Rhode Island

Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:26:27 GMT

Rhode Island lawmakers are creating a program that will invest $11.5 million in a pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

The passage of the bill, titled the Rhode Island Public Assistance Act , was called “monumental” in a statement by Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Lurie said the legislation invests $11.5 million toward a retail Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, incentives pilot program, providing nutrition access to more than 138,000 SNAP recipients in Rhode Island.

“This program allows SNAP households to receive a 50-cent credit on their [electronic benefit card] card for every dollar spent on eligible fruits and vegetables at participating retailers,” Lurie said in the statement. “This is the second-largest investment in nutrition incentive programming on a statewide level, and the largest investment in a brick-and-mortar retail-focused program.”

In addition, Lurie said the program will be administered by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and funds will be distributed directly onto SNAP recipients’ benefit cards.

“This innovative strategy allows nutrition incentive programs to be simplified for SNAP recipients who often balance navigating multiple government and nonprofit-based systems to receive food,” Lurie said in the statement. “The ability of SNAP participants to shop seamlessly with a one-card system should increase participation in fruit and vegetable incentive programs and save time for families facing barriers to getting a nutritious meal on the table.”

Amy Nunn, with the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, said in a news release that the “landmark commitment” will go far in promoting health equity and healthy eating in Rhode Island, where 35% of persons of color are food-insecure.

“CSPI is happy to have supported this work and we look forward to monitoring the implementation of this legislation and learning from Rhode Island’s commitment to the health of SNAP recipients,” Lurie said in the statement. “ Nutrition incentive programs are available in over half of U.S. states and have a proven track record of increasing fruit and vegetable intake for program participants. We look to other state legislators to follow Rhode Island’s lead and invest in the health of communities across the country.”

Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association, applauded the development.

“This is terrific for a state to recognize and invest in the importance of expanding fruit and vegetable access for SNAP consumers, particularly in traditional retail where more than 90% of SNAP benefits are redeemed,” Van Lieu said.

While state action is important, she said, IFPA and other nutrition advocates also want to see the federal government make investments so that SNAP participants, regardless of ZIP code, have similar access.

“As we enter into a new Farm Bill cycle and the upcoming September White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, IFPA will be advocating for congress and the administration to take bolder action to increase access and consumption of fruits and vegetables,” Van Lieu said.

Partnership brings innovation, wealth-creation and flavorful local produce to Rhode Island

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 04:41:22 GMT

Innovative leader in greenhouse vegetable growing, Mastronardi Produce , and Rhode Island Grows, a family owned farming operation spanning three states, have broken ground on the construction of a 25-acre greenhouse in Exeter, Rhode Island – an effort to bring more high-flavor fresh fruits and vegetables to the region.

“This high-tech, state-of the-art facility will use Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to provide environmentally sustainable, high quality produce even through the winter,” says Paul Mastronardi, President and CEO of Mastronardi Produce.

“This is a significant milestone that we’re honored to be a part of; it will increase our ability to efficiently bring more locally-grown produce to the Northeastern region of the U.S.”

The new build represents phase one of Rhode Island Grows’ CEO Tim Schartner’s plan to supply SUNSET® branded produce, and it will leave near a zero-carbon footprint, using solar and other green energy components.

Both Mastronardi Produce and Rhode Island Grows share the same passion of delivering quality, flavorful fruits and vegetables that are grown locally and sustainably, and the Exeter location is merely the start in ensuring opportunity and affluence for the entire region.

“Our state-of-the-art greenhouse will provide a consistent supply of fresh fruits and vegetables to an area that generally relies on outside sources to provide food,” says Tim Schartner, CEO and 5th generation family member to lead Rhode Island Grows. Together, with Mastronardi Produce, we are bringing innovation and wealth creation to the area through sustainable advanced technologies, acumen and food security.”

Look for delicious, Rhode Island-grown SUNSET® tomatoes and peppers to hit stores in 2022.

Top retailers in the Northeast by market share

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:42:35 GMT

Each year, The Shelby Report showcases valuable retail market share data. In the interactive map below, find each major market around the Northeast. Also, highlighted are the major cities in each market.

All markets are “labeled” or identified by their primary state (with metros or key cities). Percentages are estimates based on annualized sales, industry data, institutional research and store footprints. Shares are updated as market metrics dictate and retailers supply their store lists.*

Market shares are for chains, independents and/or the wholesalers (voluntary or cooperative) which supply them within each region’s distribution area, extending well beyond typical metros or CBSAs. Each market is defined by the sphere of distribution, not by a rigid geographic boundary.

Major cities in each market:

Connecticut/Massachusets/Vermont - Hartford, Springfield, Montpelier
East Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey - Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilmington, Dover, Camden, Trenton
Maryland/DC/N. Virginia/Delaware - Baltimore, Washington, Arlington, Charlottesville, Georgetown
Massachusets/Rhode Island/New Hampshire/Maine - Boston, Providence, Manchester, Portland, Bangor
New York/ New Jersey - New York City, Newark
Upstate New York - Vermont - Albany, Syracuse, Burlington
Western New York - Northern Pennsylvania - Buffalo, Rochester
Western Pennsylvania -West Virginia-Maryland - Pittsburg, Erie, Morgantown

Rhode Island governor and Providence mayor to welcome Gotham Greens

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:38:12 GMT

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and other community leaders joined Viraj Puri, co-founder and CEO of Gotham Greens , Brooklyn, N.Y., in announcing the company’s first urban greenhouse farm in New England.

The greenhouse farm will be at the historic General Electric Base Works facility in Providence, R.I., according to a news release. The facility is expected to produce about 30 times the yield of conventional agriculture per acre, while using 90 percent less water by using growing methods such as recirculating hydroponics, data-driven climate control intelligence and renewable energy.

The 110,000-square-foot high-tech farm is scheduled to open in early fall. The facility will grow year-round to supply restaurants and foodservice customers in region with 10 million heads annually of lettuce and leafy greens .

“Gotham Greens is a shining example of the type of innovative, sustainable, and community-minded businesses we envision will help to reinvigorate the Woonasquatucket River Corridor,” Elorza said in the release.

The $12.5 million project is a collaboration with many agencies, including the governor’s office, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the mayor’s office, the city’s Redevelopment Agency, the city’s Office of Economic Opportunity, as well as many other city staff and community members.

Gotham Greens will partner with community organizations to increase access to healthy foods and support wellness and nutrition education, ag-tech research and environmental education programs across the region, according to the release.

Since its first greenhouse launch in 2011, Gotham Greens has grown from a single urban rooftop greenhouse in Brooklyn to a multi-state indoor farming company and one of the largest hydroponic leafy greens producers in North America, according to the release. Gotham Greens runs more than 180,000 square feet of greenhouse in New York and Chicago and has 500,000 square feet of development underway across five U.S. states, including previously announced projects in Chicago and Baltimore.

“Geographically, New England is farthest from the West Coast, where the majority of leafy greens distributed across the U.S. today are grown,” Puri said in the release. “Once we’re operational, Gotham Greens will be able to supply this region’s supermarket retailers and foodservice operators with a consistent and reliable supply of fresh produce grown right here in New England year-round. Furthermore, using our proprietary indoor growing methods, we can implement rigorous health, safety, and traceability measures—from seed to harvest.”

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