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I am writing this update from an Amtrak train home from Washington D.C., where I spent the week advocating with other members of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. As the only Rhode Island member, it is up to RIFPC to make sure that Rhode Island farmers’...
2025 in review: A roller coaster of federal grant cuts, increased network engagement Dear network members, To say that 2025 has been a roller coaster would be an understatement. We started the year by launching our largest project to date: the From Food Waste to...
As a three-year USDA grant to fund the Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance wraps up this month, the program can boast of hefty numbers with significant impact, including: $514,049 in purchases from at least 50 R.I. farmers, fishers, other food producers 256,500 lbs of...
Close to 100 attendees gathered on September 8 at the Providence Public Library for Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s Policy Retreat. The annual event launches the Council’s work on selecting policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The day began with...
RIFPC Director Nessa Richman reports on her June 2024 visit to the first international gathering of food policy councils as well as her visits with local and global food leaders. I visited Rome in June for the Food Policy Councils in Action Workshop with financial...
The federal budget reconciliation bill, signed into law on July 4, slashed SNAP benefits by nearly $186 billion and ended programs that support the majority of growers and rural communities. In the bill’s wake, RIFPC has joined with elected officials and other food...
RIFPC learned in late July that the U.S. Department of Agriculture was cancelling the remainder of a three-year grant for beginning farmers and ranchers because of the grant’s focus on DEI. The $738,000 grant was first awarded in September 2023 with the goal of...
Two recent graduates of Brown University joined the Rhode Island Food Policy Council this summer as research interns focusing on projects related to food waste composting. Amaya Allen, our compost policy research intern, earned an economics degree on the public policy...
RIFPC’s new Business Support resource hub is fully live on our website. Farmers, fishers, and other Rhode Island-based food entrepreneurs can search the offerings of 20-plus groups that offer valuable training and services free of charge. Among the organizations...
This month Blong Yang wraps up his six months as RIFPC’s seasonal outreach coordinator. He concentrated his work on building relationships among farmers of color in Rhode Island, especially Cambodian, African, and Hmong communities. Blong’s background includes work in...
Michael Adams, center left, resident manager of the compost and garden at Open Doors, a permanent supportive housing location in Providence and a graduate of Garden Time’s Green Reentry program, shows visitors his composting and garden beds during a Compost Awareness...
LASA award winners include (from left) Journey Basham from Lucayda Farms in Cranston; Bill Gardner and Wicked Tiny Farm in Narragansett; and Graham Watson at West Passage Oyster Company in North Kingstown. In late March 2025, Rhode Island’s Department of Environmental...
A recent announcement from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank that truckloads of more than 500,000 pounds of food scheduled to arrive between April and August were cancelled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is just one of multiple ripple effects of a...
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...
On Tuesday, March 11, nearly 250 wasted food generators, composters, food recovery organizations, regulators, legislators, and many others came together to network, trade ideas, and learn more about compost and the wasted food ecosystem at the 2025 RI Compost...
Two weeks ago, Nessa and I traveled to Washington, DC, as part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s (NSAC) Winter Meeting and their lobby day. As part of the lobby day, we met with all of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation. We asked Sen. Reed,...
WEEKLY UPDATE March 3 Over 35 bills were added to the bill tracker this past week. The bills spanned nearly every category we track. Food Business continues to be our largest category with over 30 bills. In total, we’re following 132 bills already introduced this...
WEEKLY UPDATE February 24 Our bill tracker is following nearly 90 bills! Last week, the General Assembly was on recess, limiting the number of bills introduced. Only 10 bills – all on the Senate side – were added to the tracker as a result. A couple of the most...
WEEKLY UPDATE February 24 Our bill tracker is following nearly 90 bills! Last week, the General Assembly was on recess, limiting the number of bills introduced. Only 10 bills – all on the Senate side – were added to the tracker as a result. A couple of the most...
WEEKLY UPDATE February 10 Another 15 bills were added to the bill tracker this week. These additional bills spanned nearly all of our bill tracker categories. Below is some of the most notable legislation. SB215 - increasing the minimum wage for employees receiving...
WEEKLY UPDATE February 2 Another 100+ bills were introduced last Friday as General Assembly members have settled into the session this year. Approximately 20 bills were added to our bill tracker, with the majority being in the “Food Businesses” category. Read more...
