work, funding, and resources. I hope it will be a boon to their businesses and that continues to draw even more people to the Newport waterfront to enjoy some locally caught, fresh off-the-boat-fresh lobster and seafood,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who has worked with Rhode Island lobstermen over the years to secure federal funding for lobster gear exchanges and an ongoing lobster data collection project led by the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. Reed has also been a champion of the “eat local” and tide-to-table movement in Rhode Island and led efforts at the federal level to help local growers, fishermen, and farmers market and sell their products.

Today, Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will be providing another $190,000 in federal funding for URI, in cooperation with the Rhode Island Lobsterman’s Association and others, to design and test new types of lobster and crab gear.

House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said, “I have focused my energy since becoming Speaker earlier this year on improving our state’s economy. The fishing industry is a very important industry, and I am proud to support efforts such as this one to promote our hard-working fishermen and women.”

President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed said, “This is a creative partnership that helps keep jobs in Rhode Island. The Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen supports an important industry, enabling fishermen to market locally harvested and locally prepared seafood direct to consumers. It wouldn’t have been possible without Director Janet Coit, and the Senate appreciates her commitment to working with the state’s fishermen to help maintain this vital industry.”

“I visit the fishing pier regularly and I am very excited to see this new facility being opened that will be so helpful to our local fishermen,” noted Representative Peter Martin of Newport. “As a former commissioner on the Atlantic States Fisheries Commission, I truly value the importance of Rhode Island’s fishing industry.”

Representative Deborah Ruggiero of Jamestown added, “The fishing industry is so important to our state’s economy and I am thrilled about the opening of the Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen. I buy lobsters year-round at the pier and it’s exciting to see the expansion from retail sales to a restaurant. I encourage everyone in our state to buy local and eat fresh!”
In addition to the Lobster Shack and Lobster Shack Kitchen, Pier Nine is the site of a farmers’ market that opened in collaboration between DEM and the Pier Nine fishermen in 2011. Located at the edge of Newport Harbor, the market is open Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. through October.

The family-friendly Newport Lobster Shack Kitchen is open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is offering several grand opening specials through Labor Day.

 


The Pizza Gourmet Kicks Off Season at Fall Venues

Wood Grilled Pizza Stars At Sports Stadiums and Events Nationwide

From Rhode Island across the nation, The Pizza Gourmet is adding to football fans’ enjoyment this new season. The Pizza Gourmet real wood grilled pizza is being served from pregame to the final gun at pro football venues including Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The specialty pizza made only from hand-stretched dough grilled at 1800 degrees over real oak and maple wood is served to VIP guests at games as well as in the clubhouse.

Baseball fans enjoy The Pizza Gourmet as well at the home of Cleveland’s big league club, Progressive Field.
And this fall and winter, hometown fans will have the advantage at the University of Rhode Island where a Pizza Gourmet-themed concession stand will open in the Ryan Center. URI’s athletic department and fraternity/sorority foodservice is featuring the real wood-grilled pizza as well.

The Pizza Gourmet and The Catering Gourmet will unveil their brand new food truck, The G Truck, at the Peace & Providence Festival September 6th at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence. The G Truck will be at select events throughout New England serving The Pizza Gourmet’s original wood-grilled pizzas and a full menu of food that can only be described as casual and fun. At the Festival, the Catering Gourmet will be located in eight food tents and will be featuring BBQ, doughboys, sandwiches such as sausage and peppers, wraps, ice cream and house made potato chips and fries.

At this year’s Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival, the Pizza Gourmet will be joining the scores of celebrity chefs and winemakers who come to this world-class tasting and education weekend. The Pizza Gourmet’s wood-grilled pizza will be served at the Grand Tasting at Marble House September 20th and 21st.

 


Weekly Specials at Papa Razzi

Mangia Monday (Every Monday, All Day 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

  • All entrées are $15.99 all day on Mondays
  • Add an appetizer, pizza or antipasto or salad for only $7.99
  • Add a glass of our house red or white wine for only $5.99
  • *Purchase of entrée required to receive special pricing on appetizers & wine

Brunch & Bubbly (Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) (*Also on Monday Holidays at the same time)

  • Join us all weekend long and Monday holidays for our classic Papa Razzi brunch offerings.
  • With purchase of a brunch entrée, your first drink is on us, with your choice of a Bellini or Mimosa.

