The goal of the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grant program is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island. In 2022, this support was funded via non-state sources in an effort to encourage more applications from underserved applicants and full utilization of expanded funding availability, however, applications are in the English language only, and require the use of technological tools.
LASA funding expanded to $700,000 this year, largely in part thanks to advocacy work by members of the RIFPC network. In order to support more underserved farmers and fishers, RIFPC provided grant preparation support to potential applicants and legislative advocacy in the form of testimony, annual impact reports, and more.
Impacts We’re Proud Of:
- 80+ hours of direct technical assistance provided to applicants
- 70+ applicants served
- 65%+ from socially-disadvantaged communities
- 37 webinar/workshops attendees