MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Raiola
Lisa@makefoodyourbusiness.org
(401) 297-7294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EVENT: RI Tabletop Show
DATE: Tuesday, December 7, 2021
WHERE: 10 Sims Street, Providence, RI
TIME: 1- 4PM
PRESS RELEASE
Rhode Island Tabletop Show Connects Local Anchor Institutions to Emerging
Brands and Iconic Staples to Encourage Purchasing of More Local Food
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND USA – Hope & Main, Rhode Island's premier culinary
incubator, is partnering with Supply RI, Relish Rhody and Farm Fresh RI to connect local
anchor institutions, including Universities, hospitals, K-12 schools and other corporate and
government purchasers, with mission-aligned food producers in the Ocean State.
This food trade show, the first of its kind, includes dozens of Rhode Island food and farm
businesses including staples like Narragansett Creamery and Blackbird Farm to emerging
brands such as Chi Kitchen and Kassumay Hibiscus Fruit Spread, recently included on
Whole Foods Top Ten Foods Trends for 2022. The line-up of diverse producers and
growers was designed to help purchasers buy more high quality, sustainably produced local
food, and to build a more inclusive supply chain.
Tuesday’s RI Tabletop Show was curated especially for the State’s institutional buyers, many
of whom are part of Supply RI. Says Julianne Stelmaszyk, Rhode Island’s Director of Food
Strategy, “Rhode Islanders spend about $5 billion on food, but not enough of that money
goes to purchasing local products and supporting local production. The purchasing power of
these public and private organizations has the potential to transform our local food
landscape and build a more resilient food system for Rhode Island.”
Rhode Island is committed to the New England Food vision and the goal of building the
capacity for the region to produce 50% of its own food by 2060. Nikki Ayers, Market
Mobile Sales Director at Farm Fresh RI says, “Part of having a robust economy in Rhode
Island is keeping local food producers making and thriving here. With this show, we are
bringing more established and new producers together for the first time in our new facility in
Providence to help expand their local markets.”
Doris Blanchard, Director of SupplyRI says, “It is so important to help our small businesses
meet the needs of larger purchasers in the State. Making the connection is sometimes not
enough. We have to break down the barriers that create logistical and other challenges for
institutional purchases to buy local and diversify their supply chains. That is what today’s
program is about.”
Lisa Raiola, President and Founder of Hope & Main explains that access to markets is
one of the main pillars of the incubator’s program. “We are moving in the direction of
specially curated Tabletop Shows for our members and the broader local food and
beverage community so local buyers will come to expect a broad roster of highquality producers in our backyard. We think the future of our local food system stands
on the shoulders the small and innovative food companies we, along with our many
devoted partners, are incubating in Rhode Island.
###
About Farm Fresh RI: Farm Fresh RI’s mission is to grow a local food system that values the
environment, health, and quality of life of the farmers and eaters in our region. Their Community
Access programs increase the availability and affordability of locally sourced foods and share
knowledge of how these fresh ingredients fit into a healthy lifestyle. Their Food System Enterprise
services create transparent systems and market-based opportunities for farmers and producers, as
well as increase farm viability and financial sustainability for our organization. Their new home is a
purpose-designed 60,000 sq. ft. facility located at 10 Sims Avenue in Providence — half of which
houses all of Farm Fresh RI’s programs and operations, including a year-round farmers market.
About Hope & Main: Serving as Rhode Island’s premier food business incubator, Hope & Main is
committed to empowering an inclusive community of entrepreneurs to jumpstart and cultivate
thriving food businesses that are the foundation of a more just, sustainable, and vibrant local food
economy. Our shared use facilities provide affordable access to aspiring food-preneurs of all means
and backgrounds, including 61% women-led and 40% BIPOC-led businesses, to drive economic
mobility. Hope & Main’s incubation program offers affordable and accessible resources, including
six on-site commercial kitchens in a shared use facility, that can be rented on an hourly basis without
a long-term lease. We also offer technical and business assistance to aspiring food and beverage
entrepreneurs and recovering food businesses to assist them to scale, pivot, and thrive.
About SupplyRI: SupplyRI helps connect local suppliers to the needs of larger Rhode Island
institutions, our Anchors, through our database, website, trainings and events. The SupplyRI team
not only connects local suppliers with our Anchor institutions, but also guides local businesses to
better understand the processes and needs of the Anchor institutions. Rhode Island suppliers can
become a member of the SupplyRI Database at no cost. SupplyRI is a public-private initiative
funded by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the Heron Foundation and the Rhode Island
Foundation.

