This year we:
- Deepened and diversified partnerships with intention to ensure equitable inclusion in the update process of RI’s food strategy, a detailed plan of action for improving the state’s food system by 2030 (due to be published in 2024).
- Advanced critical food access and nutrition security-related policies through leadership roles in the RI Farm to School Network and the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition.
- Helped launch the Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance, a statewide initiative that creates market channels for farms and fisheries businesses into the emergency food system.
- Continued to serve as the state’s convener for the 140+ member Rhode Island Hunger Elimination Task Force, and implemented a new RI Food Access Bulletin monthly newsletter, boasting 473 subscribers and a 41% open rate.
- Co-published the New England Food Vision report as well as a Regional Approach to Food System Resilience report, as part of the New England Food Systems Planners Partnership in support of the 30×2030 goal to have 30% of the food produced in the region consumed in the region by 2030.
Rhode Island’s model of cross-agency communication, planning, and coordination, as well as robust engagement through RIFPC (and other nonprofit and community-based organizations) offers a model for the other New England states as they think about strategically driving investment and policies that strengthen their local food economies. Rhode Island is uniquely positioned to support the regionwide 30×30 goal due to its statewide food system plan, Relish Rhody, its network of food system, agriculture and seafood partners, impactful agricultural lands that produce crops which are primarily consumed in the state, and an emergency food system that has successfully incorporated local food into its distribution.
– Leah Rovner Director, New England Food System Planners Partnership