The Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance creates sustainable connections for local farmers and fishers with food pantries, food rescue organizations, and food distributors, and other partners so that Rhode Islanders in need of fresh, local, culturally-appropriate food have better and more consistent access to it.
We’re growing strong! Check out our 2023 Impact Report
This alliance is working to ensure that our local emergency feeding system serves as a reliable wholesale market for local producers and harvesters, while also becoming more resilient to supply chain shocks from public health emergencies and climate-related disasters. This initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP).
FOUNDING PARTNERS
Together, we purchase food from over 80 farm and 25 seafood partners throughout the state to ensure Rhode Island households, regardless of income or circumstances, have access to nutritious food to help lead healthy lives.
HOW IT WORKS
DISTRIBUTION POINTS
GET INVOLVED
Food Producers
We offer a fair market price for produce and seafood, regardless of grade. Reach out to coordinate with us.
Food Buyers, Deliverers, and Distributors
Add locally-produced foods to supplemental food options for our neighbors.
Legislators
We are experts on what policies and programs need support from lawmakers. Let us be a resource to you.
Public Agencies
We can support your food access work with resources and connections that amplify the benefits of the programs you run.
Concerned Citizens
Support fellow Rhode Islanders in ensuring that this initiative can continue.
Funders
All of our partners are nonprofits that need your support to continue. If you are interested in funding this initiative, please contact us.
2024 ALLIANCE MEETINGS
Join us to connect and learn about what’s happening with the Alliance.
Click on any meeting below to register.
Virtual Member Meeting
Monday, February 12
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Virtual Member Meeting
Monday, May 13
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Virtual Member Meeting
Monday, August 19
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Virtual Member Meeting
Monday, November 18
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MEETING recordS
February 12
May 13
August 19
November 18
PROUDLY WORKING TOGETHER
Alliance members are Rhode Island businesses and organizations that sell or buy local food to feed our food insecure neighbors.
These badges help us promote our shared effort of working to build more resiliency into our local food system. Where is Rhody Feeding Rhody in your community?
HOW IT WORKS EXPLAINED
Local Food Producers
We are Rhode Island farmers and seafood businesses of all sizes who enter into purchase agreements with aggregators like Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Southside Community Land Trust, and the RI Commercial Fisheries Center, who commit to buying certain crops and species from us for a fair price.
Aggregation Points
We are organizations including Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Southside Community Land Trust, and the RI Commercial Fisheries Center who purchase fresh, local, nutritious food from Rhode Island farmers and seafood businesses of all sizes, and deliver it to emergency food access organizations of all types, including food pantries, churches, and community centers.
Hunger Relief Organizations
We provide fresh, locally-grown and harvested food to people in need, with a focus on culturally-relevant food for underserved communities. Some of us deliver prepared food daily, others provide a bag of groceries weekly and still others offer a prepared community meal once or twice a month.
NEWS & UPDATES
Connecting Rhode Islanders in need to fresh, local food should be a priority October 29, 2024, Boston Globe
Year 1 Rhody Feeding Rhody Impact Report
Food for Thought: Create New England Regional Food System That Addresses Climate Crisis, Feeds Everyone, July 27, 2023, ecoRI News
Rhode Island Food Policy Council awarded $498K grant to fortify RI’s emergency
food network while supporting local farms and fisheries”, October 19, 2022, RI Food Policy Council