2019

“Food,What?!” (FW) is a youth empowerment and food justice organization. At FW, youth engage in relationships with land, food and each other in ways that are grounded in love and rooted in justice. We provide a safe space where youth cultivate their empowerment, liberation and wellbeing. We are uniquely positioned to support youth wellbeing by increasing access to fresh, healthy food while inviting youth to directly participate in their local food system through organic farming.

FoodCorps believes in a future where every child—regardless of race, place, or class—gets the nourishment they need to thrive. We partner with people dedicated to creating that future: from educators and school leaders, to national alliances and community-based organizations, to our AmeriCorps service members and students themselves. We collaborate with these peers to demonstrate the power of food in schools and ensure our country’s systems work together to nurture every child’s potential.

Our mission is to grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters in our region. Our objectives include preserving RI farmland and agricultural and culinary knowledge, building healthier communities, reducing on-farm food waste through food rescue activities, increasing food access for insecure populations, improving the impact of food production and distribution on our environment, and strengthening local farm and food producer businesses.

Schoolyard Roots cultivates curiosity and connections through hands-on learning gardens. We engage communities with food and nature to inspire, delight, and bring classroom concepts to life. We grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers in school gardens and teach students how to prepare healthful, delicious recipes. By providing our students with engaging, hands-on learning and nutrition education, our program helps them to achieve academic success and live a healthier life.

DUG's mission is to provide access, skills and resources for people to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban greenspaces. Vision: A sustainable urban future where people are deeply and directly connected to the earth, each other and the food they eat. Established in 1985, DUG supports residents in creating sustainable, food-producing community gardens. With 193 gardens, including 74 at schools, 1 farm and 6 food forests, DUG is now the largest independent network of community gardens in the country.

Compass is a multi-age learning community which fosters a passion for learning in all students so they can reach their full potential. We offer a project-based curriculum integrating academic disciplines, emphasizing social responsibility and environmental sustainability, in small classroom settings to prepare each graduate to be a responsible citizen in the global community. Providing opportunities for students to cultivate agricultural skills is an integral part of our mission.

FRESH New London builds momentum for food system change through local agriculture and youth empowerment. We use food to connect the community, encourage stewardship, inspire leadership, and incite change. Since 2004, FRESH has worked in New London, Connecticut, a distressed urban community with high rates of poverty and food insecurity.  FRESH has developed five community garden sites and gardens at each public school. We grow food with and for the community and teach organic gardening.

The Land Connection (TLC) trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; informs the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and works to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food. We envision a community-based food system in which every farmer has the opportunity to grow food in a sustainable manner, and every person can access local and organic foods.

Our mission is to provide access to land, education and other resources so people in Rhode Island can grow food in environmentally sustainable ways and create community food systems where locally produced, affordable and healthy food is available to all.

Soil Born Farms’ mission is to create an urban agriculture and education project that empowers people to participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment and grows a sustainable community. Our 55-acre organic farm is a regional center for education about food, health and the environment. Soil Born Farms’ work has elevated awareness of urban food production as a means for improving individual health, neighborhood cohesion and environmental stewardship.