Spaghetti Notte (Every Wednesday, All day 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

  • Join us Wednesday for your choice of four signature pastas, soup, salad or pizza for $19.99
  • With a bottle of red or white wine $29.99
  • Seasonal promotions cannot be combined with any other offers
September 1, 2014 0 comment
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News Bites: RI Hospitality Culinary Competition, Rhode Island Open Space Grants, Ocean State Job Lot Food Donation

by David Dadekian March 25, 2014
written by David Dadekian
William M. Davies Career & Technical High School Culinary Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Maria Jacobo, Cesia Lapop, Osiris Hernandez, Elise Calhoun, and Reymy Pena; Chef Peter Fangiullo and Chef Santos Nieves, Culinary Teachers, Davies Career & Tech

William M. Davies Career & Technical High School Culinary Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Maria Jacobo, Cesia Lapop, Osiris Hernandez, Elise Calhoun, and Reymy Pena; Chef Peter Fangiullo and Chef Santos Nieves, Culinary Teachers, Davies Career & Tech

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

RI Hospitality Education Foundation Hosts 3rd Annual Rhode Island ProStart® Culinary Competition

Local Students Competed for $324,000 in Scholarship Money and the Chance to Represent Rhode Island in the National Competition in Minneapolis

The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), in collaboration with ProStart® and US Foods recently hosted the 3rd Annual Rhode Island ProStart® Culinary Competition.  Four students from William M. Davies Career & Technical High School won the Culinary Arts portion of the competition and four students from Exeter Job Corps Academy won the Foodservice Management portion of the competition. The students not only won $324,000 in scholarship money divided amongst the teams, but they will also be representing Rhode Island at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® Invitational competition in Minneapolis this May.

Exeter Job Corps Academy Foodservice Management Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Destiny Tolentino, Bianca Rivera, Samantha Miranda, and Shirnica Hilaire; Chef Mark Bennison, Culinary Teacher, Exeter Job Corps Academy

Exeter Job Corps Academy Foodservice Management Team, from left to right order: Heather Singleton, Sr. VP, RIHEF; Jesse James, US Foods; Students: Destiny Tolentino, Bianca Rivera, Samantha Miranda, and Shirnica Hilaire; Chef Mark Bennison, Culinary Teacher, Exeter Job Corps Academy

“I am extremely proud of all the students who dedicated months to practice and preparation for this event,” said Dale Venturini, President and CEO of the RI Hospitality Association. “As the future of the hospitality industry, 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.”

The competition was comprised of more than 30 students from across Rhode Island who are enrolled in ProStart®, a two-year hospitality career-building program designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The $324,000 scholarship money was provided by Johnson & Wales University, Lincoln Culinary Institute, New England Culinary Institute, The Art Institute, and Sullivan University. At the national competition, the winning teams will compete for nearly $1.4 million dollars in scholarship money.

There were two separate events that students could participate in. Culinary teams competed in a wide array of culinary challenges including: safe food transportation, knife skills, a cook-off by preparing a three-course meal (using only two burners), teamwork/cooperation, professionalism/appearance, plate presentation, and more.

Foodservice Management teams presented a restaurant concept idea they created along with their business plan, which included design boards, floor plans, marketing plans, and menu design. All teams were judged by locally and nationally recognized hospitality and food professionals.


DEM Announces Availability of Up to $5 Million in Open Space Grants for Land Preservation Projects

The Department of Environmental Management is now accepting applications from municipalities, land trusts, and non-profit land conservation organizations for Rhode Island Local Open Space Matching Grants. A total of up to $5 million is available during this round of the grant program.

“Through these grants, we will continue to help preserve and protect precious open space and farmland, as well as support one of our state’s economic drivers – tourism,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said.  “Rhode Island is fortunate to enjoy unparalleled natural beauty.  By having funds available for our cities and towns, land trusts and conservation organizations, we can continue to safeguard these assets, which strengthen our economy, future and environment.”

DEM Director Janet Coit announced the grant round at the Land and Water Conservation Summit held Saturday at the URI Coastal Institute.  Director Coit praised the more than 300 board members, volunteers and staff from land trusts, watershed councils, and conservation commissions who attended the event for their dedication to land and watershed conservation, saying that their combined efforts are what make Rhode Island great – and provide hope and a legacy.

“It’s the power of local communities working with DEM to preserve the special places that mean so much — places where folks can go to get outdoors, unwind, and relax,” Director Coit said.  “These bonds are funds that drive progress and allow municipalities and conservation groups to keep a pipeline of projects moving forward – projects that ensure we have productive farmland, healthy forests, and places to play and enjoy nature.”

