Looking to grow Rhode Island’s sustainable, resilient farm-to-fork and dock-to-dish food supply chain while feeding neighbors in need and help local farmers, growers, and fishermen expand their markets, a group of Rhode Island’s leading agriculture, culinary, and food policy experts came together at City Farm in South Providence today to stump for the Expanding Access To (EAT) Local Foods Act (S.3982).
As Congress considers the Farm Bill, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the lead author of the EAT Local Foods Act, gathered with community partners at Southside Community Land Trust’s (SCLT) City Farm, a working, three-quarter acre urban production and demonstration farm. Reed was joined by advocates from Farm Fresh Rhode Island; the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC); SCLT; and local farmers, fishermen, and food producers to discuss how the EAT Local Foods Act would help farmers and growers reach new markets and catalyze business growth while increasing access to locally-grown, nutritious food in underserved communities.
The bill seeks to build on a successful, proven template – the Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement (LFPA) Program – with the goal of promoting economic opportunities for farmers, fisherman, and food producers and strengthening the nation’s food supply chain network.
