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Rhode Island Food Policy Council

Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis

by David Dadekian November 28, 2020

We’re All In This Together

¿Necesitas COVID-1 9 recursos en español? Por favor, póngase en contacto con Dorcas International.

There are a number of resources–on the national level, state level and municipal level–that have been enacted to help small businesses during this time of great need. I receive dozens of messages and emails each day asking what’s out there or do I have more information. Below are links to all the application forms and fact sheets that I’m currently aware of, plus some other resources on unemployment insurance and health.

I am taking all information from official web sites and cannot be responsible for any rule or regulation changes–consult with your accountant, lawyer, loan officer, etc. I can recommend those professionals if you need someone.

Jump down to:

Contact Your Government Representation
CARES Act General Overviews
SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans
Rhode Island Grants and Funding
City and Town Grants and Funding
Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance
Worker Relief Funds
Other Rhode Island Resources
Other National Resources
Mental Health Resources

Contact Your Government Representation

The only way these types of aid get passed is by contacting our representatives at all levels of government and making the need to save small businesses, such as our restaurants, a high priority. Here are contact info and search sites for you to find who you should be talking with.

Senator Jack Reed – 401-528-5200 or 202-224-4642

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse – 401-453-5294 or 202-224-2921

Find Your Representative
– Congressman Jim Langevin – 401-732-9400 or 202-225-2735
– Congressman David Cicilline – 401-729-5600 or 202-225-4911

Governor Gina Raimondo – 401-222-2080 / [email protected]

Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello – 401-222-2466 / [email protected]
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio – 401-222-6655 / [email protected]

Find your Senator and Representative in the RI General Assembly

CARES Act General Overviews

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

CARES Act: Unemployment Insurance FAQ

Independent Restaurant Coalition COVID-19 Legislative Responses: Impact For Small Business

SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources – overview page with funding options, guidance for businesses and other SBA information

Questions? Contact Mark Hayward, Rhode Island District Director and Regional Administrator for Region I at [email protected] or [email protected]

SBA Coronavirus Relief Options:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan including EIDL Forgiveness Advance

Forgiveness Advance of up to $10,000 in 3 business days
3.75% interest rate for businesses, 2.75% interest rate for non-profits of up to $2,000,000 for up to 30 years
Unsecured up to $25,000. No personal guarantee for amounts up to $200,000
Up to 1 year payment deferral, interest will accrue
Apply here

Paycheck Protection Program

U.S. Treasury Information Sheet
American Enterprise Institute summary
Applied via an SBA-certified bank or credit union – find a lender—this is important as I’ve heard from owners around the country who’ve said their bank was not entering this program and they had to find a new bank
Apply directly for the PPP through the Community Reinvestment Fund and Goldman Sachs
I’ve also heard it’s recommended you download and review, if not fill out the sample lender form, though your bank may use a modified version
1% interest rate, borrow up to 250% of average monthly payroll from the past year capped at $100,000 per employee, up to a maximum of $10,000,000, for up to 2 years
Up to 6 months deferral, interest will accrue
Forgiveness: up to 100% as long as loan proceeds amount spent by the borrower during the 8-week period after the origination date of the loan is used for: payroll costs, interest payment on any mortgage incurred prior to February 15, 2020, payment of rent on any lease in force prior to February 15, 2020, and payment on any utility for which service began before February 15, 2020. Employee and compensation levels must be maintained and payroll cost capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee
Any advance amount received under the EIDL Forgiveness Advance will be subtracted from the amount forgiven
Analytix Solutions in Woburn, MA has offered, for free, to figure out your maximum PPP forgiveness amount. Fill out their form.

SBA Express Bridge Loans

For any business that has an existing banking relationship with an SBA-certified lender
Up to $25,000 with an interest rate not to exceed prime + 6.5%, fixed or variable, for a maximum of 7 years

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA will pay the principal, interest, and fees of the above loans for six months
Debt relief is automatic, but you should check with your lender

November 28, 2020 0 comment

Anna's Kitchen Shrubs International SIP Awards Competition

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Wins Awards / RI DEM and RI Food Policy Council Grants / Graze Burgers Patio and New Menu Items

by David Dadekian June 4, 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.

Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Win More Awards

The results are in from the International SIP Awards Competition. There were almost 1000 entrants and Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs cleaned house. We won a total of SEVEN awards!

Each flavor won in the Taste Category

Strawberry Lemon Thyme – Platinum Taste
Apple Cider Ginger – Platinum Taste
Cranberry Mint – Double Gold Taste
Banana Turmeric – Gold Taste
Peach Jalapeno – Bronze Taste

Series Bottle Design – Silver

The SIP Bottle and Packaging Design Awards are conducted separately from tasting and recognizes successfully crafted designs that complement the spirit and appeal to the consumers’ aesthetic sense. Criteria for the design awards include creativity, originality, theme consistency and overall design.

Innovation Award

Last but not least Anna’s Kitchen Strawberry Lemon Thyme Shrub was awarded the Innovation Award! The Innovation Award applauds spirits with an interesting and unique taste profile or design. Consumer judges deem these spirits as innovative and groundbreaking by highlighting them with this exclusive recognition.

DEM and RI Food Policy Council Announce Nearly $100,000 In Grants To Strengthen Local Food Businesses

To accelerate growth of Rhode Island’s green economy, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the RI Food Policy Council, has awarded $95,949 in grants to 12 local agriculture and food businesses. The awards, funded under the Local Agriculture & Seafood Act (LASA) grant program, help new and existing small businesses and food initiatives take root and prosper in Rhode Island.

“We’re excited to award these grants to help farmers, fishers, and food businesses start or expand their operations in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “LASA continues to be an important catalyst in growing a wide range of food and agricultural businesses across our state, and we look forward to celebrating the success of these outstanding initiatives.”

“Each 2019 LASA grant directly benefits and strengthens the local food system in Rhode Island,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director of the RI Food Policy Council. “This unique program helps us reach the ambitious but achievable goals set out in Relish Rhody, the state’s 5-year food strategy.”

Now in its sixth year, LASA has provided over $1.2 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support the growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

The 2019 LASA grant awards include:

BreenBain LLC, Foster, $5,250:
To purchase materials that will be used to construct a mobile produce cooler that can be towed by a pickup truck, keeping vegetables cool and extending their shelf life.

Endless Farm, Johnston, $6,676:
To build 10 energy-efficient, unheated caterpillar tunnels that will be used to produce a consistent, year-round supply of greens and herbs in a low-cost manner.

Chessawanock Island Oysters, Cranston, $16,647:
To implement an innovative oyster farming project that will reduce mortality and increase product desirability using a dual grow-out system and flip-bag technology.

Sweet and Salty Farm, Little Compton, $15,000:
To significantly increase production and sales of cheese and yogurt through the purchase and installation of an ice accumulator that can cool milk rapidly after pasteurization.

The Local Patch, Middletown, $3,087:
To build a walk-in cooler on a small, diversified market garden that will hold harvested produce in half of a 20-foot shipping container until sale.

Warren Cider Works Company, Warren, $15,640:
To increase production of unique, local hard ciders through purchase and installation of improved juice processing equipment.

Roots Farm, Tiverton, $4,725:
To increase productivity though the purchase and implementation of scale-appropriate tools for seeding, transplanting, and cultivation on a small-scale, intensively planted, non-mechanized farm that will help increase productivity, and to share this work with other RI growers through on-farm workshops.

Territorium Farms, North Smithfield, $3,379:
To increase production of local beer, wine, and beer-wine hybrids by installing additional trellises for additional hop and grape production for on-farm beverage production and raw product sales to local homebrewers, breweries, and vineyards.

