Resources
Rhode Island Food System: 2019 Snapshots
This fact sheet is one of a series developed for every Rhode Island municipality (and the State as a whole), to give Rhode Islanders a better understanding of our local food system. A food system encompasses all of the processes involved in feeding people: it includes the production, harvesting, and processing of food; its distribution and marketing; its consumption (whether at home, in schools and institutions, or in restaurants); and the recycling or disposal of food waste. The fact sheets present a dynamic “snapshot” of the local food system, and provide data to track and measure progress towards its growth. Data is aggregated from a range of sources, so we invite corrections or additional information that will help us more accurately represent Rhode Island’s local food system.
Definitions and Data Sources
Rhode Island Food System
Production & Harvesting
Farms
The 2012 USDA Census of Agriculture estimates there are 1,243 farms in RI but does not provide data by municipality. No single RI entity maintains a count of farms by municipality. The numbers provided are the best data available at this time. Farms identified as subsistence agriculture are omitted.
Sources: RIDEM, June 2015; Farm Fresh RI; Aquidneck Community Table website; Charlestown Agricultural Preservation Commission website; NOFA RI website; surveys of municipal planning staff, 2016-2018
Aquaculture Farms
Includes all aquaculture farms that lease submerged land in state waters. Individual businesses may have more than one farm, but each farm is counted as distinct.
Source: RICRMC, October 2019
Commercial Fishers
Includes municipal residents who hold any type of commercial fishing license for fish and/or shellfish and/or crustaceans.
Source: RIDEM, September 2019
Community Gardens
Includes public/private properties on which: (1) people raise food for household consumption, and (2) volunteers raise food for food banks/pantries. Home and school gardens are not included
Sources: Numbers compiled as of October 2019 from multiple sources, including Farm Fresh RI, a 2016 survey of religious institutions, and 2016-2018 surveys of municipal planning staff
Processing
Food Processors
Includes processing businesses that process raw fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, and seafood into value-added products.
Source: RIDOH licensee list, accessed October 2019
Distribution
Distributors
Includes business involved in transporting and warehousing raw and processed foods.
Source: RIDOH licensee list, accessed October 2019
Markets
Includes supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores, and food peddlers.
Source: RIDOH licensee list, accessed October 2019
Farmers Markets
Includes WIC program Pop-Up Markets.
Source: Farm Fresh RI; Aquidneck Community Table website; RIDOH WIC Program, June 2019
Farmstands
Includes on-site and on-farm sales
Source: Farm Fresh RI; surveys of municipal planners, 2016-2018
Consumption
Restaurants
Includes full service, limited service, fast food restaurants, cafeterias, dining facilities, and food trucks
Source: RIDOH licensee list, accessed October 2019
Public School District Purchases Locally Grown Produce
Source: USDA Farm to School Census
SNAP and Cash Benefits Spent at Farmer’s Markets
Spending from January – December, 2018
Source: Farm Fresh RI, 2019
WIC and Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program Vouchers Redeemed at Farmer’s Markets (State only)
Spending from January – December, 2018
Source: Farm Fresh RI, 2019
Resource Recovery
Annual Tons of Residential Food Waste
and Commercial Food Waste (State only); Municipal Fee to Landfill Residential Food Waste
Tipping fees are the fees (per ton) paid for waste disposal. Municipal tipping fees at RIRRC are currently $47.00 per ton.
2018 State fee does not include Tiverton which has its own landfill
Source: Estimates provided by RIRRC (2018 waste tonnage)
Licensed Food Waste Recycling Facilities
Includes all composting and/or anaerobic digestion facilities that are currently able to process food waste with a state license.
Source: RIDEM, September 2019
Community Needs and Resources
Participants in SNAP
Source: URI Center for a Hunger Free America adapted from RIDHS, September 2019
Participants in WIC
Source: RIDOH WIC Program, June 2019
Participants Receiving Meals on Wheels Home Delivery
Includes all individuals receiving meals through Meals on Wheels Home Delivery Service.
Source: Meals on Wheels of RI 2018 statistics
Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Meals
Eligibility based on a child’s household income falling below 185% of the federal poverty guideline. Children in foster care, and households receiving SNAP Benefits or in Rhode Island Works Program, and/or enrolled in schools or districts eligible for Community Eligibility Provision are automatically eligible.
Source: 2019 RI KIDS COUNT Factbook, RIDE
Food Pantries
Includes sites that provide free food to households in need.
Source: RI Community Food Bank Emergency Food Assistance Provider List, September 2019; survey of religious institutions, 2016; surveys of municipal planning staff, 2016-2018; RI Coalition for the Homeless Street Sheets, July 2019
Congregate Meal Sites
Includes sites that provide low or no-cost meals in a group setting for individuals in need.
Source: RI Community Food Bank Food Assistance Provider List, September 2019; RI Coalition for the Homeless Street Sheets, July 2019; Meals on Wheels; Aquidneck Community Table website; Senior Services Inc. website; East Bay CAP website; West Bay CAP website