The grants will provide up to 50 percent of funding, up to a maximum of $400,000, to preserve open space lands that possess significant natural, ecological, agricultural or scenic values, by direct purchase or conservation easements.  Special consideration will be given to projects that provide linkages between or expansion of existing preserved lands.  In addition to the grants, DEM has funds available in its no-interest loan program to assist in the funding of open space projects.  Funding for this grant round comes from the 2008 and 2012 Open Space Bond Authorizations, overwhelmingly approved by Rhode Island voters.

DEM will also provide 50 percent of overhead funds within set parameters to successful projects for appraisal, title, and survey services, provided the services are competitively bid with appropriate documentation. Funding for overhead costs would be in addition to grant awards, and would provide another source of financial assistance for land trusts and municipalities to acquire or protect valuable open space.

Over the years these grant programs have not only resulted in the protection of hundreds of worthwhile projects – places used by residents and tourists alike for outdoor recreation – but have also contributed to the economic health of the state.  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.  This successful grant program has provided funding for the preservation of over 10,000 acres of land across the state since its inception in 1985.  DEM has worked with partners to complete 165 easement transactions with land trusts and local communities to date, furthering the mission of preserving Rhode Island’s precious resources and increasing the public’s access and enjoyment of our natural lands.

Recent projects completed from the state’s 2011 funding round include the protection of a 175-acre parcel in Coventry along the Coventry Greenway; assisting the Town of North Smithfield in acquiring a 40-acre parcel adjacent to Booth Pond; and preserving the development rights on the Kee Farm on the Kickemuit River in Warren.  “As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Green Acres Act this May, we can see visual reminders across Rhode Island of how partnerships have been necessary and successful to conservation,” Director Coit noted.

Noting that the grant funds would help protect and preserve Rhode Island’s open spaces and natural heritage, Director Coit emphasized the importance of Governor Chafee’s proposed $75 million Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities bond for the 2014 ballot.  “Rhode Island has a proud history of supporting investment in our extraordinary natural assets. Clean Water and Open Space bonds are widely supported in Rhode Island – in our urban centers, our small town main streets, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas – because they keep our local character in-tact, and ensure continued economic investment and activity throughout the state,” she said.

Grant applications will be accepted through June 6 at 4 p.m. They will be reviewed and ranked by the Natural Heritage Preservation Advisory Committee with final awards to be made by the State Natural Heritage Preservation Commission.  The Commission expects to announce the grant awards in September 2014.

Grant applications, specific rules governing the grant program, and additional information is available from Lisa Primiano, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Planning and Development, at 222-2776 ext. 4307, or via email at [email protected].  Information and downloadable applications are also available on DEM’s website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on “Topics,” then “Grants,” then “Open Space Grants.”


Ocean State Job Lot Makes Record $1.4 Million Food Donation

Company partners with Polar Beverages, Bank of America, Bob’s Red Mill and Providence Journal Charitable Foundation to send 78 tractor trailer loads of food to area Food Banks in 2014; Program kicks off with 17-truck convoy on March 25th

Ocean State Job Lot, a 111-store discount retail chain headquartered in North Kingstown, R.I., announces its 2014 “Three Square Meals” hunger relief program to alleviate the food crisis throughout the Northeast U.S.

The program is expected to distribute 78 tractor trailer loads of food throughout the year to 13 food banks and pantries across six New England states and New York, including:  Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Providence, RI), Connecticut Food Bank (East Haven, CT), Foodshare (Bloomfield, CT), New Hampshire Food Bank (Manchester, NH), Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (Cornwall on Hudson, NY), Worcester County Food Bank (Shrewsbury, MA), Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Hatfield, MA), Good Shepherd Food Bank (Auburn, ME), Vermont Foodbank (Barre, VT), Boston Medical Center Food Pantry (Boston, MA), Greater Boston Food Bank, Long Island Cares (Hauppage, NY), and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (Latham, NY). This marks the largest single food donation of its kind by a private company in New England.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 9:30 a.m., the first delivery of food will kick-off via convoy of 15 tractor trailer trucks loaded with 600,000 lbs of nutritious shelf-stable food. The public is invited to cheer on the convoy departing from Job Lot’s warehouse in North Kingstown, escorted by RI State Police, Blue Knights motorcycle club and North Kingstown Fire Department en route to the select Food Banks.

