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Susan Sosnowski

The Good Trade Makers Market 2021, photo by Carly Rae Brunault

chefs & restaurants farms news

News Bites: Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grants Now Open / The Good Trade Makers Market Returns / Branchfood Launches RI Operations / BEATNIC Offering BOGO for Beginning of World Vegan Month

by David Dadekian October 25, 2022

written by David Dadekian

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

Gov. McKee, Legislative Leaders, Dem Announce $700,000 Program Funding To Support Food And Seafood Businesses

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Governor Dan McKee, leaders of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announce that $700,000 in Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) programming funding is available to help new and existing food businesses grow and flourish. Enacted in 2012 to “support and develop more robust and self-sustaining agricultural and seafood sectors,” LASA is an important catalyst in strengthening the local food system. Since its enactment 10 years ago, LASA has provided more than $1.4 million through individual program grants up to $20,000.

“The 2022 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants support projects that help with the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or starting green sector businesses, with a particular focus on supporting a diversity of foods and food producers,” said Governor McKee. “LASA is a pillar of our food strategy through which Rhode Island is investing to provide consistent access to safe, healthy, affordable food.”

“The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act has always been about being firmly committed to our constituents and sending the message that we are 100 percent behind local businesses,” said Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, the Senate sponsor of LASA. “Local food gets from farm to table in fresher condition and means fewer trucks on the road, which means less air pollution. LASA encourages more people to eat more local food. This means better health for Rhode Islanders and our environment.”

“In the 10 years since LASA’s inception, a broad and diverse array of businesses and organizations have benefitted from grants including farmers’ markets, family farms, urban agricultural initiatives, oyster growers, cider makers, and dozens of others,” said Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, LASA’s House sponsor. “I am thrilled to see the level of support going into the next round of program grant funding and look forward to seeing how recipients use it to make Rhode Island’s food system more resilient and sustainable.”

“The fiscal 2023 budget was a product of true collaboration between the House, the Senate, and the Administration, and the House is particularly proud to have helped expand the program funding of the LASA grants to an historically high level,” said House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin Abney. “From Newport to North Smithfield, seafood and agriculture are staples of Rhode Island and investing in them by investing in small producers will boost our whole food economy.”

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of the Rhode Island economy, and agriculture and seafood businesses are the backbone of our food system. This significant investment in the LASA program championed by Senator Sosnowski will enhance the great work it does to support Ocean State food producers, strengthen our local food system, and help address food insecurity in our state,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan W. Pearson.

“DEM is always working to get more home-grown food on the table and by supporting local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses, the LASA grants help achieve this,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Growing local and eating local, fresh, sustainable food minimizes transportation costs, reduces carbon emissions, and boosts the local economy while providing the freshest product possible to the consumer.”

The 2022 programming funding priorities include:

Supporting the entry, growth, and sustainability of small or beginning agriculture producers and fishers.
Supporting agriculture producers and fishers that are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Supporting the development of new marketing, promotion, sales, and/or distribution channels.
Supporting the development of new products, including value-added processing capacity.
Fostering new cooperatives, partnerships, and/or collaborations among Rhode Island agriculture producers and fishers and supporting organizations.
Fostering and building capacity for markets connecting local farms and fishers with Rhode Island’s food insecure communities.
Protecting the future availability of agricultural land for producers, including farm transition planning and implementation, and assisting with on farm food safety improvements, including the developing of Food Safety Modernization Act and hazard analysis critical control point standards.

During the 2021 grant program, DEM awarded $250,000 of programming funding in LASA grants to 12 recipients. Eligible entities include for-profit farmers, fishers, producer groups, and non-profit organizations. Applicants must be based in Rhode Island and only small and/or beginning farmers, or producer groups of small or beginning farmers, are eligible to apply for capital grants. Aquaculture operators are considered farmers in the LASA program.

