Last Friday, Farm Fresh RI received a $700,000 federal earmark from Senator Reed on behalf of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This funding will support our Market Mobile and hunger relief personnel in developing new purchasing relationships with small food businesses, help us expand our operations in the face of rising distribution costs, connect more local farmers with food pantries and other customers, and maintain our online marketplace that allows customers to order directly from local farms across New England.
Senator Reed joined Janet Coit, Farm Fresh RI’s Executive Director, Mark Federico, Jr. of Narragansett Creamery, and Camille Abdel-Nabi of Long Lane Farm to celebrate this important investment in our local food economy.
“Farm Fresh RI has a proven track record of sustainably growing our state’s local food system. Strengthening that work is critical for helping our new and emerging farmers, fishers, and food producers expand their markets, unlock growth opportunities, and connect more Rhode Islanders with fresh, local, nutritious and delicious food,” said Senator Reed. “I am proud to team up with Farm Fresh to deliver this $700,000 federal earmark to boost their capabilities and expand their reach so that they can continue to serve up assistance and guidance for our state’s food network.”
“For small food businesses to grow and succeed, they need to reach new markets and consistent customers. This important federal investment from Senator Reed will help Farm Fresh RI expand our Market Mobile program, which connects more than 100 local farms and food producers with customers across New England, like schools, restaurants, hospitals, hunger relief agencies, and households,” said Janet Coit, Executive Director of Farm Fresh RI. “Thank you to Senator Reed for always recognizing the importance of our local food producers and investing in their future.”
This timely funding will help us increase new market opportunities for small businesses, expand our distribution capacity to move more local food across New England, and improve the technology that connects farmers and producers with their customers.
“Today’s announcement will lead to the continued success of what Farm Fresh has built over the last 22 years and meet the current challenges and goals to increase the share of local food production,” said Mark Federico, Jr. of Narragansett Creamery. “This support not only has a direct impact on local food production, but an indirect, reverberating impact and benefit to all the businesses that help us produce that local food and keep our farms and businesses in operation: electricians, refrigeration technicians, corrugated and packaging suppliers, welders and machinists, milk haulers, and in our case, the small family owned dairy farms that supply us with the raw milk to make cheese and dairy products, and the businesses that support their farms.”
When we create stronger markets for the people growing and producing our food, we help those businesses thrive, keep more dollars in our local economy, and strengthen the food system that feeds all of us.
Unfortunately, food insecurity in Rhode Island continues to rise. For too many families, fresh, healthy food is now out of reach. Part of this funding will be used to connect local farmers with food pantries in our area so that more nutritious food reaches our neighbors most in need.
We’re grateful to Senator Reed for being a partner in building a stronger local food system for all Rhode Islanders.
