Good Food Policy Day: Advocating, connecting, celebrating at the State House
Legislators, advocates, and food system champions gathered at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, March 27 for RIFPC’s Good Food Policy Day, an annual celebration of the power of advocacy.
Mingling in the historic Bell Room, dozens of food advocates shared their expertise and concerns with elected officials. RIFPC staff and volunteers shared information on policy priorities for 2025, including support for local composting, creating a tax credit for surplus food waste donations, providing free school meals to all students, and reducing the tax burden on urban and small farmers.
A highlight of this year’s event were citations passed concurrently in the Senate and House of Representatives honoring RIFPC for its contributions toward a more just and resilient food system for Rhode Island. The honors were the first-ever such acknowledgement of RIFPC’s work from state legislators.
Senator Linda Ujifusa (District 11) introduced a citation recognizing RIFPC and its Council members for steadfast policy advocacy. Her citation was cosigned by Senators David Tikoian, Sam Bell, Susan Sosnowski, Valerie Lawson, and Leonidas Ratakis. Ujifusa presented the resolution to four RIFPC representatives on the senate floor: Diane Lynch, RIFPC president, and Council work group members Rebecca Kelly, Angel Mendez, and Tyson Bottenus. A dozen more RIFPC staff and volunteers attended the session in the senate gallery.
In the House, Representatives June Speakman introduced a resolution declaring March 27 as Good Food Policy Day in Rhode Island and recognized RIFPC’s contributions in promoting fresh food and supporting local farmers and fishers. Her resolution was cosigned by Representatives Joe Shekarchi, Christopher Blazejewski, Michael Chippendale, Jennifer Boylan, Brian Patrick Kennedy, Edith Ajello, Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Kathleen Fogarty, and David Bennett.
In the R.I. Senate chambers, from left: Tyson Bottenus, Rebecca Kelly, Diane Lynch, Angel Mendez, Sen. Linda Ujifusa, Sen. Bridget Valverde.
“Rhode Island currently only grows about three percent of its own food, making us heavily reliant on outside supply chains,” Ujifusa noted. “And although access to fresh, healthy food is a key social determinant of health, too many Rhode Islanders lack it. That’s why the Rhode Island Food Policy Council is so important.”
“Thank you to the food policy council for uplifting the voices of small and urban farms around the state and in my district,” said Senator Tiara Mack (District 6), who welcomed a few of her constituents from small farms including Southside Community Land Trust and the Billy Taylor Sharing Garden. “Small and urban farms are something near and dear to my heart. They are a life source for many of the constituents in my district, especially those who’ve immigrated here and can’t often find food sources that represent their own backgrounds.”
Senator Bridget Valverde (District 35) also voiced support, noting the guidance that RIFPC gives to the state’s elected officials on food policy and that she is collaborating with the Council on a bill to expand composting.
Text of resolutions
R.I. House of Representatives Resolution Declaring March 27, 2025 To Be “Good Food Policy Day” in Rhode Island
Introduced by Representatives Speakman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Boylan, Kennedy, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, and Bennett on Marcy 27, 2025.
WHEREAS, Good Food Policy Day is the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s (RIFPC) annual celebration of the importance of food advocacy, ensuring that all food stakeholders’ voices are heard. People gather to raise awareness about food system issues that RIFPC cares about, and advocates for and speaks directly with legislators about why the RIFPC agenda would make life better for all Rhode Islanders; and
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Food Policy Council advocates for increasing the production of, and the demand for, local food, encourages the development of a thriving and just food economy, ensures access to affordable, healthful, culturally relevant food for all residents, and works towards community health for all residents; and
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Food Policy Council also supports passing legislation that promotes urban and small farm success, healthy school meals, and support for businesses that donate surplus food; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby declares March 27, 2025, to be “Good Food Policy Day” in Rhode Island; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this House also recognizes and expresses gratitude to the RIFPC Board of Directors; Diane Lynch, RIFPC Board President; Rebecca Kelley, RIFPC Food Access & Nutrition Security Work Group; Angel Mendez, RIFPC Food Business & Economic Development Work Group; and Tyson Bottenus, RIFPC Food, Climate & Environment Work Group, for their outstanding work supporting farms, fisheries and food businesses; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Diane Lynch, Board President, Rhode Island Food Policy Council.
Senate Resolution Honoring the Rhode Island Food Policy Council
Introduced by Senators Ujifusa, Tikoian, Bell, Sosnowski, Lawson, and Ratakis, March 27, 2025.
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Food Policy Council established in 02/2011 has been instrumental in promoting resilience, addressing food insecurity, and ensuring sustainable production of and access to nutritious food for all Rhode Islanders; and
WHEREAS, the RIFPC has fostered collaboration, education, and innovation among a diverse range of stakeholders, including volunteers, community organizations, government agencies, farmers, food businesses, and social justice advocates; and
WHEREAS, the RIFPC has led efforts to analyze existing food systems and supported development of plans, including the Rhode Island food strategy to ensure that future food needs of all Rhode Islanders can be met; and
WHEREAS, the RIFPC has been a key advocate for policies that address food insecurity and hunger ensuring equitable access to healthy nutritious food for Rhode Islanders of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, the RIFPC support for local agriculture and sustainability initiatives has strengthened Rhode Island’s economy while safeguarding both the environment and food insecurity for future generations; and
WHEREAS, given the uncertainty of continued national and international support for important food policy work, it is crucial that Rhode Island recognizes and supports RIFPC; and
WHEREAS, the immediate and existential threat of climate change to our food systems, health, and safety make it even more urgent to recognize and support RIFPC; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby honors the Rhode Island Food Policy Council for its outstanding work promoting resilience, addressing food insecurity, and ensuring sustainable production of and access to nutritious food for all Rhode Islanders; and
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby commends the Rhode Island Food Policy Council staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication and expresses its gratitude for their continued leadership and service to the people of Rhode Island.