For more information on the LASA Grant program, please visit DEM’s website. Applications should be completed online via the State of Rhode Island Grant’s Management System by Nov. 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM. Grant-related questions should be directed to Ananda Fraser, Chief Program Development in DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment at 401-222-2781 or via email to DEM.LASA@dem.ri.gov.

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. 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.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

The Good Trade Makers Market Returns to WaterFire Arts Center

The large-scale community shopping experience brings nearly 100 independent makers under one roof in Providence for a two-day celebration of creatives and tradespeople.

The Good Trade Makers Market will return to Providence, RI on November 19-20, 2022. This annual event gathers nearly 100 independent makers and small manufacturers of home decor, art, apothecary products, apparel, accessories, and more from all over the country for a weekend-long community shopping experience at WaterFire Arts Center (475 Valley Street, Providence, RI).

“What’s unique about The Good Trade is that we’re not only showcasing the amazing artisans, makers, and manufacturers who are based here in Rhode Island, but we are also welcoming businesses from 11 other states and introducing them to our little city during the weekend,” said event organizer BJ Mansuetti. “Rhode Islanders have long been committed to shopping small, and we believe that creating an inclusive space for creatives to come together before the holidays and sell their handcrafted goods provides an important boost to the local economy.”

Last year’s event brought in 5,000 shoppers from across New England and generated an estimated $300,000 in revenue for participating small businesses over the course of the weekend. “The community response to the event has been overwhelmingly positive, both from the vendor and shopper perspective. In 2021, vendors shared moving personal stories with our team about the life-changing support they received from shoppers, which was especially meaningful after an extremely difficult couple of years for small businesses,” added Mansuetti.

“With a return to live in person events in 2021, The Good Trade Market was such a great success for the art and maker community in New England, driving a much-needed revenue boost for so many small businesses around the holiday season,” said Peter A. Mello, managing director and co-CEO of WaterFire Providence. “We can’t wait to welcome them back to the WaterFire Arts Center again this year. It’s an event that we’re always excited about and look forward to hosting for many years to come.”

The Good Trade will also be bringing back the popular “Plinko for a Cause” this year. A large, interactive fundraising game where shoppers can donate $5 to play to win prizes provided by The Good Trade and their vendors. This year, 100% of the funds donated will benefit The Steel Yard’s Workforce Training Program, a job-readiness initiative that teaches industry safety standards and a wide range of metalworking skills to prepare community members for a career in metalworking.

Advance tickets for The Good Trade are available now for $7 in advance (advance sales end at midnight on November 18th ) and $10 at the door at goodtrademakersmarket.com. Ticket price include a beverage from our sponsors, including a small beer from Proclamation Ale or Trinity Brewhouse, a small cocktail from The Industrious Spirit Company, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, an iced tea from Grany Squibb’s Iced Tea, or a small ice cream from Gather Farm. Other sponsors include Trinity Beer Garden, Gather Glass, Yelp, and Swamp Yankee Art.

Visit @goodtrademakersmarket on Instagram for daily giveaways from now through November 18th.

The Good Trade Makers Market
November 19 & 20, 2022
Noon to 6pm
WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley St.
Providence, RI 02908
More info and tickets: goodtrademakersmarket.com/tickets

Branchfood Launches Rhode Island Operations

Global Food Innovation Platform Celebrates Expansion into the Ocean State

More than 80 food and industry leaders today celebrated the expansion of Branchfood, a global food innovation launchpad, into Rhode Island. First established in Massachusetts in 2015, Branchfood will support stage-two food and beverage startups, foodtech, and agtech companies in the state through a comprehensive set of services including curated events, connections to investors, shared workspaces, and advisory support.

“At Branchfood, we bring food founders and leaders together with corporate partners, investors, and experts to create a platform for collaboration and provide strategic advice to help the sector grow and thrive,” said Branchfood Founder and CEO Lauren Abda. “We are thrilled to expand this work into Rhode Island, where we hope to bolster the state’s already rich food ecosystem to help solve the food industry’s most pressing challenges while also positioning Rhode Island to become an internationally-recognized food innovation leader.”

