Plan Information
| Category | Database entry |
| Plan Region | Rhode Island |
| Publication Date | 2017 |
| Entry reviewed by original author | Yes |
| PDF attachment | View Full Report |
| Plan Title | Relish Rhody: Rhode Island Food Strategy |
| Webpage | http://dem.ri.gov/relishrhody/ |
| Author(s) | Rhode Island Director of Food Strategy (a Governor-appointed role) in direct partnership with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and its membership and Steering Committee, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. |
| Author Type | Government; Food Policy Council; Partnership |
| Region Type | State |
| Funding Sources | Foundations; State Government |
| Funders | Henry P. Kendall Foundation (strategic support); The Rhode Island Foundation, the John Merck Fund, the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Island Foundation, and Main Street Resources. Community and government partners played a critical role as well, including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. |
| Total Project Budget | Unspecified |
| Plan Goals | The plan goals were framed around three key values of Health & Access, Economic Development, and Environmental Sustainability & Resiliency. This work intended to center Rhode Island’s “traditions, strengths, and history while encouraging innovation and supporting the regional goal of 50 percent of the food eaten in New England be produced in the region by 2060.” (p. 5; see also New England Regional plan). Five goals and integrated focus areas: 1. Preserve & Grow Agriculture, Fisheries Industries in Rhode Island,2. Enhance the Climate for Food & Beverage Businesses,3. Sustain & Create Markets for Rhode Island Food, Beverage Products,4. Ensure Food Security for all Rhode Islanders,5. Minimize Food Waste & Divert It from the Waste Stream. |
| Intended Audience | Rhode Island Food Strategy is written with policy makers, consumers, and stakeholders in mind. |
| Plan Recommendation Structure | This Strategy is structured around the five integrated focus areas. Each focus area includes specific sub-recommendations along with broad metrics for evaluation. |
| Catalyst for Plan | This Strategy is built upon many events and community efforts. Of particular momentum is (p. 7 – 8): 1. The foundational work from Rhode Island Food Policy Council between 2011 and 2017, including assessments and strategic visions. 2. The 2014 publication of theNew England plan (Food Systems New England) which set a goal of 50% local consumption by 2060 for New England. 3. 2016: Governor Raimondo announced the hiring of the State’s (and nation’s) first Director of Food Strategy to lead the development of the Strategy. |
| Creation Process | The creation of this Strategy took place via the leadership of the Governor-appointed Director of Food Strategy over the course of one year (building off of the RIFPC conducted assessments, research, and strategic visions between 2011 and 2016). Specific information on the creation process is minimally explored within the written strategy. In January of 2017, the initial draft of the Strategy was released at the state’s first Food System Summit, attended by more than 350 people. After the Summit, “the State partnered with RIFPC on a series of community workshops to solicit feedback for the final Strategy. In all, nearly 30 presentations were given and more than 40 separate pieces of public comment were received” (p. 8). |
| Theoretical Framework(s) Employed | N/A |
| Theoretical Framework(s): Additional Literature | Unspecified |
| Development Timeline | 1 year (drawing upon efforts starting in 2011) |
| Implementation Strategy | Largely unspecified within the document, however, The Relish Rhody document is often referenced and referred to by the RI Food Policy Council, state agencies, and community groups when communicating about needed changes to food system policy, regulations, and strategic investments. |
| Implementation Timeline | 5 years |
| Evaluation Strategy | Metrics for evaluation provided for each strategy. For example, “Number of new Rhode Island-based food companies opening in Rhode Island annually” (p. 21). |
| International Development Framework(s) | None |
| Current Plan Status | Active; Update in progress |
| Government Adoption Status | Adopted |
| Government Adoption Status (Notes) | Not formally adopted in legislation, but informally adopted by Governor’s office and state agencies. 2030 plan update in progress. |
| Supplemental Documents | View Supplemental Documents |