January 27, 2017 — KINGSTON, R.I. — In a packed auditorium at University of Rhode Island on Jan. 17, foodies of every variety converged at the Rhode Island Food System Summit to talk about food production, distribution, economic policies and more.
The 350-person gathering was part of Gov. Gina Raimondo’s development of the state’s first comprehensive food strategy to support the local food economy. The strategy is a five-year action plan that will leverage key components of Rhode Island’s food system: agriculture and fisheries, economic development, and health and access.
As part of the governor’s plan, Sue AnderBois was hired as the state’s first director of food strategy in June 2016. Her job responsibilities include creating policy for every aspect of the state’s food system — from farm to market to table. Her position will be funded for two years by grants from the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, the John Merck Fund and Main Street Resources.
The plan’s goals also include alleviating food insecurity and hunger among state residents, making food production more accessible, creating and growing markets for Rhode Island food products, prioritizing environmental and economic sustainability and creating a positive economic climate for food-related businesses.