Earlier this year, Branchfood received funding from a Rhode Island Commerce Network Match Grant to assist Rhode Island’s food-related businesses to grow, scale, and lead the future of the food industry.

“Rhode Island is committed to building a strong local food economy and we see enormous potential for homegrown food entrepreneurs and established innovative food companies to find success in our state,” said Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “Partners such as Branchfood are critical in helping us achieve this vision by supporting and connecting high-growth potential companies to strategic resources as they land and expand in Rhode Island.”

As part of this effort, Branchfood is partnering with the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Providence, which will provide workspace, event venues, and marketing, as well as connections to a robust network of industry professionals and entrepreneurs.

“Innovation is our era’s answer to solving the world’s problems, and CIC supports innovation with every partnership we forge and every business we support,” said Tim Rowe, founder and CEO of CIC. “We’re proud and excited to work with Branchfood to not only grow and strengthen the economy, but also to increase opportunities for entrepreneurs and ultimately tackle complex challenges like food security and food waste.”

Branchfood has successfully supported more than 800 food founders across the region and globally and works with both start-ups and established global food corporations in the consumer products, agricultural, and tech spaces, as well as leading academic institutions and governments. To date, Branchfood’s sister company, Branch Venture Group, has invested more than $3.3M in 15 early-stage food startups.

The celebration kicked off with a panel discussion with some of the state’s most renowned food pioneers, including Lisa Raiola, president and founder of Hope and Main; Todd Blount, president of Blount Fine Foods; and Nicolas Warren, Branch Venture Group Angel Investor. Following the panel, attendees sampled food and drinks and engaged with entrepreneurs at a startup showcase that highlighted 10 local companies, such as Westerly’s Granny Squibb, Barrington’s Big Picture Foods, and Providence’s goTeff.

“We are thrilled to have Branchfood join the food ecosystem in Rhode Island,” said Lisa Raiola, founder and president of food incubator Hope & Main. “Branchfood’s services will advance and accelerate the work that we’ve been doing since 2014 to cultivate a thriving and resilient local food economy. The hundreds of food founders that incubate their start-ups at Hope & Main will find vital support to help them scale to the next level in Rhode Island and the region as Branchfood brings their marketing and manufacturing expertise along with food-focused sources of capital.”

Branchfood’s work in the Ocean State continues on October 6, with a session called the “Ins and Outs” of Scaling a Food Business in Rhode Island, followed by programs including Branchfood’s signature event, Community Table, and financing and investment opportunities for startups and investors in Rhode Island. Additionally, Branchfood and the Cambridge Innovation Center will begin welcoming entrepreneurs and food teams to the 225 Dyer Street location to work and collaborate later this fall. Learn more about Branchfood at branchfood.com and branchventuregroup.com.

World Vegan Month is More Fun with a Friend . . . That’s why BEATNIC is offering a buy one, get one, offer to kick off World Vegan Month!

Did you know that you don’t need to be vegan to enjoy vegan food? Well, of course you did 🙂 but did you know that 90% of plant-based food consumers are not vegan or vegetarian?

Come and join the trend this November with Beatnic’s BOGO offering – you and a friend can enjoy a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE meal from November 1st to November 8th at all Beatnic locations in NYC, Providence, and Boston

Formerly By Chloe, Beatnic provides high quality, fast casual, vegan food, with a little something for everyone including their Guac Burger, Chicky Dippers, and seasonal menu items like their Loaded Shroom Chili or Truffle Melt.

The best part? You won’t have to feel guilty going back for seconds. Even swapping just one meal a week can positively impact the environment and your health (see below).

