Rhode Island Food Policy Council

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Rhode Island Food Policy Council

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Building a more just and resilient food system for all Rhode Islanders. Independent, 501c3

We envision a day when Rhode Island’s food system will be a national model because of the strength of its local food system and its success at achieving community food security and optimal public health. We envision a Rhode Island where safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is accessible and affordable in every RI community, and in which an increasing proportion of the state’s food supply is raised, caught and processed locally. We envision a Rhode Island in which the local food system is a growing component of the state’s economy, a connecting framework for stakeholders across multiple sectors (production, distribution, access, public health, and resource recycling), and a creator of new jobs and cottage industries that contributes to the State’s long-term economic viability.

10/16/2026

Today is World Food Day!

WFD is a worldwide day dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to sufficient, diverse, safe, and nutritious food while protecting our planet. On this day in 2011, a group of community leaders founded the Rhode Island Food Policy Council with a shared vision for a better food system. Fifteen years later, we're proud of the growing impact we've made across the state and excited for what's ahead!

Some of that impact includes helping pass the Local Agricultural and Seafood Award grant program. The program opens today, and technical support is available for applicants!

But that work also continues through our ongoing efforts today. Want to help us shape the next 15 years? use our link in the comments.

10/14/2026

We’re hiring! 📣

The Food Policy Council is seeking a part-time Communications Associate to help tell the story of Rhode Island’s food system, engage our statewide network, and build awareness and support for our food policy priorities.

This 20-hour/week position pays $27,000/year plus retirement contributions and is primarily remote, with flexible hours and approximately two in-person meetings or events per month.

We’re looking for a strong writer and collaborative, organized communicator with experience in social media, websites, newsletters, and media engagement. Knowledge of Rhode Island’s food system and media landscape is a plus.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SQXiy2PvYvNmfGbgGgR4CegHArSuHA-F/view? usp=drive_link

10/12/2026

On this Indigenous People's day we want to acknowledge the contribution of our indigenous ancestors and express gratitude for the continued knowledge and efforts that help us all keep working towards a better and more just food system in Rhode Island.

10/08/2026

We're excited to tell you about this fall's interns!

Joining us from Brown University is Wykendrick Jones. A Master's of public health student, Wykendrick has extensive experience in food systems research and policy development, ranging from his time at Tougaloo College, including serving as a Delta Greens Food is Medicine Research Fellow, and beyond. He now joins us as our Advocacy Outreach Intern. We're looking forward to working with Wykendrick as he supports our efforts to engage with council members and external stakeholders and prepare to advocate on behalf of council policies in the 2027 legislative session.

Joining us from is Susie Rhim. Susie is a PhD candidate in sociology who will be serving as our Wasted Food Learning Community Research Fellow. One project the Food Policy Council is currently working on includes working to provide municipalities with resources/learnings to make the best decisions for their communities on addressing wasted food equitably and effectively. Susie will help us understand the best ways to structure our efforts and share learnings across the state.

For more information on Susie, Wykendrick, or the rest of our staff, please visit our website!

10/07/2026

Did you know the Food Policy Council offers composting education around the state of RI? We partner with local organizations, libraries, community centers, etc to get the word out about why it's important, teach you how you can start at home, and ways you can contribute if that's not an option for you.

On October 27th, we have a powerhouse set of folks joining us to really demonstrate all the ways to get involved in the Capital City. We hope to see you there at The Refill Shop at Epic Renewal 23 Acorn St Unit 11C, Providence, RI 02903 Groundwork Rhode Island Harvest Cycle Compost

Can't make it but want to see a workshop in your community? Get in touch!

10/01/2026

As we start October we want to take a look back at September and thank everyone who joined us for our annual Policy Retreat. This annual event brings together students, educators, advocates, food industry experts, composters, farmers, food businesses and so many more. We get to know each other, and then we dig into what the most pressing issues the community wants to see addressed in the food system this coming year.

We sorted through the factors impeding progress: the ones folks thought were most important and the ones folks felt we could most impact. Through meaningful conversations between attendees, we identified issues like Healthy School Meals for All, Local Values-Based Procurement, and Funding for Wasted Food Reduction Programs. We also identified some issues to explore more about how we could impact in the future, like Regenerative Agriculture and Food Is Medicine.

And of course we ate good food! Wanna know how you can take part moving forward? Check out the comments below!

09/24/2026

Now's the time to get involved with the Food Policy Council- Join now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JoinUs2026-27!

This year's priorities include local food purchasing, healthy school meals for all and reducing wasted food.

There are so many ways to get engaged and make a difference for the state we love. Check out our Engagement Pyramid to see how you can play a role!

09/23/2026

The Rhode Island food community knows our rights! ICE may not enter any property, indoors or out, where permission has been denied. Post this sign to show that you know and protect the rights of your neighbors. Download at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XD0iBB5a-ZNr1Q9IwHVVyAvCCj10WKtq/view?usp=drive_link

09/22/2026

Telling your story can change RI food policy (and the world!) Learn how by registering at the link in our bio or at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6-Hrt6PXSGmbOjPFFBKPVg #/registration

09/02/2026

"Local Food Should be a Gubernatorial Issue". We and the RI Foodways Alliance agree! That's why the RI Food Policy Council was proud to put out our first-ever Gubernatorial Candidates' Food System Questionnaire. We got some great responses from the candidates who responded (link in the comments). And we are excited to see Ecori News cover the Questionnaire and for Frank to give his always unique takes on their responses. Article also linked in the comments. Hope you'll check them out!

Address

82 Smith St
Providence, RI
02903

Website

http://www.rifoodcouncil.org/

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