Seaside Botanicals LLC, Foster, $600:
To create locally-grown herbal products through the purchase and installation of a steam distiller for making essential oils and hydrosols from Rhode Island-grown herbs.

Stony Lane Apiary, Exeter, $3,445:
To build a dedicated, free-standing honey house to process and sell honey and honeybee-related products, and to collaborate with and mentor other beekeepers.

Moonstone Mushrooms, Wakefield, $15,000:
To assist a small-scale mushroom grower to increase production of gourmet culinary and medicinal mushrooms through a move to a larger facility and purchase and installation of upgraded equipment.

Quaintly Farm, Providence, $6,500:
To increase the capacity and volume of produce grown by an urban farm through the purchase and installation of a walk-in cooler and storage shed, and to support the establishment of more farms owned and operated by African-American farmers in Rhode Island.

LASA is funded by the State. In 2019 State funds were supplemented with a $30,000 Senate Legislative Grant sponsored by Senator Susan Sosnowski.

DEM continues to work across many fronts to benefit and strengthen Rhode Island’s green economy and to assist local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses. There are more than 1,000 farms sprinkled across the state and Rhode Island is home to a thriving young farmer network. DEM continues to make investments in critical infrastructure as well as provide farm incubation space to new farmers through its Urban Edge Farm and Snake Den Farm properties. In addition to the above grant awards, $20,000 is directed to DEM to support the state’s local seafood campaign, RI Seafood, and the promotion of local dairy products.

Graze Burgers Opens Patio for the Season

Celebrate Summer with New Menu Items and Sunday Hours in Downtown Westerly

Graze Burgers, located at 127 Granite Street in Westerly, is welcoming the warmer weather with the opening of its outdoor patio. Guests can enjoy Graze’s famous 100% grass-fed beef burgers, hand-cut fries, frozen custard shakes, beer, wine, and more in the sunshine or under the shade of an umbrella, right in downtown Westerly. Graze will also be open on Sundays for the season, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.grazeri.com.

In addition, Graze has added three specialty burgers to its menu. The new burgers are the Mushroom Swiss Burger topped with melted Swiss cheese and sautéed Crimini mushrooms; the Avocado Burger with fresh avocado, ripe tomato and leafy mixed greens; and the Breakfast Burger topped with crispy bacon, an over-easy fried egg, and American cheese. All start with a quarter pound of 100% grass-fed beef and are served on a brioche bun or in a lettuce pocket.

For a sweet ending, guests can try the new Cinna-Bomb, a toasted cinnamon cereal-infused soft serve ice cream sundae topped with toasted cinnamon cereal crunchies.

“There’s a lot going on at Graze Burgers, and we are absolutely thrilled to share our delicious, new menu items with our loyal and new customers,” said Kevin Bowdler, Co-Owner, Graze Burgers. “With the opening of our patio and our expanded summer hours, we’re looking forward to making connections with even more members of the community and sharing the benefits of eating locally-sourced, 100% grass-fed beef.”

June 4, 2019 0 comment

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey

farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Award / Truck Stop to benefit the RI Community Food Bank Fundraising / Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Grants

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.

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Gold at World Whiskies Awards

The Rhode Island Distillery Earned Gold For Its Limited Release Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits took home a Gold medal in the American Flavored Whiskey category for their limited-edition Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey. This continues Sons of Liberty’s title as New England’s most awarded distillery and marks the 9th award received from the prestigious Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards since 2014.
Sons of Liberty’s Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey was a limited release in the Fall of 2017, but there are plans to do another, larger release in the future. Starting with their standard Bourbon Whiskey, distilled from 100% Rhode Island grown corn and aged in new American Oak barrels, they finish the whiskey for an additional 10 months in barrels that were used to age maple syrup.

“Finishing the whiskey this way, instead of just adding maple syrup, allowed us to incorporate a subtle maple flavor that did not ruin the integrity of the whiskey, rather just enhanced its overall complexity,” said Sons of Liberty founder Mike Reppucci.

