Farm Fresh Rhode Island blog

Buying locally this holiday season will support healthy farms, recycle your dollars in Rhode Island communities, and taste delicious. Buying locally means a lot, especially during these tough times. Without further adieu, here are our holiday party and gift ideas:

Wine & Beer. We’re lucky to have locally produced wines here in RI that are both captivating in flavor and yet quite affordable. Newport Vineyards, Greenvale Vineyards, or Sakonnet Vineyards at most fine wine shops around the state for your holiday party. Also try Narragansett Beer, Newport Storm, Trinity for your beer brews.

Christmas Trees. Buy direct from a RI farm and fill your home with the warm scent of a fresh tree.

Explore the Wintertime Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday 11-2! It’s a great place to get holiday gifts and ingredients for your party.

• Honey for a sweetheart from Mello Family Farm.
• Cheese baskets and party dips from Narragansett Creamery.
• Jams and jellies from Marcia’s Chutneys.
• Oysters, littlenecks and lobster from Matunuck Oyster Farm.
• Chocolates from OceanState Chocolates’ local truffle collection.
• Pesto, creamy with the season’s basil preserved by Besto Pesto.
• Roasted pecans, gingery or buttery by Purple Pear.
• Coffees roasted daily by New Harvest at the market site.
• Teas specially blended by Farmacy.
• Marzipan from New Dawn.
• Breads and pastries baked fresh by Seven Stars, Olga’s, and gluten-free from Chris’s Gourmet Treats.
• Apple cider just pressed at Hill Orchards.
• Crudité (i.e. carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and other veggies!) for your party platter from the many Rhode Island farms at the market.
• Dog treats by Jack’s Snacks and herbal lotions from Earth Essence.
• Farm fresh ingredients for your entrées and appetizers whether it’s Beef Brisket, Pork Chops, Deviled Eggs or sea-fresh Scallop Ceviche.
• Farmers’ Market Gift Coins can be used with any farmer or food producer at any summer or wintertime Farm Fresh farmers’ market in Providence, Pawtucket and Woonsocket. 100% goes to the producer, and they come with gift tags.

Lobsters are at the lowest prices in years and New England lobstermen are hurting this season. If you can’t make it to the docks at Pt. Judith, add a stop to your local fish market. They’ll have local lobster and it will be delicious.

Local art. There are many holiday art sales this December. Complement a flavorful feast with a feast for the eyes, care of Rhode Island’s incredible community of craftmakers.

Caterers. These caterers can put together a classy menu with ingredients fresh from the farm. Just ask.

Make a Donation to Farm Fresh. All year we work to support local farmers and fresh food for all Rhode Islanders. Over the past year we’ve made great strides, increasing year-round opportunities for farmers and expanding access to fresh foods in low-income areas. But we can only continue these programs with your help. If you shop at the markets, if you appreciate good food from local farms, please make a tax-deductible gift today.

Other ideas for the holiday guide? Send them to us and we’ll update this page.