STRATEGYMETRICSTAGS
Expand preservation of active farmlandAcres of agricultural land preserved with conservation easements (DEM)
Acres of agricultural land owned by the State (DEM)
Acres of land in agriculture (USDA)
Annual state funding budgeted for farmland preservation programs (DEM)
Number of farms in the state (USDA)
Land Access; Preserving Farmland; Land & Resource Use; Conservation & Land Management; Agriculture & Food Production; Sustainable Agriculture; Seafood & Fisheries

Enhance technical assistance & improve coordination and communication about existing resources

Acres of agricultural land preserved Utilization rates of existing technical assistance programs:
– Number of participants and legal fees deferred through CLF Legal Food Hub
– Number of participants in trainings
– Number or percentage of farmers served by URI’s Cooperative Extension
Land & Resource Use; Good Food Governance; Food Systems Coordination; Good/Local Food Economies; Agriculture & Food Production; Sustainable Agriculture; Seafood & Fisheries; Workforce Development; Training & Education, Agriculture; Farm & Producer Business Support

Strengthen job training opportunities for agriculture and fisheries industries

Number of existing farmer training programs: number of participants, how many employed in agriculture
Agriculture & Food Production; Seafood & Fisheries; Sustainable Agriculture; Farm & Producer Business Support; Training & Education, Agriculture

Explore innovative funding and financing tools


Annual budget for LASA grants: number of participants (DEM)
Examples of finance and funding products available to RI farmers (Commerce)
Agriculture & Food Production; Sustainable Agriculture; Seafood & Fisheries; Good Food Governance; Funding & Investment Strategies

Support a robust DEM Division of Agriculture

Number of programs supported by the Division of Agriculture (DEM)
Land & Resource Use; Agriculture & Food Production; Sustainable Agriculture;

Continue to invest in critical infrastructure


Tons of fish waste, wastewater diverted into compost or anaerobic digesters
State, local private funds leveraged to invest in increased wastewater processing capacity
Supply Chain Infrastructure; Food Waste; Agriculture & Food Production; Sustainable Agriculture; Seafood & Fisheries; Land & Resource Use; Water Use

Support efforts of the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative


Total invested annually in seafood marketing efforts
Number of Rhode Island restaurants, markets selling local seafood
Number of licensed users of the RI Seafood logo
Supply Chain Infrastructure; Food Waste; Agriculture & Food Production; Seafood & Fisheries; Farm & Producer Business Support; Good/Local Food Economies; Regional Coordination; Culture Shift (Good Food Movement); Entrepreneurship; Food Availability (retailers); Retailer Market Access; Food Labeling & Marketing

Promote recruitment efforts within fishery industries


Passage of legislation allowing for changes in commercial fishing licenses
New training opportunities and programs to recruit new fishermen
Agriculture & Food Production; Fisheries; Labor/Food Workers; Good/Local Food Economies; Farm & Producer Business Support; Training & Education, Agriculture; Good Food Governance; Legislation

Support efforts of Rhode Island’s Shellfish Initiative
N/AAgriculture & Food Production; Farm & Producer Business Support; Seafood & Fisheries; Labor/Food Workers; Good/Local Food Economies;
STRATEGYMETRICSTAGS

Expand direct-to-consumer sales opportunities, particularly within fisheries
Number of farmers markets and farm stands in the state (RIFPC)
Farmers markets accepting SNAP and SNAP spent annually at farmers markets (Farm Fresh RI)
Total value of seafood sold direct-to-consumer or restaurants in the state

Direct sales – as percentage of total agriculture sales (USDA)

Good/Local Food Economies; Agriculture & Food Production; Public Procurement; Food in Public Institutions; Food in Schools; Nutrition & Health; Food Security; Food Availability (retailers); Retailer Market Access


Connect Rhode Island products to institutional markets
Total spent by institutions on local food (Farm-to-Institution New England)
Percent of sales by distributors spent on local food (Farm-to-Institution New England)
Number of Rhode Island K-12 schools buying local food; percent of total budget spent (Farm-to-Institution New England / USDA)
Total food sales broken down by category (U.S. Census)

Good/Local Food Economies; Agriculture & Food Production; Public Procurement; Food in Public Institutions; Food in Schools; Nutrition & Health; Food Security; Food Availability (retailers); Retailer Market Access


Support infrastructure investments
Completion of a regional scan for infrastructure needs
Number of new Rhode Island-based food companies opening in Rhode Island annually
Amount of public and private funds leveraged in new food manufacturing

Supply Chain Infrastructure; Good/Local Food Economies; Regional Coordination; Good/Local Food Economies; Agriculture & Food Production; Good Food Governance; Public Private Partnerships; Funding & Investment Strategies

Promote food tourism under a unified brand message
Development of a unified brand message
Development and dissemination of shared resources

Good/Local Food Economies; Local Brand Promotion; Regional Coordination
STRATEGYMETRICSTAGS


Identify, prioritize, and tackle regulatory challenges for food enterprises
Number of regulations updated to better reflect food system needs and food protection


