Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC)

CLF and CLF Ventures has worked with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) and its partners to develop a business plan—including financial projections and estimated expenses, potential revenue sources, and guidance on operational efficiency at RIFPC—with the goal of advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems in both Rhode Island and New England.

The RIFPC officially launched on October 24, 2011, as a statewide collaborative body (currently 15 members) that coordinates advocacy, communication, education and outreach, research, and on-the-ground initiatives that increase the state’s “Community Food Security.” RIFPC defines Community Food Security as a vibrant and sustainable local food system that provides all community residents with equitable access to affordable, nutritious, healthy, safe, high-quality, culturally-appropriate food. Community Food Security thus exists when Rhode Island’s food system is synergistically increasing the health of the state’s economy, the health of the state’s ecology, and the health of all community residents.

The Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT) has been instrumental in the launch of RIFPC and is one of its main partners. SCLT provides access to land, education and other resources so people in Greater Providence can grow food in environmentally sustainable ways and create community food systems where locally produced, affordable, and healthy food is available to all.

Working in collaboration with RIFPC and its partners to develop a business plan, CLF Ventures and CLF have helped to navigate the complexities of local and regional food systems to achieve food security. This project aligns strongly with the CLF Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice program’s sustainable farm and food system initiative, with goals to protect the health of New England food sheds, reduce food vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and promote a robust local food economy.

For more, email:
Jo Anne Shatkin, CEO CLF Ventures