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Black Business Week RI
chefs & restaurantsnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Black Business Week 2021 / Social Enterprise Greenhouse Spring 2021 Virtual Incubator Program / New RI Brewers Guild Board Members

by David Dadekian November 10, 2021
written by David Dadekian

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



Black Business Week Rhode Island 2021

Black Business Week RI

Black Lives Biz honors Black History Month by highlighting Black Businesses and hosting the first Black Business Week of Rhode Island. 

Black Lives Biz is hosting Rhode Island’s first Black Business Week from February 15th – 20th 2021. The week will be filled with discounts, specials and sales from over 35 participating Black owned businesses along with two virtual events. Among the participating businesses are Nubian Nailz, Glow Cafe and The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop. 

What to Expect:

How to transition a side hustle into a scalable business is one of the week’s highly anticipated virtual events hosted by Sterling Clinton-Spellman, founder and CEO of Polished, alongside Chip Douglas and Karriem Kanston. This event will highlight stories of converting lifelong passions into successful and profitable businesses. During the event they will share tips, best practices and local resources on how to convert a hobby into a scalable business.

To RSVP for How to transition a side hustle into a scalable business and a full schedule of Black Business Week RI, see https://fb.me/e/1YazO1kyM

Black Lives Biz is the nation’s leading search engine for Black-owned businesses with over 180,000 businesses listed nationwide. Our mission is to strengthen the alliances between Black owned businesses and to highlight all Black owned businesses through a digital portal. Visit  www.blacklivesbiz.com to learn more.


Social Enterprise Greenhouse Announces Spring 2021 Virtual Incubator Program for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses – Apply by March 5, 2021

Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) has opened applications for its Spring 2021 Virtual Incubator program. The SEG Virtual Incubator is a five-week business education program that covers social entrepreneurship, business model planning, finances, and other important topics for startup organizations. More than 150 startups representing a wide variety of industries have graduated from the program since it began in 2017.

The SEG Spring 2021 Virtual Incubator begins with an orientation on March 15 and then meets twice weekly from March 22 to April 22 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The program will be conducted virtually using Zoom. Participants benefit from the experience of learning together with a cohort of fellow early-stage business owners and receive continued professional support after the program ends.

SEG’s Incubator program is designed for anyone who has an idea for a business or nonprofit that will create positive social impact while being financially sustainable. Motivated and coachable social entrepreneurs and small business owners from Rhode Island and beyond are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by March 5, 2021. More information and the application are available at www.bit.ly/SEGIncubator.

The SEG Incubator is sponsored by the RI Department of Labor and Training’s Back to Work RI program, Rhode Island Foundation, Central Providence Health Equity Zone, Citizens Bank, Island Foundation, van Beuren Charitable Foundation, and EJMP Fund for Philanthropy.


Rhode Island Brewers Guild Welcomes New Board Members

Three new members join the five-person board

The Rhode Island Brewers Guild, the official association focused on promoting Rhode Island’s beer manufactures and brew pubs, recently held elections for their Board of Directors.  The board is made up of five representatives from member breweries who are voted on by the 31-member organization.  The 2021 Board will retain two key members, Jeremy Ruff, owner/brewer from LineSider Brewing in East Greenwich and Morgan Snyder, owner/brewer at Buttonwoods Brewery in Cranston.  

Joining the Board of Directors for 2021 are Matt Richardson, owner/brewer at the recently expanded Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter, Armando DeDona, owner/brewer of Long Live Beer Works in Providence and Matthew Gray, President of Ragged Island Brewing Company in Portsmouth.  These new members replace Board members Jennifer Brinton of Grey Sail Brewing of RI, Tamara McKenney of Appanoug Brewing Company and Tony Barber of Ragged Island Brewing Co, whose terms have expired.

At their first monthly meeting on January 25th the board selected Jeremy Ruff to continue in his position as President and selected Matt Richardson as Vice President, Matthew Gray as Secretary and Armando DeDona as Treasurer.  The Board is charged with enhancing the marketing and promotion of the Ocean State’s growing brewery scene, legislative initiatives to spur business development and ensure compliance, as well as pursuit of technical training opportunities to enhance the quality of beer brewed in R.I.  

“The Rhode Island brewing community has seen significant growth in the number of beer manufacturers licensed in the State over the past 10 years.” said Executive Director, Gary Richardson.  “Today we have over 30 member breweries in the Guild with several more in planning phases.”