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Diets of meat eaters create 7x the greenhouse gas emissions and use 10x the amount of water compared to the diets of vegans
A plant-based diet requires only one third of the land needed to support a meat and dairy diet.
The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction

HEALTH BENEFITS

More input of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, etc, provide more fiber and antioxidants to the body
Eating a low fat, high fiber vegan diet could lead to greater weight loss
Eating vegan can lower one’s risk of diabetes and certain cancers

ETHICAL CONSCIOUSNESS

Animals required for a meat diet are kept in overcrowded unethical conditions and are eventually slaughtered

Instructions:

Sign up using the link: https://signup.thanx.com/bychloe/worldveganmonth
Download the app and sign in
See the reward “free entree for a friend when you buy one!”
Visit any Beatnic store, and redeem the reward at the register
To redeem, you must order one entree (salad, burger, sandwich) with both parties physically present to then redeem another entree for free

Terms and conditions:

Must redeem in store. Beatnic team member to swipe reward in app at the register to redeem.
Both parties must be physically present at the register.
Must purchase one entree to get the second of lower cost free.
Limit one per customer.
Must be an active Beatnic account holder or download the Beatnic app using the following link (https://signup.thanx.com/bychloe/worldveganmonth) to join our loyalty program to redeem.

October 25, 2022 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

farms news

News Bites: May 28, 2015 is Rhode Island Agriculture Day at the State House , The Savory Affair Welcomes Leah DeCesare as Business Development Director

by David Dadekian May 27, 2015

written by David Dadekian

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

DEM, Farmers and Aquaculturists to Celebrate Rhode Island Agriculture Day in State House Festivities on Thursday, May 28

Large Selection of Local Foods Available for Sampling

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

To recognize the importance of the state’s $2.5 billion agriculture and green industries, the Department of Environmental Management will host Rhode Island Agriculture Day at the State House on Thursday, May 28.

DEM will announce the award of 15 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grants of up to $20,000 to assist small or beginning farmers and local seafood businesses promote and market their locally grown or harvested products grown in Rhode Island. The program is designed to increase the economic competitiveness of Rhode Island-grown agricultural products and local seafood. “This new initiative is one of many efforts taken by DEM to support local agriculture and our state’s food economy,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Rhode Islanders are eager to grow, eat and promote local food, and this grant program supports the growth of our local food sector to meet the growing demand of consumers.”

This year’s RI Agriculture Day program will include remarks by First Gentleman Andy Moffit as well as Michel Nischan, executive director of the Wholesome Wave Foundation, who will focus on the importance of a sustainable, locally-based food economy. Nischan is speaking to the Interagency Food and Nutrition Policy Advisory Council on the morning of Agriculture Day as well as the City of Providence Healthy Communities Advisory Council the following morning. There are numerous efforts within Rhode Island and state government to focus on an enhanced local food economy including the LASA grant program, which is an innovative partnership between DEM and the RI Food Policy Council, the Rhode Island Foundation, van Beuren Charitable Foundation and the Henry P. Kendall Foundation.

In addition, Senator Susan Sosnowski and Representative Art Handy will talk about the economic value of agriculture, seafood and the local food economy in Rhode Island, and Tess Brown-Lavoie of the RI Young Farmers’ Network will talk about efforts among young farmers in RI to improve the local food economy.

Rhode Island Agriculture Day will showcase Rhode Island’s agriculture industry and all that it brings to the state. Beyond fresh and local produce, meat, nursery stock, sod and Rhode Island’s own Rhody Fresh milk, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries. The event will also continue to highlight the statewide “Get Fresh. Buy Local.” campaign and farmers’ markets.

“All of our state’s natural resource-based functions – agriculture, aquaculture and fishing – result directly in jobs and opportunities to promote Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Thursday’s Agriculture Day celebration is a great opportunity to focus attention on this vibrant industry and educate Rhode Islanders on the many ways that agriculture impacts the local economy and our quality of life.”

As part of the Rhode Island Agriculture Day festivities, over 40 exhibitors will host displays in the State House Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibitors will include farms and local food purveyors, as well as government and non-profit agencies that work with farmers. Coordinated by DEM’s Division of Agriculture, the exhibits will highlight Rhode Island agriculture and the many organizations that collectively participate in its viability.