Good/Local Food Economies; Business Regulations; Regional Coordination; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Good Food Governance; Legislation; Food System Coordination



Assess and implement communications and engagement best practices for processes and regulations
Updated web material
Types and technical assistance materials developed to facilitate clearer communications with food businesses
Qualitative reporting on Lean process improvements by departments
Elapsed time to submit and receive decision on application


Good/Local Food Economies; Business Regulations; Regional Coordination; Good Food Governance; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Culture Shift (Good Food Movement); Public Messaging & Marketing; Community Outreach



Address funding gaps and communicate funding opportunities
Capital resource map completed and posted in accessible web locations

Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Funding & Investment Strategies; Good/Local Food Economies


Recognize and celebrate food-system partners
N/A

Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Good/Local Food Economies

Support key agencies and staff in fostering innovation
Collaborative projects completed across RIDOH, ORR, and Commerce and other agencies
Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Good/Local Food Economies; Leadership/Staffing
STRATEGYMETRICSTAGS



Create a statewide hunger taskforce to lead efforts to reduce food insecurity in Rhode Island to below 10 percent by 2020
Annual food insecurity levels (USDA)
Creation of Hunger Task Force by Fall 2017
Percentage of Rhode Islanders with limited access to healthy food (USDA)



Good Food Governance; Leadership/Staffing; Food Security; Networks/Bodies/Council (FPCs)




Maximize participation in federal meal programs
Percent of students eligible for free & reduced lunch that participate in the program (USDA)
Percent of eligible schools participating in community eligibility programs
Increase percentage of eligible families participating in WIC
Participation rates for summer meal programs



Public transport (infrastructure); Food Access (consumer); Food Security; Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance




Reduce transportation barriers to food access

Recommendations of Hunger Task Force & HEZ communities submitted as part of statewide long-term transportation planning process


Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Funding & Investment Strategies; Good/Local Food Economies



Reduce the price and increase access to healthful foods across the state
Annual incentives funds spent at markets across the state
SNAP spent at farmers and mobile markets
Funding leveraged to discount fruits and vegetables for SNAP users at mobile markets
Federal and private funding leveraged to support expanded retail incentives
Number of corner stores participating in healthy corner store initiative

Nutrition & Health; Food Availability (retailers); Purchasing Power (consumers); Food & Income Assistance programs; Wage Policy, General; Food Security; Retailer Market Access; Alternative Food Distribution Tactics; Farmers Markets; Food & Income Assistance (SNAP, WIC, etc.); Food Access (consumer); Good Food Governance; Funding & Investment Strategies



Support development of community gardens
Number and location of community gardens

Community Food Growing; Food Sovereignty; Food Security

Continue to promote high levels of health and nutrition in public schools and daycare facilities
Continue to lead nationally on health standards for school meal programs
Number of schools participating in farm-to-school activities

Nutrition & Health; Food Availability; Food in Public Institutions; Food in Schools; Food Security

Expand partnerships with public health advocates

Development of new partnerships with healthcare providers

Good/Local Food Economies; Regional Coordination; Nutrition & Health; Good Food Governance; Food System Coordination; Food Security

Encourage healthy workplaces

Number of state agencies adopting RIDOH’s health meeting policy
Nutrition & Health; Good/Local Food Economies; Labor/Food Workers; Food Security
STRATEGYMETRICSTAGS
Leverage opportunities to reduce food waste at the sourceN/A
Food Waste; Supply Chain Infrastructure

Provide technical assistance and needed resources to help divert organic waste from the landfill
N/AFood Waste; Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Alternative Food Distribution Tactics; Nutrition & Health; Supply Chain Infrastructure

Provide technical assistance and needed resources to help divert organic waste from the landfill
Tons of food waste and organic material diverted from disposal
Jobs created in organics waste management businesses
Additional tons of potentially wasted food donated to shelters and food Banks
Tonnage of food waste diverted to compost facilities or anaerobic digesters
Additional jobs created in waste management/hauling/composting
Food Waste; Supply Chain Infrastructure; Labor/Food Workers; Workforce Development; Training & Education, General; Food System Coordination; Good Food Governance; Alternative Food Distribution Tactics; Nutrition & Health; Supply Chain Infrastructure

Plan Information

CategoryDatabase entry
Plan RegionRhode Island
Publication Date2017
Entry reviewed by original authorYes
PDF attachmentView Full Report
Plan TitleRelish Rhody: Rhode Island Food Strategy
Webpagehttp://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
FundersHenry 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 BudgetUnspecified
Plan GoalsThe 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 AudienceRhode Island Food Strategy is written with policy makers, consumers, and stakeholders in mind.
Plan Recommendation StructureThis Strategy is structured around the five integrated focus areas. Each focus area includes specific sub-recommendations along with broad metrics for evaluation. 
Catalyst for PlanThis 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 ProcessThe 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 LiteratureUnspecified
Development Timeline1 year (drawing upon efforts starting in 2011)
Implementation StrategyLargely 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 Timeline5 years 
Evaluation StrategyMetrics 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 StatusActive; Update in progress
Government Adoption StatusAdopted
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 

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