The RI Brewers Guild was a recent recipient of funding from the RI Commerce Corp’s “Take it Outside” grant which helped many brewers create or enhance outdoor beer gardens and seating areas to help safely retain tasting room sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years the Guild has successfully lobbied for changes to State laws that allow for on-site sampling and takeout sales directly from the breweries. In the Spring of 2020, the Guild launched the RI Brewery Passport App.  This digital passport allows beer fans a chance to visit each of the member breweries and earn prizes for milestones met along the way.  The Guild looks to focus on additional legislative initiatives in 2021 as well as promoting a collaboration beer series between member breweries throughout the year.

For more information about the RI Brewers Guild visit www.ribrewersguild.org

  • Kara and Matt Richardson, owners/brewer of Tilted Barn Brewery
    Kara and Matt Richardson, owners/brewer of Tilted Barn Brewery
  • Matthew Gray, President of Ragged Island Brewing Company
    Matthew Gray, President of Ragged Island Brewing Company
  • Armando DeDona, owner/brewer of Long Live Beer Works
    Armando DeDona, owner/brewer of Long Live Beer Works
November 10, 2021 0 comment
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Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
chefs & restaurantscookingnewswine & drinks

News Bites: Hope & Main Nourish Our Neighbors / Yacht Club Bottling Works “Soda Pop Poll” / Newport Restaurant Group Mother’s Day 2020

by David Dadekian May 19, 2020
written by David Dadekian

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



East Bay “Eats Strong” During Covid-19 Crisis Thanks to New Hope & Main-based Program

Nourish Our Neighbors launches with 2,400 free meals distributed, and counting

Caitlin Mandel, Hope & Main’s Market & Community Program Manager, drops bagfuls of meals and fresh greens into the car of a local recipient during weekday morning pickups. Photo by Rupert Whiteley
Caitlin Mandel, Hope & Main’s Market & Community Program Manager, drops bagfuls of meals and fresh greens into the car of a local recipient during weekday morning pickups. Photo by Rupert Whiteley

HOPE & MAIN, the nonprofit food business incubator, recently launched the Nourish Our Neighbors program with donations raised from more than 250 generous donors and a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. The program is a part of the nonprofit’s urgent response to support both the community and the local food economy during the Covid-19 crisis.

Nourish Our Neighbors is designed to ensure that local families, individuals and seniors have access to wholesome, prepared meals at a time when access to nutritious food is an increasing and critical challenge.

“During these unprecedented times we are seeing the breakdown of the local food supply chain. It makes no sense that the State’s farmers and fisherman have no market for what is locally cultivated and landed here, at the very moment when Rhode Islanders want fresh, local food. Consumers want to support them, but the distribution channels aren’t there. Nourish Our Neighbors is a way to support business continuity for our dozens of member companies as well as our local food system. Using the funds we raised, HOPE & MAIN-based chefs can purchase from local purveyors and prepare healthy food for vulnerable families in a time of need,” says Lisa Raiola, MPH, President and Founder of HOPE & MAIN. “There is nothing healthier than the food we cultivate and produce right here.”

The meals are a nutritious compliment to the free breakfasts and lunches supplied by the Bristol Warren School District that HOPE & MAIN has been distributing since mid-March from 8am-11am every Monday through Friday. The Nourish Our Neighbors team is also delivering 220+ frozen, reheatable meals each Friday to the area’s three Senior Centers. All of the Nourish Our Neighbors meals are provided at absolutely no cost to recipients.

An anonymous participant who retrieves meals daily for herself and housebound neighbors said “If I needed to use one word to describe it, ‘amazing’ would be the word of choice. I’m honored to be able to help children and elders in my community by delivering such well-balanced meals to them during this time of need. The staff is truly amazing and make you feel so welcome when you go to pick up the meals. And I enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of the families when I drop off the food to them. It gives me a feeling like never before in my heart that I know I’m truly helping others.”

Community-based food businesses like Gotham Greens, Blount Fine Foods and Granny Squibb have also contributed food and supplies, says Kelley McShane, Managing Partner, The Granny Squibb Company, “HOPE & MAIN has always been a great support to Rhode Islanders and the small business/start-up community. It’s incredible to see how they have stepped up during a time of crisis. We are honored to be able to play a small part in their efforts.”

Roger Williams University has additionally partnered with HOPE & MAIN by providing a part-time staff member from Dining Services, Don Fitting, to help exclusively with the Nourish Our Neighbors program. “As part of our mission to strengthen society, RWU is proud to support HOPE & MAIN’s efforts to provide assistance to those impacted by Covid-19 through unemployment, public school facility closings, and to our local senior citizens,” said President Ioannis Miaoulis. Raiola notes, “As a life-long East Bay resident, Don has been a wonderful resource bringing both talent and heart to this ambitious initiative.”

