Priorities
Food Access & Nutrition Security
All Rhode Islanders deserve consistently accessible, available, and affordable foods and beverages that are culturally relevant and promote well-being. RIFPC works to understand and dismantle barriers to healthy, nourishing food caused by poverty, systemic inequities, limited mobility, and other complexities. Collaboration with partners across Rhode Island, from state-led organizations to community-based programs, ensures these activities are informed by their experiences. We are committed to promoting and implementing strategic solutions that build a more resilient local food system.
RIFPC seeks to eliminate hunger and ensure access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food for all Rhode Islanders.
Food Business & Economy
The Council works to support an economically vibrant food system. We convene food system stakeholders to identify gaps and needs, build stronger network ties, share resources, and advocate for policy change. We also provide no-cost, tailored assistance (business counseling) to food businesses of all kinds, sizes, and stages, from farms, fisheries, and aquaculture, to food makers, manufacturers, and retailers.
RIFPC seeks to engage with government, nonprofit, and business organizations to improve access to capital for food businesses, market access for local food, and address labor and workforce education and issues.
Food, Climate & Environment
A food system that functions optimally is circular and sustainable. Often our current food system takes out more than we put back resulting in wasted resources, poor soils, runoff into our water, and polluted air. The effects of which are often felt most by those already facing the toughest challenges.
RIFPC works with our members across the food system to reduce wasted food, ensure surplus food reaches those who need it, promote composting and compost use to improve our soils, implement sustainable food system practices with farmers and fishermen, and preserving land for farming.
On-Call Advocates Program
On-call advocates raise their voices for good food policy. They write emails and letters, make phone calls and send text messages, and share information with their community to rally more support for policy changes that align with our mission. Anyone can join, anytime!
Policy For The People
Policy for the People is a monthly virtual Lunch and Learn opportunity for anyone who wants to understand the state of local food policy better, how it relates to what’s happening on a national and global scale, key issues that affect changes, and how you can get involved in building a more just and resilient food system for everyone in the Ocean State. Join us!
Join the Council
Our Council is composed of volunteers serving on workgroups that collaborate to build and implement advocacy strategies to meet the challenges of our annual policy priorities. If you have questions about getting involved, reach out! We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Resources for Legislators
State legislators are crucial partners in our work. They stand up every session for our good food policy priorities. When they do, members of the RI Food Policy Council are standing right behind them. Learn more about becoming a legislative champion and making sure all Rhode Islanders have enough to eat and our local farm, fish, and food businesses are thriving.