Single Barrel Cellar (Wakefield, MA) focuses on the production of small batch barrel-aged artisanal goods. One of their products, a barrel aged maple syrup, was aged in Sons of Liberty’s ex-Bourbon barrels. When complete, Sons of Liberty takes those barrels back to use in finishing their Bourbon Whiskey. Brad Coyle, Single Barrel Cellar co-founder said of the whiskey, “We were blown away with how smooth and clean the whiskey turned out. We really liked how the maple didn’t overpower the whiskey but complemented it. We were extremely honored to be part of creating an award-winning whiskey with Sons of Liberty.”

Sons of Liberty continues to distribute their standard offerings, most notably their Uprising and Battle Cry Single Malts, but their limited release products have been garnering increasing recognition. “We like to play,” said Reppucci. “It’s fun to introduce new iterations and styles of products and see how the market responds to them. It’s a great test to see if we should make a limited product more widely available.”

Truck Stop Benefit Raises $150,000 for RI Community Food Bank

More than 600 people attended the event featuring gourmet tastings from 23 local food trucks.

Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop, photo by David Dadekian

Last Friday ‘s Truck Stop event at the Rhode Island Food Bank raised more than $150,000 to support the Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to feed hungry Rhode Islanders.

“We are so thankful to our generous sponsors and guests who helped us raise funds to feed our neighbors in need of food assistance across the state,” said Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “Every year, the community comes together in an amazing way to support this event.”

For the sixth year, the Food Bank’s event featured gourmet food trucks as part of the weekend’s Eat Drink RI Festival which showcases local chefs, restaurants and food entrepreneurs.

More than 600 guests attended including Governor Gina Raimondo with First Gentleman Andy Moffit and Senator Jack Reed.

Participating vendors included: Bon Me, Citizen Wing, Ellie’s Bakery, Food 4 Good, Friskie Fries, Fugo, Gastros, Gilded Tomato, Gotta Q, Hometown Poké, Incred-A-Bowl, Like No Udder, Mijos Tacos, Ming’s Asian Street Food, Noble Knots, Open Season, Portu-Galo, Presto Strange O, Red’s, RI Community Food Bank Community Kitchen, Rhody Roots, Rocket Fine Street Food and Sarcastic Sweets. Beverages were provided by Jonathan Edwards Winery, Revival Brewing Company, and Yacht Club Soda. Live music was performed by Superchief Trio.

Once again the event was sponsored by Stop & Shop along with IGT, Collette, Washington Trust, Webster Bank and many other generous donors.

For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.rifoodbank.org

Raimondo, DEM, Partners Announce Over $210,000 In Grants to Local Food Businesses

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), along with its partners, today awarded over $210,000 to 21 local food businesses as part of its annual Agriculture “Ag” Day celebration at the State House. The awards, funded under the Local Agriculture & Seafood Act (LASA) grant program, help new and existing small businesses and food initiatives prosper in Rhode Island.

“Agriculture Day shines a bright light on Rhode Island’s vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. “Today’s Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants will help nurture new food ventures and grow our state’s green economy. I congratulate all grant recipients and look forward to celebrating the success of these outstanding initiatives.”

Now in its fifth year, LASA has provided over $1.1 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

“I’m thrilled to award these grants to help farmers, fishers and food businesses start or expand their operations in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Our state has a vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage, and I look forward to the initiatives and businesses this latest grant round will help inspire.”

“The LASA program has inspired Rhode Island’s agriculture and seafood businesses to innovate and grow,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director for the RI Food Policy Council. “Results from the first comprehensive evaluation of the program show impacts in terms of new product, new markets, increased sales, jobs created, and more that exceed expectations. Funds like this are a key part of the infrastructure for a local food economy.”