Now three weeks into operations, HOPE & MAIN’s team is organizing to distribute 800-900 prepared meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Caterers, prepared meal companies, restaurants and food trucks based at the nonprofit’s facility are eagerly stepping up to assist, many adapting and re-focusing their business models to meet current demand. Companies like Savory Fare, The Holistic Trick, Mise, Flat Waves, BSquared, Good Vines, Basil & Bunny and others are staying active, cooking up wholesome, ready-to-eat meals, incorporating local ingredients (including other HOPE & MAIN makers’ products) when possible.

“Being a part of Nourish Our Neighbors has been an incredible blessing for all of us at Flat Waves Food Shack. When 100% of our catering business was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were very concerned about the immediate future of our business,” says Will Burgess, owner of Flat Waves Food Shack and member of HOPE & MAIN’s copacking program, “Nourish Our Neighbors has helped keep our entire staff working, provided an outlet for our perishable food that otherwise may have spoiled, and brought some positivity, hope, joy (and income) to our business!”

The latest development in the Nourish Our Neighbors program is dubbed “Buy One, Give One”, intended to help sustain support in the months to come. Anyone with the means to do so can purchase a single-serving meal through HOPE & MAIN’s website. For that cost, one meal will be available for the purchaser to pick up on Monday evenings and one will be reserved for a community member in need for later in the week. Says Raiola: “These are beautiful, healthy meals, freshly prepared with care in our kitchens. I love that we will all be able to eat the same food — almost like gathering at the same table — to create a community of common support. This is how, together, we will get through this.”

For more information on Buy One, Give One, accessing meals or to donate to the Nourish Our Neighbors program please visit https://makefoodyourbusiness.org/nourish-our-neighbors/. Email community@makefoodyourbusiness.org or call (401) 245-7400.


Yacht Club Bottling Works Returns to Politics with the Release of Their Second “Soda Pop Poll” featuring Donald’s Big League Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade

Yacht Club Bottling Works "Soda Pop Poll" 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian
Yacht Club Bottling Works “Soda Pop Poll” 2020, photo by David S. Dadekian

Yacht Club Bottling Works, The Official Soda and Water Company of Rhode Island, is getting back into politics for the 2020 presidential election with the return of their Soda Pop Poll. This year people have the choice of two new Limited Release flavors to show their presidential preference: Donald’s Big League Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade. As with the last presidential Soda Pop Poll, Yacht Club will release the results of the poll this fall to see which political pop New Englanders like best.

If you’re not interested in “voting” for Donald’s Big League Punch or Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade, Yacht Club will be re-releasing last summer’s Limited Release hit Berrymelon Rebellion as the 3rd party flavor choice. In 2016 the palates of New Englanders predicted the winner of the election. Of the 48,048 politically themed bottles sold that summer and fall, 46.3% of them were Donald’s Populist Punch, proving narrowly more popular than Hillary’s Liberal Limeade.

“People had so much fun trying our election flavors and ‘voting’ with their taste buds in 2016 that we knew we had to do it again this year, but with new sodas,” said Yacht Club owner John Sgambato. “Donald’s Big League Punch is a new and improved version of 2016’s Donald’s Populist Punch and Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade is a lemonade at heart but with a fun twist. Remember, every soda sold is a vote for that candidate to become President of Soda Pop!”

As has become the standard for Yacht Club’s Limited Release label art, Sgambato described his concept to nationally syndicated sports, editorial and entertainment cartoonist/artist and Rhode Island resident, Frankie Galasso, who drew both Trump and Biden labels in his own inimitable caricaturist style. Galasso considers himself “a bit of a soda freak” and enjoys his Yacht Club collaborations. Galasso can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/frankgalassori/.

All three Soda Pop Poll flavors are now available at the Yacht Club Bottling Works Factory Store in North Providence—see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/YachtClubSoda/ for updated hours, will be sold at farmers markets and can be found in local stores and restaurants through distribution by McLaughlin & Moran. Plus, Yacht Club has an updated web site at https://www.yachtclubsoda.com/ with online ordering and will ship all their flavors to anywhere in the United States.

Donald’s Big League Punch, Joe’s Berry-Blue Lemonade and Berrymelon Rebellion will only be available through election season, or while supplies last, so don’t miss out on your chance to vote in the Soda Pop Poll!


