Full Network Retreats

For 15 years, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council has been creating shared space for network members to build meaningful relationships, share important knowledge, and be part of powerful conversations about how to create a more just and resilient food system in the Ocean State. Our annual Network Retreat and Policy Retreat ground our collective work in community-engaged action that increases food democracy in Rhode Island. Everyone is invited to join our annual retreats to learn, contribute, and celebrate the our shared roots and prepare to create the future of the food system together!

Annual Retreat

Held in mid-winter, this retreat focuses on network-building. In past years, it has featured a Year In Review, community-building exercises led by skilled racial justice facilitators from Progressive Movement Consultation in Mississippi, and World Café — a methodology for hosting large group dialogue designed to tap into the collective wisdom and creativity of a group to address a particular issue or question.

Policy Retreat

Held in the early fall, this retreat has a goal of selecting policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session. It features the presentation of our Changemaker Award to one outstanding food policy champion in the state Senate and House of Representatives. In includes interactive presentations and discussions of key issues in Food Access & Nutrition Security, Food Business & Economic Development, and Food, Climate & Environment.

You’re invited! No prior policy or advocacy experience is needed. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter to find out when registration opens for these two annual events.

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