The 2018 LASA grant awards include:

African Alliance of RI, Providence/Johnston, $15,140:

To support community garden/farm efforts though purchase of equipment/supplies and a part-time farm manager

Carl Berg, Little Compton, $5,500:

To improve aquaculture production and markets for Sakonnet-grown shellfish

Ester & Joel Bishop, Tiverton, $7,000:

To purchase a mobile processing unit for poultry

Blackstone Bees, LLC, Smithfield, $10,000:

To create a new, sizeable apiary

Deep Roots Farm, Chepachet, $5,794:

To purchase two grain bins to hold chicken and pig feed, bulk feeders, and equipment to move grain around the farm

Eating with the Ecosystem, Statewide, $12,000:

To support outreach and marketing of local seafood

Garman Farm, Newport, $6,150:

To construct a wood-framed shed for equipment storage/wash-and-pack line

Herb & Forage LLC, North Kingstown, $8,086:

To construct a facility for safe washing and storage

Hope’s Harvest RI, Statewide, $9,000:

To support farmer participation in farm gleaning project

Robert F.D. Payne, Exeter, $18,200:

To provide seed money for the South County Sustainable Tool Library

Rachel Playe, Providence, $12,825:

To build a drying shed for medicinal herbs

Rhode Island Land Access Work Group, Statewide, $18,000:

To support the organization’s farm succession school and farm match program, and produce three RI farm “success stories”

Joel Russell, Hopkinton, $7,000:

For contracted labor to design and install a public water system on the farm property

Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, Providence, $6,500:

For purchase of a tea-bagging machine to help further develop market for local tea in Rhode Island while working with refugee farmers

Skinny Dip Farm, Little Compton, $9,982:

To purchase a walk-in cooler, thermometer, and hydrometer

Sweet Pea Farm, Charlestown, $6,115:

To construct a wash station and a walk-in cooler

Urban Greens Food Co-op, Providence, $19,500:

To support development of kitchen to help increase capacity for processing and use of local ingredients

Samantha Vallone & William Morin, Chepachet, $6,025:

To construct a wash-and-pack station and expand cold storage capacity

Westbay Community Action/Westbay Farm, Warwick, $12,200:

To build a root cellar to expand capacity of community farm

Nathaniel Wood & Adam Graffunder, Johnston, $6,940:

For purchase of farming equipment to increase the efficiency of the no-till, bio-intensive farming operation at Snake Den Farm

Young Farmer Network, Statewide, $11,140:

To support education programming and network development for young farmers in Rhode Island

In partnership with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, LASA is funded by the state with generous support from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. In addition to the above grant awards, $20,000 is directed to DEM and the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative to support the state’s local seafood campaign, RI Seafood. Local seafood is poised to spur the next wave of food-based economic growth. Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived at a local port, with an export value over $1 billion.

May 9, 2019 0 comment

Newport Vineyards in Fall, photo by Marianne Lee Photography

farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: RI Food Policy Council New Member Applications / Newport Vineyards Brings Home Gold / October Farm to School Month / 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm Escobar Farm

by David Dadekian October 23, 2017

written by David Dadekian

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

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) seeks applications for new Council members

Where we have been:
We have accomplished a lot in the past five years. Those early years were about helping build a network around food as a system, and in the last year we have been thrilled to be involved with the development of the first ever Rhode Island Food Strategy.

Where we are headed:
With the launch of the RI Food Strategy, the overarching task in the next year is to help drive execution and implementation of the Strategy, while also taking the opportunity for an internal evaluation.

The evolution of RIFPC:
The coming year will mark transition for the Council, and we seek innovative and energetic individuals to join and help chart the course. We will look to shift staffing, structures, and communications, as well as internal processes and organizational culture. We want to ensure that we are creating opportunities for all to come to the table and shape the next phase, with increased transparency both during and after the nominations process.

We acknowledge that the makeup of the Council has not matched the diversity of all Rhode Islanders, and we seek to improve on this thoughtfully and intentionally. We recognize the value of diversity in backgrounds and experience, and the importance of raising up voices that have historically been marginalized, as we all work together to a stronger and more resilient Rhode Island food system.