Newport Restaurant Group Celebrates Mother’s Day with Takeout Offerings

Newport Restaurant Group

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurant concepts throughout Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, is celebrating moms this Mother’s Day with takeout options from Iron Works in Warwick and Avvio Ristorante in Cranston.

Iron Works, located at 697 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will offer a selection of specials in addition to its full takeout menu from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Specials include Crab Cakes: lump crab, seasonal slaw, and smoked tomato-aleppo pepper aioli; Shrimp Risotto with blistered grape tomatoes, corn, mascarpone cheese and fresh herbs; and a 16 oz. Bone-In Ribeye with potato and leek gratin, sautéed spinach, and house steak sauce. Family-style side dishes feature Garlicky Broccolini, Gruyere Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Roasted Mushrooms, Fennel & Carrots. For the full menu and to place an order, visit https://www.ironworkswarwick.com/.

Avvio Ristorante, located at Garden City Center at 90 Hillside Road in Cranston, will be offering a family-style takeout menu for Mother’s Day from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in addition to its full takeout menu. The family-style menu feeds four people and includes a half sheet pan of focaccia bread, salad, entrée, and dessert for $100.

Salad options include a Caesar with romaine, focaccia crisp, creamy anchovy dressing, Grana Padano; and the Insalata di Avvio with romaine, arugula, radicchio, shaved fennel, Grana Padano, and a lemon basil vinaigrette.

Entrée selections include Chicken Piccata: pan-sautéed chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, and a lemon, white wine, and caper butter sauce; Chicken Parmesan with penne pomodoro; Rigatoni Bolognese with a beef, veal, pork, and tomato ragu and Grana Padano; or Penne con Pollo with grilled chicken, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, roasted garlic, and a white wine butter sauce. Dessert features Assorted Cookies, including lemon biscotti, cannoli, and chocolate chip cookies.

Family-style orders must be placed by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday for Sunday pick up. For the full menu and to place an order, visit https://www.avvioristorante.com/.

May 19, 2020 0 comment
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Eat Drink RI logo
chefs & restaurantsnews

Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis

by David Dadekian November 28, 2020
written by David Dadekian

We’re All In This Together


¿Necesitas COVID-19 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 / governor@governor.ri.gov

Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello – 401-222-2466 / rep-mattiello@rilegislature.gov
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio – 401-222-6655 / sen-ruggerio@rilegislature.gov

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 rhodeisland_do@sba.gov or mark.hayward@sba.gov

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

Rhode Island Grants and Funding

Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

Citizens Bank – LISC Small Business Recovery Grant

Rhode Island Commerce Short-term bridge loans for restaurants and microbusinesses

Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island COVID-19 Response Fund Grants


City and Town Grants and Funding

Providence Business Loan Fund

East Providence COVID-19 Job Retention Loan Program

East Providence Small Business Assistance

Pawtucket Business Development Corporation COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program


Rhode Island Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act FAQ

Understanding Rhode Island and Federal Paid Leave and Unemployment Insurance

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

COVID-19 emergency unemployment insurance benefits for gig economy worker, contract worker, small business owner, worker for hire or self-employed


Worker Relief Funds

Another Round, Another Rally

American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund

National Restaurant Association National Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund

Restaurant Strong Fund

Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program

United States Bartenders’ Guild Emergency Assistance Program


Other Rhode Island Resources

Rhode Island Department of Health COVID-19 page

Rhode Island Superior Court Business Recovery Plan

RI DHS is exploring an expansion of a SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) via a waiver. See details and complete the RI Food Policy Council form.

RI Food Policy Council Interactive Food Access Maps

Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out

Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online

Breweries Offering Curbside Can Sales


Other National Resources

Independent Restaurant Coalition

Restaurants Act – Tell Congress: Support Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Relief Efforts and To Provide Additional Funding

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United COVID-19 Resources

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency

James Beard Foundation Resources Restaurants and COVID-19

No Kid Hungry Find Free Meals for Kids

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) page


Mental Health Resources

RI Foundation COVID-19 Behavioral Health Fund Grants

Crisis Text Line – message with a live, trained crisis counselor

Chefs With Issues Facebook Group

Ben’s Friends – food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction

Streaming Service Promotions (if it helps, it helps!)


With thanks to my friend Rick Simone of the Federal Hill Commerce Association and Providence Tourism Council

November 28, 2020 0 comment
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Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey
farmsnewswine & 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 Co. 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
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

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

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
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