#localfoodri

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Our weekly e-newsletter — March 24, 2017

Stay informed about local food news from Farm Fresh RI every week with our e-newsletter. This week's edition includes everything from farmers market events to nutrition education updates.

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edibleRhody Spring Edition Features Farm Fresh RI!

From Student-Led Project to Nationally Recognized Organization; Moving Fresh Farm Foods into the Hands and the Kitchens of Rhode Islanders

A huge, warm thank you to Edible Rhody Magazine for the wonderful feature on Farm Fresh Rhode Island in the beautiful new Spring Issue, Petal Power! As always, the magazine uses stunning photography along with timely information to bring us the latest and greatest from Rhode Island’s local food scene. 

As Edible Rhody says: Eat. Drink. Read. Think. Local. The latest issue tells the story of Farm Fresh RI’s start, and outlines some of our most important work growing the local food system — from farmers markets and nutrition eduction to wholesale distribution and local food subscriptions. (There's even a special shout-out to our friends at Four Town Farm!)

There’s also a great article about Wicked Tulips Flower Farm in Johnston, RI (Register to pick your own tulips!!), as well as what’s in season this Spring, the many CSA (community supported agriculture) and CSF (Community Supported Fishery) programs across our state, and much more!

Check it out!

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Twice the Support for Local Food

As we kick off our year-end giving campaign, please consider this special opportunity to make your gift go farther. With your help, we can earn up to $10,000 in matching funds from Newman's Own Foundation now through #GivingTuesday!

Double Your Impact

#GivingTuesday is the national day of giving. From now through November 29, your gift of any size made through Crowdrise.com/FarmFreshRI-GivingTuesday will be MATCHED by Newman's Own Foundation!

How you can help:  

Visit our Crowdrise fundraiser page. There you can watch a short video about Farm Fresh RI, get more info about our programs and impact, invite friends to join the fundraiser — and help us meet our matching challenge goal!

Helping Local Farms & Producers Thrive

From small beginnings as a Brown University student thesis back in 2004, Farm Fresh RI has grown into an impactful non-profit organization implementing programs that enhance the food system of our region—with particular attention to low-income access to fresh food and farm viability.

One of the ways we support local farms is through market-building programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with thousands of RI, MA, and CT farmers.

An example of our impact. In 2015 alone, our Market Mobile transparent wholesale distribution system moved $2,248,898.97 on behalf of small farms and producers in RI, MA, CT. And that’s not counting the other market opportunities other programs create, from institutional buying to farmers markets throughout the state. 

Donate today through November 29 to have your gift matched!

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Wintertime Farmers Market Opens for Season!

Saturday, November 5  — 9am to 1pm

Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Wintertime Farmers Market is opening for its 10th season on November 5, 2016. The largest indoor farmers market in New England, it will be open every Saturday through April 29, 2017 from 9am to 1pm — this year including both December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 31 (New Years Eve). That means extra holiday shopping opportunities for consumers and more chances to support local businesses.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the wintertime market, Farm Fresh Rhode Island will be hosting special events, cooking demos, give-aways, and sales throughout the season. Ever growing, the 2016-2017 Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market will be home to a bustling community of shoppers, families, musicians, artists, growers, and artisans gathering over a shared interest in delicious locally grown foods. 

The market will feature over 80 new and returning vendors selling a huge array of local products, from fresh produce, seafood, poultry, meats, and cheeses to baked goods, prepared foods, herbal remedies, seasonal flowers and wreaths… and so much more! For more information: farmfreshri.org. The Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers Market is located in two spacious hallways at 1005 and 999 Main St., Pawtucket, RI 02860. The R-Line bus literally stops at the market’s front door. Multiple parking lots are provided for convenience, and street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Ramp accessibility is located at the 999 Main St entrance and in the building’s center courtyard.

From Humble Beginnings — 10 Years of Supporting Local Growers “Let’s just do it. Let’s find a place!” That was how it all started, seemingly simple words that transformed years of dreaming into a realistic way to support RI food producers all year long. Farm Fresh RI Co-Executive Director Sheri Griffin was there, then just starting at the fledgling nonprofit. Griffin along with Farm Fresh RI founders Louella Hill and Noah Fulmer knew that local growers need a consistent marketplace to thrive, even after the New England temperatures start to dip. But asking for a commitment from vendors and pulling together all the logistics were far from a sure thing.

“At first, we weren’t even certain it would fly,” explains Griffin. “As a grower, it’s one thing to

need a marketplace. It’s another to be able to dedicate valuable time and resources to test new waters.” In fact, the market may not have gotten off the ground in 2007 without integral support from AS220, a Providence gallery and forum for the arts that donated space and tables for that first wintertime market. But the market was a hit almost immediately — thanks to Hill Orchards, Simmons Farm, Matunuck Oyster Farm, Earth Essence Herbals, Wishing Stone Farm, Jack’s Snacks and Whispering Elms Farm blazing the trail, and Farm Fresh RI rounding out the market with buy-in from other small vendors. So, after that first season, Griffin and team were again in search of a space to house the growing demand.

By the following November, 2008, the market had moved to its current home in the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, after recommendations by Farm Fresh RI friends and market partners New Harvest Coffee Roasters and Seven Stars Bakery, which had already set up shop in the building. Jumping dramatically from 7 to 51 vendors in just its second year, the market’s success was a boon, and it has continued to thrive in the years since. In Fall 2012, with the market bursting at the seams, Farm Fresh RI expanded the market into two hallways — as it will continue to be this, the 10th year!

“The Wintertime Market has made a real difference to a lot of local growers,” explains Griffin. “Having a stream of income from the other eight months of the year can help make or break small food & agra businesses. And our community is hungry for what they catch, grow and create. Making these connections is what Farm Fresh RI is all about.”

Cash, Credit/Debit, EBT Accepted The market accepts cash, check, credit/debit, and EBT. For shoppers using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, Farm Fresh RI provides a 40% bonus! Customers simply swipe their EBT card at any of the market Welcome Tables and receive tokens to spend on groceries at the market. For every $5 swiped on EBT, shoppers get $2 FREE Bonus Bucks to buy fresh fruits and vegetables — and the tokens never expire!

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Rhode Island Foundation Honors 100 Years, 100 Stories — Featuring Farm Fresh RI

We are proud to be among those featured by the Rhode Island Foundation in honor of its "100 Years, 100 Stories" centennial celebration. We are extremely thankful for the Foundation’s integral support throughout the life and growth of our organization!

Read the full article.

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Planning Underway for Agriculture Center in Providence

We’re grateful to be receiving funding from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to support our plans to promote the Food and Agriculture sector in RI. And we're excited to start the planning phase!

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160926/farm-fresh-ri-wins-85000-grant-to-build-agriculture-center-in-providence

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The Blackstone Valley Crop Stops Loop

From the banks of the Blackstone River to the Apple Valley and beyond, farms and farmers markets abound. Whether you want to pick your own, grow your own or simply purchase locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, maple syrup, honey and wine, look no further than the Blackstone Valley. With nearly two dozen family-friendly destinations to choose from, the Loop is a delight for everyone. By following the trail, you can support local farmers while enjoying the scenic vistas of northern Rhode Island.

Click here to download a PDF of the Crop Stops Loop.

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Celebrate Our Farmers Markets!

Now in its 17th season, National Farmers Market Week (NFMW) is an annual celebration sponsored by the USDA to highlight the important role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system. NFMW is held the first full week every August.

How will you honor our local food producers this week? Search by zip code to find a farmers market near you!