To those of you who joined us at our annual Network Retreat this year, THANK YOU! It was a great success! On Thursday, January 23, more than 80 volunteers gathered for RIFPC’s annual Network Retreat to create a safe space for people who want a more equitable and...
WEEKLY UPDATE January 26 Over 90 bills were introduced last week - with more than 20 that will have food systems impacts in RI. The majority of these bills fall under our food business category, as is common nearly every session. Read more about some of the bills...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS This RFP is funded by our EPA “From Food Waste to Opportunity” grant. This grant has been “paused”...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS This RFP is funded by our EPA “From Food Waste to Opportunity” grant. This grant has been “paused”...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Research and Analysis: Enforcing RI’s Compost Laws The Rhode Island Food Policy Council seeks a...
WEEKLY UPDATE January 20 Bill introductions have been slow since the session began a couple of weeks ago. Only one new bill has been added to the tracker since last week. HR5074 requests that RI Resource Recovery Corporation conduct a waste audit of the State House....
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? WE'RE HIRING! Community Climate Justice Project Managers We seek two self-motivated, outgoing, full-time Community...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? WE'RE HIRING! Grant and Finance Director The Rhode Island Food Policy Council seeks a full-time Grant and Finance...
Dear Friends and Colleagues, The Food Policy Council had another year of tremendous growth in 2024. We launched new staff and new programs, saw another big expansion in our network membership, and achieved a whole new level of advocacy at both the state and federal...
SAVE THE DATE! 2025 RI Compost Conference & Trade ShowTuesday, March 11, 2025 8:15-3:30pmat Rhode Island College Hosted by Rhode Island College and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council The annual Rhode Island Compost Conference & Trade Show brings together...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Environmental Protection Agency awards the RI Food Policy Council $18.7M to launch major food waste, climate resilience, and community capacity-building project Providence, RI (December 18, 2024) – The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC)...
2025 Farm Business Accelerator Applications open! Co-hosted with Polaris MEP, these sessions are designed for agriculture or aquaculture business owners. We will cover essential information to get your business started OR strengthen an existing one. We also provide...
Left to right: Rep. Michelle McGaw, Sen. Linda Ujifusa, Rep. Deborah Fellela, Sen. Robert Britto, Rep. Terri Cortvriend, Sen. Hanna Gallo, event cohost Rep. Jennifer Boylan, Sen. Mark McKenney, Sen. Alana DiMario, Sen. Bridget Valverde (not pictured: event cohost Sen....
Submit a speaker proposal for the 2025 Rhode Island Compost Conference! Apply by Friday, November 29, 2024 Each year this conference attracts a wide array of speakers and attendees, from composters to food rescuers, to regulators to academics, to students, concerned...
As you know our landfill is rapidly filling leading to increasing municipal tipping fees. At the same time food waste rotting in landfills is one of the leading sources of methane emissions in the country. Over the last several months the Rhode Island Food Policy...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, FOOD CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT The RI Food Policy Council seeks a full-time Program Associate for the...
Are you passionate about promoting a more equitable, accessible, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable food system in Rhode Island? Seasonal Outreach Coordinator The RI Food Policy Council seeks a part-time paid Seasonal Outreach Coordinator. The...
2024 Legislative Session Debrief During this legislative session, a total of 262 bills with impacts on food systems were introduced in the General Assembly. Of these, 60 bills successfully became law. There were also several key food systems programs included in the...
We are hiring part-time, paid interns for various positions, to join the Rhode Island Food Policy team! Available internships include: Engagement & Storytelling Intern Food Climate & Environment (FCE) Intern Local Food Economy Intern Municipal Food Systems...
Policy for the People 2024 Rhode Island's laws affect us all! Join us for a free detailed but approachable educational series for anyone who wants to better understand the state of local food policy, how it relates to what’s happening on a national and global scale,...
The initial goal of the Wasted Food Solutions Action Network (WFSAN) is to create the first Rhode Island Food Waste Action Plan. To do that we are reaching out to stakeholders who work to eliminate food waste and prevent wasted food in various ways, understanding...