Large Variety of Locally-Grown Foods Available for Sampling

Several exhibitors will offer food samples, such as stuffed quahogs from Dave’s Marketplace; pizza strips and hermits directly from Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery; assorted cheeses from Narragansett Creamery; oysters from Ocean State Aquaculture Association; johnnycakes from the Kenyon’s Grist and Corn Meal Company; and Rhody Fresh milk and cheese from the RI Dairy Farms Cooperative. Also, fresh cider from Jaswell’s Farm in Smithfield; Cabot Cheese made with milk from RI dairy farms; Rich’s Sweet Heat sauce for RI-grown vegetables and meats will be available for sampling.

Rhode Island has 1,243 farms, mostly family run, which occupy 68,000 acres. The state is a national leader in direct-sales to consumers, with approximately 50 seasonal farmers markets in the state’s urban, suburban and rural areas, eight indoor winter markets, and numerous pick-your-own and farm stand operations. According to the 2014 update to URI’s Green Industry Economic Impact Study, which was highlighted at today’s event, the 3,327 green industry businesses in Rhode Island sustain 15,826 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion annually to our state’s economy.

The Agriculture Day speaking program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Governor’s State Room, and the exhibits will be on display until 5 p.m. in the State House Rotunda.

The Savory Affair Welcomes Event Planning Expert and Author Leah DeCesare as Business Development Director

The Savory Affair Business Development Director Leah DeCesare

The Savory Affair, Rhode Island’s premier event planning and design company, recently welcomed Leah DeCesare as Business Development Director. With years of event planning and public relations experience at a national retailer based in New York City under her belt, East Greenwich resident DeCesare now returns to event design and management with The Savory Affair.

DeCesare has managed weddings and events for large-scale corporate meetings, celebrity appearances, fashion shows, grand opening activities, and customized special events. With a focus on serving her clients, she ran a local parenting support business and founded a nonprofit organization in 2008. With an eye for detail and a love of creative concept development, she most recently initiated and executed a major fundraising campaign and gala to build a medical center in Uganda.

“I am thrilled to be apart of the incredible team at The Savory Affair,” said DeCesare. “There is nothing more rewarding than to work with a client to make their event vision a reality.”

DeCesare is the author of Naked Parenting, manages an active parenting blog, is a contributor to The Huffington Post, and has been published in international journals. Leah received her BS from Syracuse University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a triple major in advertising, marketing, and French. Leah keeps busy with three children. To learn more about DeCesare’s fascinating career and life in her own words, click here!

“We are excited to utilize Leah’s creative direction and arsenal of skills as we continue creating unique and memorable experiences for our clients,” stated Jessica Granatiero, owner of The Savory Affair.

DeCesare’s creativity can be seen first-hand in her most recent Savory Affair blog entry, Outdoor Entertaining Beyond the BBQ. Click here to take a look!

May 27, 2015 0 comment

farms news

R.I. DEM News Release: Governor Chafee, DEM Celebrate RI Agriculture Day at State House

by David Dadekian October 6, 2021

written by David Dadekian

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

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

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

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

This year’s RI Agriculture Day program recognized the 100th anniversary of the RI Fruit Growers Association with the preview of a new documentary film on the state’s apple industry, entitled “Vanishing Orchards.” In addition, the event highlighted a new initiative to promote and market local seafood as well as ongoing programs to maintain the viability of farming in Rhode Island. Farming is an integral part of the state’s economy and provides a valuable contribution to Rhode Island’s open space and quality of life. Beyond fresh and local produce, nursery stock, sod and Rhode Island’s own Rhody Fresh milk, local beef and aquaculture, agriculture contributes to tourism, open space, landscaping businesses, and a variety of food-related industries.

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

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

New Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Logo and Website Unveiled

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

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

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

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

Large Variety of Locally-Grown Foods Available for Sampling

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

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

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

October 6, 2021 0 comment

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