About Farm Fresh Rhode Island
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2004.

Mission

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health and quality of life of RI farmers and eaters.

Armory Market

Part incubator, part activator, our programs link local farmers and buyers by building RI's capacity in three areas:
Producers → Markets → Eaters

Vision

A New England abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinnertable.

Objectives

  • Preserve Rhode Island farmland and our agricultural and culinary knowledge
  • Build healthier communities
  • Increase access to fresher, tastier food
  • Improve impact of food production and distribution on our environment
  • Strengthen community-based businesses
See also: Our Staff, Our Board, Our Funders, Alum

Donate now. In our small state, your donation goes the extra mile so our food doesn’t have to. Your contribution is tax-deductible.

Market Connections
Growing new models for the local food system

  Overview & Goals Since Partners
Urban Farmers' Markets 7 markets in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket
expand urban access; connect urban and rural; revitalize public spaces; create consistent experience across the markets		 2004 Brown, City of Pawtucket, City of Providence, Downcity Farmers
WIC & Seniors Coupons Fresh food access for low-income families
increase low-income access		 2004 RI Dept of Health, RI Div of Ag
Local Food Forum Yearly networking event for farmers and buyers
increase direct farm-to-business sales; expand network of local food movement		 2004 Brown
Fresh Bucks Food Stamps and credit cards at farmers' markets
increase low-income access; increase dollars spent at markets; offer gift coins		 2007 RI Dept of Human Services, RI Div of Ag, Wholesome Wave
Farm-to-School One-on-one relationship-building and curriculum for independent schools
increase direct farm-to-school sales, specifically for schools with independently operated food service; foster a new generation of healthy eaters
 2007 Brown, RISD, Gordon, Wheeler, Chartwells, Kids First
Farm-to-Chef One-on-one relationship-building, plus monthly news and info by e-mail
increase direct farm-to-business sales; share information about what's in season and how to get local food; grow the network of businesses that buy local		 2007  
Fresh for All Fresh food drives and on-farm gleaning crews
increase low-income access; reduce food waste
 2007 RI Food Bank, Cook's Valley Farm, RISD
Wintertime Farmers' Market Indoor year-round marketplace for local food
foster all-season marketplace; offer year-round income to producers; offer year-round food to consumers; strengthen RI's ability to feed itself in every season		 2007 Hope Artiste Village
Market Basket CSA-like program at Armory + Downtown markets
strengthen neighborhood markets; guarantee farmers’ income; grow markets' customer base; offer convenient way to get local foods; offer a stepping stone to full CSAs; offer hands-on education in seasonal eating		 2008  
RI Royal Potatoes RI potatoes at local grocery stores
increase local food at groceries; provide profitable outlet for potato farmers		 2008 RI Div of Ag, W.J. Canaan
Market Mobile Pooled farm-to-business delivery
promote more efficient distribution; reduce need for individual trucks (time and gas) and invoicing; expand business access		 2009 RI Div of Ag
Providence Public Market Permanent indoor market for RI food producers
provide consistent venue, developed and driven by the needs of producers and eaters; create space for direct and consignment sales, shared storage and shared distribution; connect urban and rural RI		 In dev.  

Growing Producers
Growing our local food supply

  Overview & Goals Since Partners
Farmland Preservation Open space conservation and smart growth policies
advise on policymaking that secures a future for RI farmland and fresh food		 2006 RI Land Trust Council
Farmer Newsletter Monthly news and info by e-mail
share resources to increase farm viability; support farms of all shapes and sizes; foster a network of community food security-minded farmers		 2007  
Heritage Food Producers Heirloom beans, oats at our farmers' markets
renew regional production of grains, nuts and pulses; diversify foods being produced in New England to provide for a whole, sustainable, affordable diet; strengthen regional food security		 2007 Freedom Bean Farm, GrandyOats
Beginning Farmer Apprenticeships On-farm apprenticeship + community work
support a new generation of community food security-minded farmers		 2008 Rabbit's Dance Farm, RI Foundation
Land Jobs Stuff Bulletin Board Resource sharing within the ag community
support and connect beginning and elder farmers		 2008 SEMAP, CISA, RI Div of Ag
Farmers' Market Manual A how-to guide to selling your food
support farmers who want to sell at farmers' market		 In dev. RI Rural Development Council, RI Div of Ag
Harvest Kitchen At-risk youth producing value-added local foods
make a wider variety of everyday foods that use local ingredients; turn overharvest into a new product opportunity for farmers; provide hands-on culinary and marketing training to youth in the juvenile justice system		 2010 RI Division of Juvenile Correction, RI Dept of Health, RI Foundation, SBA
Open Kitchen Shared food processing site for farmers and low-income start-up incubator
provide affordable training and rental; connect users with food sourced from farms; connect users with market venues for their product; connect users with microloans; provide certified kitchen for farmers who want to produce value-added foods; provide certified kitchen for immigrant, women and low-income entrepreneurs; diversify and expand local products available at market venues		 In dev.  

Growing Eaters
Growing local demand for good food

  Overview & Goals Since Partners
Local Food Guide Online database at FarmFresh.org
share information about what's in season and how to get local food; provide online presence for farms; increase direct farmer and buyer connections; profile family farms; map connections between buyers and growers; strengthen regional food system of Southern New England		 2005 SEMAP, CISA, RI Div of Ag
Consumer E-newsletter Weekly news from the markets
share information about what's in season and how to get local food; increase farmers' market attendance		 2005  
Healthy Foods, Healthy Families Hands-on lessons and recipes for kids and families
share culinary knowledge about seasonal eating; support healthy eating in schools, at markets and in low-income communities		 2005 J&W, URI, Goldberg Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI
Buy Local Raising consumer awareness of local food
increase direct farmer and buyer connections; increase consumption of local foods through indirect venues; grow the network of businesses that buy local and consumers who seek local food		 2007 RI Div of Ag
Local Food Fest Yearly celebration of farmers, fishermen and food artisans
promote seasonal eating; grow the network of businesses that buy local and consumers who seek local food		 2007 Castle Hill, Newport Harbor Corp.

Who's Who at Farm Fresh RI
Board of Directors
  • Chase Hogoboom, President
    Development Manager, US Sailing
  • Gerra Harrigan
    Director of Business Development, New Harvest Coffee
  • Lynn Kent, Treasurer
    CPA
  • Nancy Miller
    Restaurateur
  • Skip Paul
    Farmer, Wishing Stone Farm
  • Tyler Ray, Secretary
    Attorney, Cookson America
  • Matt Regan
    Marketing Strategist, Fidelity
  • Lucie Searle
    Development Manager, AS220
Farm Fresh RI Funders
Farm Fresh Rhode Island is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2004. These funders share our vision of a fresher Rhode Island and make our current programs possible: Fruit at Broad St market
Farm Fresh RI Alum
  • Louella Hill
  • Jessica Knapp
  • Jessica Gordon
  • Rachel Judge
  • Erica Craig
  • Fiona Kenny
  • Kath Connolly
  • Victoria Barbata
  • John Reimers
  • Lindsay Hagamen
  • Pam Haase
  • Aurélien Alphe
  • Heidi Hetzler
  • Margaret Cooley
  • Heather Diaz
  • Sarah Garton