Deadline for applications: November 1, 2017, apply online here.

Newport Vineyards Brings Home Gold from the 13th Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

Newport Vineyards in Fall, photo by Marianne Lee Photography

Newport Vineyards, an award winning winery located in beautiful Middletown, RI, won Gold and Silver from the 13th Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. Newport Vineyards 2016 Dry Rosé brought home Gold as the Best of Category for Vinifera Rose Wines and Silver was awarded for the 2016 Gewürztraminer in the Best of Category for Gewürztraminer. The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association is one of the oldest wine organizations located on the East Coast. Both wines have been top sellers during 2017 and have sold out before the end of the season. Despite Winemaker George Chelf doubling the production of the Dry Rosé from last year, the wine was sold out before summer’s end.

Founded by brothers John & Paul Nunes in 1995, Newport Vineyards is the largest grower of grapes in New England. The winery produces nearly 30,000 cases of estate-grown wine each year through sustainable farming methods on 75 acres of historically preserved farmland. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2015, the winery has become a culinary and wine destination offering multiple experiences including daily tours and tastings, 100% from scratch culinary programs at Brix Restaurant and The Vineyard Café, The Marketplace, seasonal live music, private events and year-round public activities.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon sipping wine and local beer with friends amid the vines, a leisurely lunch, enjoying a gourmet dinner, or hosting a private event, Newport Vineyards truly has it all. Located just 45 minutes from downtown Providence, experience the harvest at its finest on Aquidneck Island.

Governor Raimondo Declares October as Farm to School Month in RI

Farm Fresh RI Farm to School Gardening with Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence

Governor Gina Raimondo has signed an official proclamation declaring October as Farm to School Month in Rhode Island. This is in alignment with National Farm to School Month, designated by Congress in 2010, as an annual celebration of food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with nutritious,local ingredients. “I am so pleased to celebrate Rhode Island Farm to School Month. Connecting kids to healthful, local food while also supporting our local agriculture and food economy is a win-win for the State,” said the State Director of Food Policy, Sue Anderbois. “This work is just part of the fabric of who Rhode Island is. A big thank you to Farm Fresh Rhode Island, our schools, and so many other partners who work so hard to make these initiatives successful.”

To celebrate Farm to School Month, schools across the state are hosting events to bring awareness to Farm to School work in Rhode Island and highlight the connection between local farmers, eaters, and food literacy. Providence Public School District is gearing up for the Great Apple Crunch Day, a day-long celebration of Rhode Island grown apples. Anderbois will be in Providence on Thursday, October 12, at an Apple Crunch event at Lima Elementary School to read the governor’s proclamation and congratulate the district for its continued commitment to supporting local farmers.

Schools and districts can participate in Apple Crunch Day by purchasing and serving Rhode Island grown apples in their meal programs and by “crunching” into apples together as a way to bring awareness to fresh, local produce. Pell Elementary School in Newport is also hosting school-wide Apple Crunch festivities on October 27. For the past several years, the Newport Public School District has celebrated its commitment to Farm to School by hosting an Apple Crunch to bring awareness to the importance of fresh, healthy, and local food in school meals.

“Our Farm to School program provides great opportunities for local farmers to have access to institutional markets and expand their operations to help meet the needs of the community,” said Thea Upham, Community Access Program Director at Farm Fresh Rhode Island. “When school kids are the recipients of fresh, local foods, they are more likely to eat meals at school and actually enjoy them.”

Members of the National Farm to School Network, the RI Farm to School program is part of a much larger landscape of nutrition education, food access, and market-building programs operated by Farm Fresh RI. RI Farm to School enriches the connection communities have to fresh, local food and empowers youth to think critically about the food they eat, to learn about nearby farms and how food is produced, and to taste for themselves that nutritious, fresh foods can be super delicious.

Escobar Farm in Portsmouth Named 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced Escobar Farm in Portsmouth has been named Rhode Island’s 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee of which DEM is a member.

