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RI Food Policy Council Media Release: Rhode Island Receives $437,000 through USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian
Rhode Island Food Policy Council

Rhode Island Food Policy Council

Rhode Island Receives $437,000 through USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is pleased to announce that federal Farm Bill funds have been secured for Rhode Island through a multi-pronged collaboration to support increased access to fruits and vegetables for the food insecure of Rhode Island, while also benefitting small and mid-sized farmers in the region. Last week, Rhode Island celebrated USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement of $31.5 million granted through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program (FINI). Rhode Island received two grants through this funding stream, an impressive accomplishment for the smallest state in the nation.

The Rhode Island Public Health Institute received $100,000 to extend the reach of its “Rhody Food on the Move” initiative. Farm Fresh Rhode Island received $337,000 (over three years) to double the amount of nutrition incentives distributed at farmers markets across the state. Farm Fresh is a subgrantee of the national nonprofit Wholesome Wave, who received a $3.77 million FINI grant. Funds from this grant, in both projects, incentivize the spending of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as “food stamps”) on fresh fruit and vegetables.

“These grant awards are the result of a truly collaborative effort that brought together leaders in public health, food systems, and government. The FINI grants provide a double benefit for Rhode Island: the most food insecure residents in the State have increased purchasing power to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, and local and regional producers, processors, and distributors directly benefit from the increased sales,” says Kenneth Payne, Chair of the RI Food Policy Council.

Since 2004, Farm Fresh Rhode Island has been committed to building a local food system that values the health, environment, and quality of life for Rhode Island farmers and eaters. They have offered nutrition incentives named “Bonus Bucks” to SNAP recipients at farmers markets since 2009. SNAP redemption at farmers markets has subsequently grown from $500 in 2007 to over $80,000 in 2014. The grant issued to Farm Fresh will enable further expansion of Bonus Bucks incentives for SNAP shoppers through partnership with independently-managed markets across Rhode Island. Markets that offer Bonus Bucks will expand in number from 13 in 2014 to 25 in 2015.

“Bonus Bucks are a win-win for Rhode Island,” says Sheri Griffin, Co-Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. “They ensure that federal food benefit dollars support our state’s agricultural economy, while enabling our neighbors affected by poverty and food insecurity to share in the local bounty.”

Farm Fresh received this award as a subgrantee on a larger $3.77 million grant, which nonprofit, Wholesome Wave, obtained from the USDA to support their national network of nutrition incentive partners. Farm Fresh is one of 32 community-based organizations that will join Wholesome Wave in this Large-Scale FINI Project.

The Rhode Island Public Health Institute (RIPHI), a 501c3 non-profit housed at Brown University’s School of Public Health, will use its FINI grant to expand their ‘Rhody Food on the Move’ mobile markets and introduce financial incentives into their project. ‘Rhody Food on the Move’ builds upon the experience and success of the ‘Fresh To You’ (FTY) mobile market program, which was the focus of three, recent Brown University research studies conducted by Kim Gans, PhD, MPH, LDN and Gemma Gorham, MPH. The long-term goal of the grant is to increase SNAP recipients’ purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables by ‘making the healthy choice easy and affordable’.

“One of the big challenges with helping people to improve their diets is the lack of access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods,’’ said Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. “And even when it is accessible geographically, the costs can be price prohibitive.”

One of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s four central goals is that every Rhode Island resident will have access to safe, fresh, affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, regardless of income or race. The Bonus Bucks expansion and Rhody Food on the Move projects are two prime examples of statewide efforts to pursue this vision.

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News Bites: Senator Reed Announces Grants to Promote Agriculture, Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Awardees Announcement, Easy Entertaining Offering Beers and Wines at Cafe

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian
Senator Jack Reed speaking at Earth Day event.

Senator Jack Reed speaking at Earth Day event.