For the first time in the 11-year history of the Three Square Meals program, private businesses are sponsoring a truckload of food including Bank of America, The Providence Journal Charitable Fund, Polar Beverages, and Bob’s Red Mill.  Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation is also teaming up with the New England Patriots Alumni Club led by former 12-year Patriots offensive player Pete Brock and 15-year quarterback Steve Grogan to “tackle hunger” in 2014 and beyond. They will be on-hand for the March 25th morning event along with current Patriots cheerleaders and costumed mascot “Pat Patriot.”

In what has become a holiday tradition, Job Lot customers in seven states were invited to donate $1 at the register through December 31, 2013 to help buy food for Food Banks to distribute in their local community.  Job Lot matched the first $100,000 of donations made by shoppers.  The customer donations and matching amount totaled over $1.4 million – the equivalent of 78 tractor trailer loads of food.  Leveraging its significant wholesale buying power, Job Lot purchases food from its manufacturers and other sources valued at up to three times Job Lot’s purchase price, and also donates all purchasing logistics, administration, management, delivery labor, and fuel ensuring 100 percent of donated funds are used to help alleviate hunger.  Items to be distributed include shelf-stable food such as pasta, cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, soup, canned tuna, dried beans, rice, and more.

In late Spring, Job Lot and the New England Patriots Alumni Club are launching an initiative with URI’s SNAP-Ed program, culinary institutes, Scotts and Burpee Seeds to tackle food insecurity in the region from supporting neighborhood gardens to providing nutrition education to the community.  “Our Three Square Meals event is intended to bring attention to and help alleviate the growing food crisis in our region,” states Ocean State Job Lot Owner/Partner Alan Perlman, who notes his company is quick to recognize the contributions and generosity of its valued customers.  “We’re leading the fight against hunger, starting from the community garden level, to distributing nutritious food, to then teaching people how to create and eat healthy meals. Together with our customers and charitable partners such as the Patriots Alumni and URI’s SNAP-Ed program, we can greatly impact each step along this food insecurity cycle.  It’s exciting to see our Three Square Meals program grow and become an important catalyst for change.”

The public is invited to attend the 2014 Three Square Meals event being held in the Job Lot warehouse at 375 Commerce Park Road in North Kingstown on March 25, 2014 at 8:00 am, and to help cheer on the truck convoy as it departs at approximately 9:15 am for the Food Bank deliveries. There is no charge for this event.  Guests are asked to use Job Lot Way (off Commerce Park Road) to access the warehouse parking lot, and to enter Door #7.

March 25, 2014 0 comment
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R.I. DEM News Release: Governor Chafee, DEM Celebrate RI Agriculture Day at State House

by David Dadekian October 6, 2021
written by David Dadekian
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

For Release: April 25, 2013
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

GOVERNOR CHAFEE, DEM DIRECTOR COIT, RINLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHANNON BRAWLEY, FARMERS AND LEGISLATORS CELEBRATE RHODE ISLAND AGRICULTURE DAY IN STATE HOUSE FESTIVITIES TODAY

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management hosted Rhode Island Agriculture Day at the State House today to recognize the importance of the state’s $170 million agriculture industry.

“Agriculture provides numerous benefits to Rhode Island’s economy, quality of life, open space, and access to local foods and horticultural products,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee. “Today’s celebration is an opportunity to focus public attention on Rhode Island’s agricultural industry and educate our citizens on the many ways that agriculture touches their lives each day.”

This year’s RI Agriculture Day program recognized the 100th anniversary of the RI Fruit Growers Association with the preview of a new documentary film on the state’s apple industry, entitled “Vanishing Orchards.” In addition, the event highlighted a new initiative to promote and market local seafood as well as ongoing programs to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island. 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, local beef and aquaculture, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries.

“All of our state’s natural resource-based functions – agriculture, aquaculture and fishing – result directly in jobs and opportunities to promote Rhode Island,” noted DEM Director Janet Coit. “This can be seen across the state, from the expansion of farmers’ markets to the promotion of delicious local produce, meats, and seafood in our outstanding restaurants. Agriculture represents a bright spot in the economy of our beautiful state, thanks to growing consumer interest in products grown and caught locally and the impressive entrepreneurial skills of Rhode Island farmers and fishermen.”