“As one of Rhode Island’s finest dairy farms, Escobar Farm is most deserving of this recognition,” said Ken Ayars, DEM Chief of Agriculture. “Our state has a rich agricultural heritage, and increasingly, local food and agriculture are hotbeds for innovation and growth – spurred on by a growing demand by consumers to know their farmers and benefit from quality, local products. Dairy farming, however, has experienced a decline in recent years in Rhode Island – as elsewhere nationally. This awards program shines an important light on the value of dairy farming to our state. Kudos to Escobar Farm and the Green Pastures Committee for their commitment to the viability of this important local industry.”

DEM continues to work across many fronts to strengthen Rhode Island’s green economy and to promote local agriculture. The state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy each year. And local agriculture continues to be an area ripe for growth – with the number of farms in Rhode Island on the rise and a growing young farmer network. Escobar Farm, owned by Louie and Jane Escobar, was selected for this year’s award given the owners’ involvement in dairy farming advocacy and growth, community ties, and commitment to farming best practices. Escobar Farm was started by Louie Escobar’s father in 1937. Louie helped with farm chores as a youngster and continued working the farm until he took over in 1972.

Escobar Farm is a member of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative and the Agri-Mark Cooperative. Milk from its 95 cows is used in Rhody Fresh Milk and Cabot dairy products. Along with the dairy farm, the Escobars also operate an artificial insemination company that serves dairy farms in the East Bay area of Rhode Island as well as Southeastern Massachusetts. The Escobars were featured, along with several other dairy farms from New England, in the documentary film The Forgotten Farms. The film explores the roll and challenges of the commercial dairy farm in the day of farmers’ markets and artisan cheese.
The Escobars are known as farmers who often open their farm to visits from local schools and people from the local communities that surround their farm. In addition to the dairy farm, the Escobars operate a corn maze that helps supplement the dairy income and introduces about 15,000 visitors a year to the farm.

The Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Committee, made up of government and industry members. Membership in Rhode Island’s Green Pastures Committee is coordinated by the Rhode Island Agricultural Council and the DEM Division of Agriculture. Winning dairy farmers from each New England state will be honored on September 15 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

October 23, 2017 0 comment

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Rhode Island Food Policy Council

Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis

We’re All In This Together

Contact Your Government Representation

CARES Act General Overviews

SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans

Rhode Island Grants and Funding

City and Town Grants and Funding

Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance

Worker Relief Funds

Other Rhode Island Resources

Other National Resources

Mental Health Resources

News Bites: Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Wins Awards / RI DEM and RI Food Policy Council Grants / Graze Burgers Patio and New Menu Items

Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs Win More Awards

DEM and RI Food Policy Council Announce Nearly $100,000 In Grants To Strengthen Local Food Businesses

Graze Burgers Opens Patio for the Season

News Bites: Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Award / Truck Stop to benefit the RI Community Food Bank Fundraising / Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Grants

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Gold at World Whiskies Awards

Truck Stop Benefit Raises $150,000 for RI Community Food Bank

Raimondo, DEM, Partners Announce Over $210,000 In Grants to Local Food Businesses

News Bites: RI Food Policy Council New Member Applications / Newport Vineyards Brings Home Gold / October Farm to School Month / 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm Escobar Farm

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) seeks applications for new Council members

Newport Vineyards Brings Home Gold from the 13th Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition

Governor Raimondo Declares October as Farm to School Month in RI

Escobar Farm in Portsmouth Named 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm

Eat Drink RI The Show with guest Russell Spellman of Incred-A-Bowl

Eat Drink RI The Show with guests Kelley McShane and Nick Carr...

Eat Drink RI The Show with guest Georgina Sarpong of Abundance Farm

Eat Drink RI The Show with guest Alexandra Georgiou of Yoleni’s

Eat Drink RI The Show with guest Jessica Wood of Umelt, Salty’s...