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

Reed, Ag Leaders Announce $255,000 to Help Promote Ocean State Agricultural Products

Earth Day event highlights grant money to support RI food growers, facilitate healthier meals in schools

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined officials from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Rhode Island State Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Farm Fresh Rhode Island to celebrate Earth Day and announce new efforts to promote, research, and market Rhode Island agriculture. Reed announced a series of federal grants coming to Rhode Island to improve nutrition in schools and help increase demand and consumption of local, nutritious, and sustainable Rhode Island-grown food.

This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making a $255,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant available to DEM and to food and other specialty crop growers for a variety of projects. Specialty crops make up the bulk of what we eat — all of our fruits and vegetables — as well as things like nursery crops. Past recipients of these federal grants include: Farm Fresh Rhode Island; the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island; Beanhouses Inc.; and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension.

“There’s a lot people can do to protect the planet, like recycling and conserving energy. And another smart way to help Rhode Island’s environment and the economy is to buy local and support your local farms and farmers markets. Because supporting sustainable agriculture here in Rhode Island also supports a healthy economy,” said Reed, the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior & Environment. “A thriving agricultural sector is critical for Rhode Island’s economy and our environment. Supporting local famers and farmers markets is a great way to celebrate Earth Day all year round. I commend DEM, FSA, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, their partners, and our farmers throughout the state who are at the forefront of efforts to plant, grow, and harvest in a sustainable manner that conserves resources and protects the environment. These federal funds will help enhance the production and competitiveness of Rhode Island-grown food and support local growers through marketing and education campaigns, and ‘buy local’ programs. ”

“Earth Day reminds us that healthy farms and food systems are important, as are certain federal grant programs toward achieving that goal. The USDA Specialty Crop Block grant program has been essential to Rhode Island, providing over $1.7 million in federal funding to DEM since 2005 to support local specialty crop growers and programs, of which DEM has directed over $300,000 toward Farm Fresh RI to help build a better local food system,” said Ken Ayars, Chief of DEM’s Division of Agriculture.

“Farm Fresh is very grateful to Senator Reed for facilitating these funds to support Rhode Island’s agricultural sector. Investments in our farm economy will create big returns for local job growth and economic development, as well as help Rhode Islanders choose fresh, healthy, local fruits and vegetables,” said Sheri Griffin, Co-Executive Director, Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

DEM, which will award the federal funding to local grantees, notes there are more than 2,500 green industry businesses in Rhode Island, which help sustain 12,300 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion annually to our state’s economy. In addition to these economic benefits, Rhode Island’s agriculture industry also contributes to tourism, open space, quality of life, and access to local foods and horticultural products.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island, which hosted today’s meeting at their warehouse in Pawtucket, discussed one of their key programs, the “Farm to School” project. The initiative 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 healthy, fresh foods. Earlier this year, Farm Fresh Rhode Island received a $91,917 federal grant from the USDA to partner with Central Falls, Newport, and Providence School districts, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Training School, on a new “blast freezing” pilot program that will help serve up nutritious produce in more classrooms.

Reed today also noted that Rhode Island is slated to receive a $93,191 School Food Service Equipment grant to help schools upgrade kitchen equipment as they seek to provide healthier school meals that meet updated nutrition standards, serving breakfast and lunches with more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and low-fat dairy, and less sodium and fat. New guidelines took effect in the fall of 2012 under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. A 2014 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that many Rhode Island schools lack the kitchen space and equipment to prepare the healthier meals, forcing them to rely on costly, inefficient workarounds.

Reed has long supported legislation to help boost Rhode Island’s food economy. In 2004, Reed helped pass the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act, which authorized the USDA to provide grants to state departments of agriculture for the purposes of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops. Reed is also a co-sponsor of the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act, which seeks to spur job creation by improving federal farm bill programs that support local and regional farm and food systems. The legislation also seeks to help farmers and ranchers engaged in local and regional agriculture by addressing production, aggregation, processing, marketing, and distribution needs, in addition to assisting consumers by improving access to healthy food and direct and retail markets. Many of the provisions of the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act were included in the Farm Bill passed by Congress earlier this year.

Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) Grant Awardees Announcement

Janet Coit, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), will announce the awardees for the 2014 LASA grants on Thursday May 1, at 2:00 p.m. in the State Room of the RI State House during the Speaker Ceremony portion of the 2014 Rhode Island Agriculture Day. Media is invited to attend.

The LASA Grants Advisory Committee, created to assist the RIDEM in matters related to the LASA Grants program, received, reviewed and scored over 90 grant applications for the 2014 funds. Recommendations for grant recipients were sent to Director Coit’s office for final approval. The LASA Grants Program was established by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act of 2012 to support the growth, development and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island. 2014 LASA applicants were encouraged to apply for projects that would increase the competitiveness of RI agricultural products and local seafood while also strengthening the local food system.

Funding was made possible by $100,000 in State funds and $100,000 in funds from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation and the Rhode Island Foundation. RIDEM coordinated with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) to administer the LASA Grants Program.

More information on the LASA grants program can be found on the RIDEM website or on the RIFPC website.

Cheers; Easy Entertaining Inc now offers Craft Beers and Boutique Wines at their Cafe!

Easy Entertaining Inc., a local farm-to-fork Café and catering collaborative, now offers locally crafted beers and hand selected wines to it’s guests and catering clientele.

“We are thrilled that we have received our Wine and Beer License! This is going to open up a whole new side to the business. Not only does the licensing allow us to support our local craft breweries and vintners, but it’s going to enhance our clients’ overall experience by allowing us to perfectly pair beer and wine with their meal” said Chef Kaitlyn Roberts, founder & owner of Easy Entertaining Inc.

The team at Easy Entertaining Inc. has handpicked the local brews and boutique wines with their cafe & catering menus in mind. This is reflected not only in their current cafe menu but in the upcoming Spring menu as well where guests will find a beer or wine suggestion that pairs beautifully with each entree.

Beer and wine will not only be offered to the Café’s lunch crowd but there will also be custom options available when you book the Café as a venue for your next private event. The venue features original hardwood floors, elegant chandeliers, restored hurricane wood tables, 17ft ceilings, and a unique, cozy loft experience. The Cafe is truly a unique location that will help ensure your event is spectacular.

Be sure to stop by the Cafe for lunch at 166 Valley St., Building 10 in Providence and enjoy our outdoor patio seating with a signature sandwich and a cold bottle of craft beer!

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RI DEM News Release: DEM Announces Award of $205,311 in Farm Viability Grants to Enhance and Promote Rhode Island Specialty Crops

by David Dadekian
written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: October 29, 2013
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM ANNOUNCES AWARD OF $205,311 IN FARM VIABILITY GRANTS TO ENHANCE AND PROMOTE RHODE ISLAND SPECIALTY CROPS

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management has announced the award of farm viability grants totaling $205,311 for projects that will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Rhode Island. The funds are from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. Specialty crops are defined by this federally-supported program as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, and nursery crops including floriculture and turf grass production.

“We’re pleased to award these grants for projects that will help strengthen markets for specialty crops, sustain the livelihood of Rhode Island farmers, and promote the long-term viability of agriculture in our state,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

The farm viability grants will be used for a wide range of purposes, such as increasing purchase of specialty crops by local schools, creating African vegetable markets in select stores in African and Latino neighborhoods, and supporting agricultural research at the University of Rhode Island.

DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Resources Marketing received 11 applications for the grants. Following is a list of projects awarded funding through the grant round:

  • $50,000 to Farm Fresh Rhode Island, to increase specialty crop purchases by local public schools by continuing to provide technical assistance to food service management companies and local farmers; making connections resulting in local specialty crops on the menu at schools, hospitals, care facilities, senior meal sites and worksite cafeterias; and building demand for local specialty crops through classroom and worksite education programs. Matching funds cover the costs associated with non-specialty crop items;
  • $20,000 to the African Alliance of Rhode Island, to provide access to African vegetables grown in urban vegetable-growing parcels by creating African vegetable markets in pilot corner stores in African/Latino neighborhoods that will incorporate native African vegetable education programs and cooking demonstrations;
  • $17,000 to the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island, to provide training for specialty crop farmers in the use of organic production techniques;
  • $10,500 to Beanhouses Inc. and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, to determine if there are any varieties of dry beans that can be grown in Rhode Island, and make dry bean production an affordable option for farmers by conducting variety trials and demonstrating a bean thresher and bean winnow to growers;
  • $31,865 to the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, to improve yield and quality of melons by testing innovative methods of protecting melons from striped cucumber beetle damage throughout the crop cycle while minimizing risks to bees. Successful control methods will be shared with interested growers through Vegetable Twilight Meetings hosted by the Cooperative Extension, and through the newly web-accessible “RI Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin;” and
  • $35,000 to Alex Caserta, to promote Rhode Island specialty crop growers and educate consumers about locally-produced specialty crops by working with the Rhode Island Public Broadcasting Service and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association to develop a pilot television series promoting specialty crops.

In addition to the grants, $40,946 in funding is provided to DEM’s Division of Agriculture, to continue to increase demand and consumption of Rhode Island-grown specialty crops by expanding on the “Rhode Island Grown Get Fresh Buy Local” initiative through produce preparation demonstrations featuring local celebrity chefs at all RI farmers markets and participating roadside stands; updating its RI agricultural display; enhancing the marketing program by making point-of-purchase advertising material available to farmers; and introducing electronic benefit transfer banking to farmers markets to allow federal nutrition benefit recipients to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Matching funds will be used to cover non-specialty crops and producers.

RI School Districts Spend 11 Percent of Food Budgets Buying Local Products, According to New USDA Report

Director Coit pointed to Farm Fresh Rhode Island as a good example of an effort that is regularly supported by the specialty crop grant program. Today, Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a successful organization supporting the local food system that sponsors the Farm to School program, which is aimed at increasing the consumption of locally-harvested fruits and vegetables by Rhode Island school students. In addition, Farm Fresh Rhode Island also sponsors a host of farmers’ markets including one year-round market; distribution channels for bringing locally-grown products to restaurants, worksites, hospitals, grocers, schools, food pantries and community centers; and special events such as the Local Food Forum held annually at Brown University.

As indicated in USDA’s first-ever Farm to School Census which was released today, Rhode Island has a very high participation rate in farm-to-school programs, which was reported at 100 percent among the census respondents. The state’s responding school districts spent $1.1 million, or approximately 11 percent of their school food budgets buying local fruits and vegetables. “There’s nothing better than biting into a freshly-picked apple or ear of sweet corn from a local farm, and thanks to the farm-to-school program, students across Rhode Island can enjoy these delicious, healthy foods as part of their school lunch,” said Director Coit. “Plus, more than 95 percent of the responding school districts said they will but more local foods in the future. This is a real win-win for our students and Rhode Island’s agriculture industry.”

Sheri Griffin, co-executive director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island said, “Support from the specialty crop program has created important successes for the RI Farm to School program. All of Rhode Island’s public school districts purchase locally-grown specialty crops, with support from Farm to School Coordinator Kim Clark providing technical assistance to school purchasers and farmers alike. Kim is also able to provide agricultural education programs for students in these districts, with lessons that touch on math, history, business and environmental topics. We are so fortunate to be able to secure this funding for this important work.”

DEM’s Division of Agriculture oversees numerous efforts designed to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island, including locally-produced milk, meats and locally-harvested seafood, farmers’ markets, and buy local and agri-tourism programs. “All across our state we can see the tremendous growth of agriculture, from the expanded network of farmers’ markets to the promotion of local foods in our outstanding restaurants,” noted DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Island’s $1.7 billion green industry – and the 12,300 jobs it supports – is a bright spot in the economy of our beautiful state, thanks to growing consumer interest in products grown locally. On top of these economic benefits, agriculture also contributes to tourism, open space, quality of life, and access to local foods and horticultural products.”

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