WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to reduce food waste from field to table and help Rhode Islanders in need increase access healthy, locally-grown food, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced a new $100,000 federal grant for the University of Rhode Island (URI) to launch the Food System Steward Program.

URI is being awarded the funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Education Grants Program.  Senator Reed secured $3 million to support this nationwide competitive grant program, which supports environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment.

“Both food waste and food insecurity are rising amid this pandemic and we need to effectively address these twin challenges.  This federal grant will help URI develop innovative, community-scaled strategies to reduce food waste and help those is need access nutritious, local food options.  That’s a win-win that offers environmental, economic, and public health benefits,” said Senator Reed, who sent a letter earlier this year in support of URI’s application.

"We've seen the power of peer-to-peer education to change behavior, enhance quality of life and improve environmental conditions,” said URI Cooperative Extension State Program Leader Vanessa Venturini.  “With the pandemic bringing food access and food waste issues to the forefront, this program will appeal to Rhode Islanders who wish to contribute to local solutions to these pressing problems.  Food System Steward trainees will learn from URI faculty, Extension staff and other local experts in a 6-week course and then put their newfound knowledge to work in their communities.  By partnering with local organizations, stewardship projects will be designed to meet the needs of community members in real time."  

According to URI, the federal funds will help establish a “train-the-trainer” program through URI’s Cooperative Extension to teach 120 people to serve as Food System Stewards (FSS).  The program, which will involve coursework and community stewardship projects, will train participants to reduce food waste, provide healthy food to underserved populations, adopt conservation behaviors, and foster a community conservation around food waste solutions.  URI also plans to tap into its networks and partners to promote participation and identify community stewardship projects.  The program aims to help people better understand the impact our food system has on the environment and empower them to make healthy changes to reduce food waste.

URI’s “train-the trainer” course will train adult learners to volunteer in their communities, teaching others to adopt conservation behaviors and other environmental stewardship activities.  After completing a six-week course, FSS volunteers would engage 2,500 youth and adults in underserved areas to adopt conservation behaviors and participate in projects that benefit the food system.  URI anticipates that this program will encourage civic engagement, recover over 60,000 pounds of food waste, and direct 40,000 pounds of locally-grown produce to food insecure populations.

In 2018, Senator Reed helped secure a $100,000 federal Environmental Education Grant for Groundwork Rhode Island for an environmental education program focused on waste reduction, diversion, and recycling in Providence.