Rhode Island has 1,219 farms, mostly family run, which occupy 61,000 acres. The state has 50 seasonal farmers markets in urban, suburban and rural areas, seven indoor winter markets, and numerous pick-your-own farm stand operations. According to the 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture, Rhode Island was ranked number three in the country for direct marketing sales of fruits and vegetables from farms to consumers, on a per farm basis. Rhode Island also had $6.3 million worth of agriculture sales sold directly to the public, equal to 9.5 percent of all agriculture market sales, which ranked Rhode Island first in the US for percentage of direct market sales. The Economic Impact Study conducted by URI significantly determined that many economic values surpassed USDA figures.

New Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Logo and Website Unveiled

DEM Director Coit noted that the seafood sector is nearing its way to being as successful as the agricultural sector in local marketing and sales. The economic value of just the raw product sales of the RI agriculture and commercial fishing industries combined is $266 million per year, with even greater far-reaching economic benefits when multiplier impacts are factored in (Rhode Island Commercial Fishing and Seafood Industries Report, October 2011).

With the passage of the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative law in 2011, the state has committed to creating a framework for effective and sustainable marketing for Rhode Island seafood. A new logo that will be used to identify RI grown seafood products was rolled out at today’s Agriculture Day program. In seafood shops and supermarkets throughout the state, consumers will soon be seeing this logo depicting locally-harvested fish and shellfish products such as fresh squid, lobsters, fish, oysters and clams. Also, the Seafood Marketing Collaborative has developed a new website where consumers can get up-to-date information about local seafood and product availability. The website address is www.seafoodri.org.

In addition to our mouth-watering seafood, Rhode Island is also well known for the many varieties of delicious, sweet fruit it produces each year at orchards and farms throughout the state. To honor the generations of fruit growers who have dedicated their efforts to producing bounty after bounty of apples, peaches, plums, berries, and other succulent fruits for Rhode Islanders to enjoy, the Agriculture Day program recognized and honored the RI Fruit Growers Association as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year.

The new documentary film on the state’s apple industry, entitled “Vanishing Orchards,” will preview at 7 p.m. on May 23 at the Jane Pickens Theatre in Newport. Produced by Alex Caserta with funding from DEM, this is positive story about the changes within the fruit growing industry in RI over the past 10 years as the industry has adopted retail marketing techniques such as pick your own and agri-tourism. As a result, the industry has survived and has thrived in RI. Governor Lincoln Chafee was interviewed for this film.

Large Variety of Locally-Grown Foods Available for Sampling

As part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day festivities, approximately 50 exhibitors hosted displays in the State House Rotunda throughout the day. Exhibitors included farms, local food purveyors, and land trusts, as well as government and non-profit agencies that work with farmers. Coordinated by DEM’s Division of Agriculture, the exhibits highlighted Rhode Island agriculture and the many organizations that collectively participate in its viability.

Several exhibitors offered food samples, such as stuffed quahogs from Dave’s Marketplace; fresh cupcakes and their own cheddar cheese directly from Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery; assorted cheeses from Narragansett Creamery; oysters from Matunuck Oyster Farm; johnnycakes from the Kenyon’s Grist and Corn Meal Company; Rhody Fresh milk and Butterkase cheese from the RI Dairy Farms Cooperative; egg sandwiches, Greek yogurt and Del’s liquid lemonade from Little Rhody Foods; and Arruda Dairy’s fresh plain and flavored milk including chocolate and coffee. Also, fresh cider from Jaswell’s Farm in Smithfield; fresh made fudge from Confreda Farms and Greenhouse in Cranston; Cabot Cheese made with milk from RI dairy farms; Rich’s Sweet Heat sauce for RI-grown vegetables and meats; and fresh assorted pies from Gardner Pie Company were available for sampling.

Along with Governor Chafee and Director Coit, participants in the program included Shannon Brawley, executive director of the RI Nursery and Landscape Association and EDC board member; Senator Susan Sosnowski; Representative Art Handy; and Sandie and Gil Barden of Barden Family Orchards in North Scituate.

October 6, 2021 0 comment
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  • News Bites: Castle Hill Inn New Prix-Fixe Menu / Rory’s Market and Kitchen Coming to Providence / Beatnic’s Vegan Lobster Roll Available in Providence / Coppa Cocktails Arrive in the USA

    July 29, 2022
  • 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

    July 29, 2022
  • News Bites: Wright’s Farm Restaurant Celebrates 50 Years / Newport Restaurant Group Announces 18 Promotions and New Hires / Blackstone Valley Culinary News

    July 29, 2022
  • News Bites: CHI Kitchen Wins Gold / ISCO Expands into Massachusetts / Blackstone Valley Culinary News

    May 12, 2022

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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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