The University of Rhode Island (URI) hosted its annual Food Summit on November 16, 2023, bringing together food security experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to address pressing issues in rhode island’s food system. The event focused on building resilience and changing the narrative around hunger, particularly in the face of recent challenges like federal government shutdowns and increased demand for food assistance.
A New Leader for rhode Island Food Security
The summit welcomed a new leader in the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, Katherine Cherney, who transitioned from her role as the director of the Illinois State Fair after a decade of work in agriculture in the Midwest. Katherine Cherney officially began her role as CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank on October 30, 2023.
Moving from the nation’s agricultural heartland to Rhode Island was a change, but she expressed excitement about the challenge and the opportunity to explore a new area when the position became available. After visiting the state, she cited the “culture of community” as the deciding factor in her move. She relocated to Rhode Island, purchased a home, brought her dogs, and began her new job during a particularly demanding year for the food security sector.
Food in the Community
A key component of the day’s program was a panel discussion on community food access, led by Amanda Missimer, a nutrition professor at URI.Missimer also leads URI’s Free Farmers Market on campus and the URI Cooperative Extension’s Food Recovery for Rhode Island Program.
Jason Barbosa of Vicente Supermarket shared insights from the perspective of a food merchant. Founded in Brockton, Massachusetts, Vicente’s now operates stores in Pawtucket and New Bedford, focusing on serving multicultural families with their preferred products. “Vicente’s is ‘a family for the families,'” Barbosa stated, emphasizing the importance of markets as community gathering places.
The panel also included representatives from Higher Ground International, the Elisha Project, and Meals on Wheels. All participants underscored the significance of food as more than just sustenance-it’s a unifying force.
Meghan Grady, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, detailed the program’s growth since its inception in 1969 by URI gerontology graduate Joe Brown. Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island has evolved from delivering meals to a small group of homebound seniors in Providence to becoming one of the largest programs of its kind, now serving a wider range of at-risk populations and providing wellness checks and health education.
Henrietta white-Holder, founder of Higher Ground International, shared her personal story of immigrating to the U.S. from Liberia. She established the institution to provide vital services to immigrants and refugees in Rhode Island, advising the audience to prioritize listening to the needs of their neighbors.
George Ortiz of the elisha Project explained how his organization began in 2011, responding to a local need in Providence with simple sandwich deliveries. The Elisha Project has since expanded its reach to provide food, furniture, hygiene products, and clothing to families across the United States, and continues to offer aid internationally in countries like Guatemala, Cape Verde, and portugal. Ortiz stressed the importance of proactive planning, stating, “The unforeseen is what you should be planning for.”
building Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Cherney acknowledged the difficulties of the past year, citing a federal government shutdown in November that led to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank serving over 102,000 peopel in a single month. Despite the lack of warning and the surge in demand, she highlighted the strong community response. “We moved food faster than ever,” she said. “Volunteers called in record numbers,food donations skyrocketed,donors sent money,and community partners offered inspiration and collaboration. That’s what meeting the moment looks like.”
Cherney emphasized that her background in agriculture has instilled in her a deep understanding of the fragility of the food ecosystem and the importance of protecting both individuals and food producers.
“The narratives about hunger need to change; that’s why this summit matters so much,” she concluded.”resilience is shaping what comes next.”
This year’s Food Summit was sponsored by URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences, with support from rhode Island Commerce, the Partnership for Research Excellence in Lasting Seafood, and Vicente’s Supermarket. For more facts on the annual Food Summit, contact ltownson@uri.edu.Subscribe to the Cooperative Extension email list to get updates on the next summit.
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