Rhode Island Stories is a platform dedicated to highlighting the efforts and achievements of various programs and organizations working to improve the state’s food system. These stories spotlight Rhode Island agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals, each...
Dear Chairman DiPalma and members of the Senate Finance Committee, Thank you for supporting $5M in the state Green Bond for agricultural land preservation! We would like to reshare our other budget and finance-related priorities with you, as the legislature...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Allison Montagnonallison@rifoodcouncil.org Alrie McNiff Danielsalrie.daniels@point32health.org Rhode Island Food Policy Council receives $200,000 from Point32Health Foundation Rhode Island – [August 1, 2024] – Rhode Island Food Policy...
The Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is leading the planning process to develop the Rhode Island Food System Preparedness and Recovery Plan. We are seeking broad stakeholder input to create a strong plan so our state is ready to respond to and recover from...
Request for Proposals: The Rhode Island Food Policy Council seeks a contractor to support outreach to Rhode Island municipalities to assess their interest in initiating/expanding food waste composting. Background The central landfill in Johnston, Rhode Island is...
Circle this Wednesday, April 10th, on your calendar! It’s what we’re dubbing a "Triple Header Day," as the House Finance Committee gears up to review not one, not two, but three crucial bills at 4pm in room 35 of the State House. In preparation, we're asking you to...
On March 28th, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council held its first-ever Good Food Policy Day at the State House! More than 100 network members from across the state gathered in the Bell Room to raise awareness about how state policy can support a just and resilient...
Support local farmers in obtaining a restricted receipt account with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). This type of account allows farmers to retain the fees collected by the DEM from local agricultural businesses, which amount to...
The RI Food Policy Council seeks a part-time, paid Community Food Security Research Intern. The primary objective of the person in this role is to complete an assessment that identifies and quantifies current funding gaps in advancing long-term community food...
Join the RI Food Policy Council’s “Good Food Advocacy Day” at the Rhode Island State House on Thursday, March 28 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM! Meet food system leaders and experts in the Bell Room to share in learning how important our local food system is to Rhode Island’s...
ROUNDTABLE FOR LEGISLATORS Thriving by Healthy School Meals for All, Friday, March 15, 2024, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PMDear State Legislators, Please join us for a virtual roundtable discussion with Rhode Island students and school meal experts to learn how Healthy School...
Last week, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council was invited by a participating farmer to a meeting with the Rhode Island Governor, Governor McKee, and other local farmers, to fight for farmland preservation funding in Rhode Island. Pictured: BACK: Andrew Morley, Sweet...
This Wednesday, March 6, the Rhode Island House Finance Committee will review a bill, HB7550, that would provide $5 million for farmland protection and $9 million for open space and forest management in the upcoming Green Bond. The current proposal for the Green Bond...
Thank you to everyone who attended the Growing Produce Prescription Programs in Rhode Island Summit!We are grateful to yesterday's panelists for their encouraging and insightful words, and to all attendees for sharing reflections and vision for Fruit & Vegetable...
The Rhode Island College Compost Conference will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 9am-3pm. Learn about composting in Rhode Island and hear about solutions that benefit community and the environment. There will be guest speakers and workshops where attendees...
JANUARY 17, 2024 --- The Rhode Island Food Policy Council Urban Farmer Advocacy Work Group, along with businesses, organizations, and engaged Rhode Islanders, has submitted a letter to Senator Ruggerio and Speaker Shekarchi. As the state legislature arranges its...
Join the Counting on RI's Food System: Data and Trends to Bring Justice and Resilience in 2024 Webinar to explore the latest insights from the 2024 Rhode Island Food System Factbook. This essential resource delivers in-depth analyses of Rhode Island's local food...
The Small & Urban Farms Video was created as part of efforts to get the word out about the urban and small farms success (H7684) bill. This video is to show legislators that farms are here, and gives them an opportunity to talk about what farming means for them...
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the 2024 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grantees at Newport Vineyards. More than 40 local farmers,...
WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to promote economic opportunities for farmers, fishermen, and food producers, strengthen the nation’s food supply chain network, and increase access to locally-grown, nutritious food in underserved communities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed...
JANUARY 9, 2024 --- The Rhode Island Food Policy Council, businesses, organizations, and fellow concerned Rhode Islanders submitted a letter to Governor McKee imploring them to prioritize making excess food donation a common practice among Rhode Island businesses by...
