LOCAL FOOD FEST

A Benefit for Farm Fresh Rhode Island

This event is a fundraiser for Farm Fresh Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization that's been growing the local food system since 2004. The proceeds of your ticket purchase will be put right to work for our local food system. Event guests are also invited to support our work through the fabulous silent auction and raffles offered during the event.

• This past year, the COVID pandemic has continued to reveal flaws in the global food system that we have addressed on a local level — resulting in a reliable local supply chain and stronger overall local food economy.
  
• In 2021, we were proud to support 185 local small and medium sized farmers and food producers by providing crucial marketplaces and distribution systems for selling their products — and offering essential food access points, doubling federal food benefits, and aiding in hunger relief efforts to increase access to fresh food in our community. We sourced and delivered $244,319 in local food to hunger relief agencies in RI last year.
  
• Through community events, Farm to School programming, recipe development and local food tastings, we educate the community about the important role fresh food plays in a healthy lifestyle. We delivered educational workshops at 122 local schools and community sites last year.
  
• The most cost-effective way to preserve our region's farmland is to keep farmers farming. Our marketplaces and wholesale services for local growers and food makers work to do just that. SNAP shoppers bought 54% more food from local farms at RI farmers markets in 2021.
  
• By stimulating connections between farmers and eaters, we are also helping the local economy thrive — creating new jobs and opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors. We sold $3,961,804 in food on behalf of local farmers and producers last year through our Market Mobile program.