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Notes from the Field

Questions for Congressional District 1 Candidates

Questions for Congressional District 1 Candidates

Rhode Island's food system matters! Candidates running for Rhode Island's Congressional District 1 seat are invited to answer our short questionnaire to share your thoughts about important issues that will impact a sector that represents $12B in annual sales...

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2023 Legislative Recap

2023 Legislative Recap

This year resulted in several enacted bills with positive impacts on our local food system, and further inroads made on other key food system legislation. Twenty-five bills of the 164 pieces of legislation we tracked became law. Climate Change and Food Business were...

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2023 Work Group Wrap-Up

2023 Work Group Wrap-Up

Throughout the 2023 Legislative Session, RIFPC Work Groups brought their case before legislators in support of bills that would improve the food system. Several RIFPC work groups were deeply involved in educating elected officials and advocating for good food...

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A Successful 2023 Network Retreat!

A Successful 2023 Network Retreat!

On June 13, more than 60 local food champions assembled for an interactive and uplifting day of learning, sharing, and connecting. The annual RIFPC Network Retreat helps set the tone for the entire year, provides the time and space needed to make meaningful...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

New bill introductions have slowed down significantly.  We added just one new bill to the tracker this week, HB6357, which creates green justice zones to further environmental justice for traditionally underserved RI communities.  That bill has been added to our...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: APR 24

Two bills with potential impacts on our food system were added to the tracker this week.   SR935 commemorates April 23-29th as “Quahog Week 2023” in Rhode Island (Sen. DiMario).  This resolution is expected to be voted into law by the Senate this Tuesday....

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Food Recovery for Rhode Island Businesses: May 22

Food Recovery for Rhode Island Businesses: May 22

Virtual Lunch & Learn Do you experience surplus food as a business in the foodservice, hospitality or events industry? Or as an office that hosts catered lunches & events?  Join The Center for EcoTechnology, MEANS Database, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and RIFPC...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: APR 17

The current total number of bills in our tracker is now greater than 140, but no new bills were added this week. However, there are eight committee hearings scheduled that will impact legislation related to the food system: Tuesday, April 18 The House Finance...

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Advocating for farmland preservation as a priority

Advocating for farmland preservation as a priority

ADVOCACY IS FOR ALL! Anyone who supports the preservation of farmland in Rhode Island is encouraged to tell your legislators by sending them an email, calling them, and/or downloading our "FARMLAND IS A PRIORITY" postcard and send it to House Finance Committee...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: APR 10

Two new bills with potential impacts on food businesses were added to the tracker this week. The first, SB661, would codify protections for warehouse workers (introduced by Sen. Ciccone).  The second, SB652, establishes a marina users’ bill of rights that could affect...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: APR 3

Seven bills were added to the bill tracker this week. Two pieces of legislation focus on urban and small farmer taxation, both introduced by Sen. Mack. Two other bills focused on minimum wage increases. For more details on all of the bills added this week, read on...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: MAR 27

New legislation Seven bills with potential impacts on our food system were added to the tracker this week.  Two of these bills would impact commercial fisheries and aquaculture: SB703 – amends the duties of the Marine Fisheries Council (Sen. Sosnowski) SB772  –...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: MAR 20

Our bill tracker has three new bills this week: SB683, SB684, and HB6160. Introduced by Sen. DiMario, SB683 extends COVID-19 moratorium on penalties for food businesses that altered or modified its business to comply with the pandemic emergency declaration. SB684...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: MAR 13

New Legislation Added to the Tracker Last week was another busy week at the State House.  The General Assembly has now introduced over 1800 bills since January.  We added 13 bills to our bill tracker last week, bringing the total tracked to 126. Three bills of note...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: MAR 6

There were 30 bills added to the bill tracker this week. These pieces of legislation were primarily in the areas of food business and climate change. The entire list of new bills can be found below. For more information about each bill, please refer to the appropriate...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: FEB 27

Last week twenty-four bills were introduced in the General Assembly that could have an impact on our food system. The majority of these bills were added in the food business sec NEW BILLSTen new bills with potential impacts on our food system were added to the Bill...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: FEB 20

Last week twenty-four bills were introduced in the General Assembly that could have an impact on our food system. The majority of these bills were added in the food business sector. Notably, there were a number of bills introduced related to our fisheries and...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: FEB 13

Ten House bills with potential impacts on our food system were added to the bill tracker this past week.  Brief descriptions are offered below, and full bill text and additional information can be found in the Bill Tracker.   No Senate bills at all were posted as of...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: FEB 6

This week thirteen bills were introduced in the General Assembly that could have an impact on our food system. Several of these newly introduced bills are also being heard in House Committees this week, as follows:   On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the House Committee...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: JAN 30

This week, five bills with potential food system impacts were introduced in the General Assembly. The majority of the legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives. A brief description of all new bills is below (a full description of the bills is...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: JAN 23

Fourteen bills with potential impacts on our food system were added to the Bill Tracker this week.  Many are continuations from previous years’ bills, including healthy school meals for all, the extended (30 mile) food waste ban, the ban on polystyrene in...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: JAN 16

Five new bills were added to the RIFPC Bill Tracker this week, representing potential impacts on our aquaculture industry, food packaging, using the word "compostable" on labels, and the definition of "solid waste". Three of these bills are highlighted below. Detailed...

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Bill Tracker update: MAY 8

Bill Tracker update: JAN 9

The RI General Assembly began its 2023 session last week.  The Senate and House are still getting organized and committee meetings will not start for at least another week.  A few dozen bills were introduced last week but many of them were resolutions recognizing the...

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2022 Hunger Elimination Task Force Year in Review

2022 Hunger Elimination Task Force Year in Review

Dear Hunger Elimination Task Force (HETF) Community,  In 2022, many Rhode Islanders felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ease. But for residents experiencing food insecurity and the organizations trying to support them, relief never came. Inflation, gas and food...

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RIFPC’s 2023 Strategic Objectives

RIFPC’s 2023 Strategic Objectives

Following the Council's decision on legislative priorities for the coming year, a set of strategic objectives has been developed. In 2023, Council Members, Work Groups, Board, and staff will work to: Increase food access, security, justice, and sovereignty for...

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