The Surplus Food Donation Work Group is calling for participation from Rhode Islanders to support their goal of passing legislation for a tax credit for businesses that donate surplus food. The group aims to help make excess food donation a common practice among Rhode...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSRhode Island Food System Preparedness and Recovery Planning Process About the Rhode Island Food Policy CouncilThe Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) is an independent statewide network established in2011 with a mission to promote a more...
On October 18, RIFPC announced its 2024 Legislative Priorities to an audience of more than 40 state representatives, senators, state officials, staff from congressional delegates' offices, and Council members at East Greenwich’s Boesch Farm, the home of Pat’s...
The Rhode Island Food Policy Council seeks a contractor to produce monthly newsletters and support web-based communications and updates. This contractor reports to the Engagement Manager. The deliverables for this contract are to: Produce high-quality monthly...
Candidates running for Rhode Island's open Congressional District 1 seat were invited to answer our short questionnaire to share their thoughts about important issues that will impact Rhode Island's food system. Candidates responses: Are you aware that the latest...
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...
For nearly two decades, Rachel has been working with policymakers, community-based organizations and under-represented communities to increase equitable access to and control of the resources we need to live healthy lives. Food policy and food equity have been strong...
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...
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...
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...
NEW ENGLAND FOOD ADVOCATES RELEASE NEW RESEARCH ON THE STATE OF THE REGION’S FOOD SYSTEM: Report shows Rhode Island food consumption far outpaces its production ability June 5, 2023 (PROVIDENCE, RI) - A new report puts forth a regional goal of producing and consuming...
It’s crunch time! With little more than a month left, the General Assembly is in overdrive right now. Hearings are taking place and bills are being heard, considered, and voted on! Over 2000 bills have been introduced this year, and RIFPC’s bill tracker is currently...
“If you want to be proud of yourself, you have got to do things you can be proud of.” ― Oseola McCarty Earlier this month, Associate Director Josh Daly and Communications Manager Allison Montagnon visited Jackson, MS for a first-of-its-kind national gathering of food...
Learn how your municipality can support farmers and food businesses, ensure that all residents have access to fresh, healthy, culturally-relevant food, and lower landfill tipping fees by reducing food waste. We will share our newly updated municipal data factsheets...
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...
ADVOCACY IS FOR ALL! Solutions for diverting wasted food from the landfill is a core focus this legislative session. Our Wasted Food Solutions work group (new this year) and network members are especially active this week, as hearings at the State House on both the...
Over 2000 bills have been introduced this year in the General Assembly. There are a little more than 2 months remaining in this legislative session, and RIFPC has been hard at work moving the needle on many of the 155 pieces of legislation in our tracker currently. ...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
The first Hunger Elimination Task Force (HETF) Meeting of 2023 was attended by over 62 participants. Randi Belhumeur from the RI Dept. of Health (RIDOH) welcomed everyone and provided an update on RIDOH’s application to the CDC’s State Physical Activity and Nutrition...
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...
Joan Kwiatkowski, M.S.W., C.A.G.S. Lives in: BarringtonJoined the Council: 2022Profession: CEO of PACE Organization of Rhode Island Joan believes everybody should have an advocate who really hears their voice, and puts that voice in the center of that person’s...
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 –...
On March 20, RIFPC joined Farm Fresh Rhode Island to meet with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse to discuss priorities for the Farm Bill - an "omnibus" piece of legislation that passes every five years. In light severe social and environmental changes we've experienced over...
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...
With over 1800 bills introduced since January, the Rhode Island General Assembly is running full speed towards the end of session now. RIFPC’s bill tracker is currently following more than 135 pieces of legislation that may impact our food system. A little less than 4...
RI Food Policy Council 2023 Farm Bill Priorities The 2023 Farm Bill presents an incredible opportunity to protect agricultural land, expand SNAP access, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the local food system, while improving equity. In alignment with...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Governor Dan McKee recently received a letter from the American Heart Association (AHA) requesting that he include funding for Healthy School Meals for All in the RI 2024 Budget. The RI Food Policy Councils members are in agreement with AHA, but wanted to emphasize...
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...
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...