​Sunday, October 25, 2020
12 PM

Hosted by Discover Warren, The Collaborative 02885 and Made in Warren

Warren's annual Walkabout looks a little different this year. We're spreading the fun out over six Sundays -- masks and social distancing required! Head downtown to enjoy our historic waterfront village and all the art, food, shopping, and fun, each Sunday starting at noon. Details will be revealed as each Sunday approaches, so stay tuned!

​Waterfront Festival
Presented by Full Channel
Saturday, June 22nd, 10am-2pm

The Herreshoff Waterfront Festival is a FREE event for the whole family! Stop by the docks and enjoy a spin around the Bay on an historic Herreshoff 12½ or watch Fulcrum Speedworks demo their foiling UFO dinghy. Stay for lunch and picnic on the waterfront with Granny Squibb's Organic Iced Tea, Castaway Gourmet Food Truck and Pete's Ice Cream Truck. Museum Admission is FREE all day, from 10am-5pm. You can even find a great deal on sailing-related items at the Annual Wharf Sale, occurring simultaneously.

Congratulations to Ryan Fonseca, Century21 Topsail Realty Bristol,  on his 2018 Master Diamond Award.
 Ryan gives his clients 121% and is #Relentless. Ryan has also been awarded the Greater Providence Board of REALTORS Gold Circle of Excellence Award.

​BankNewport Mortgage Bankers Named Top Loan Originators
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (February 27, 2019) – BankNewport is pleased to announce that two of the Bank’s Mortgage Bankers, Gina Campbell Helm and Daniel M. Silverman, have been recognized as top Rhode Island loan originators for 2018 by The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman magazine.  Gina and Dan originated the most loans overall and the most purchase loans in their respective market areas.
 
Gina Helm, vice president and residential loan officer, ranked number one for number of loans generated by a bank loan originator in Bristol County, responsible for generating 54 loans totaling more than $16.9 million in 2018.  She was previously ranked number one in 2016 and number two in 2017 in the same market by The Warren Group. Gina joined BankNewport in 1998 and is a resident of Barrington.
 
Dan Silverman also ranked number one for number and volume of loans generated by a bank loan originator in Newport County market, with 88 loans totaling more than $27.6 million in 2018.  An East Greenwich resident, Dan joined BankNewport in 1998 and was ranked number one by the Warren Group in both 2016 and 2017 in this same market.
 
In 2018, BankNewport was the number one mortgage lender in Newport County and Bristol County, and ranked seventh overall for loan volume of the 500 lenders in Rhode Island.
 
About BankNewport
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island.  In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services.  With 17 banking offices and $1.6 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities. For more information, visit www.BankNewport.com.
 

(Middletown, RI): February 28, 2019 - People's Credit Union has donated five thousand dollars to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF) through the United Way's Corporate MyFund™ Program which will go towards funding high-quality cross district student training that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management and developmental awareness. The check was presented by Bristol Branch Manager, Fatima Estrela, and Assistant Branch Manager, Stephanie Mendoza, with BWEF Board Members, parents and children of the Bristol Warren Regional School District.
 
"This donation and longer-term partnership with People's Credit Union will make a critical and meaningful difference in the creative learning experiences that will be enjoyed by all of the students of Bristol and Warren. We are so grateful for this demonstration of faith in the mission and work of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation and in the creative programs imagined by our wonderful educators, "stated Nicky Piper Board Chair of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation.
 
Fatima Estrela, Bristol Branch Manager added that "People's Credit Union is pleased to make this $5,000 donation to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation and to deepen our partnership in supporting programs and organizations that continue to enhance the communities that we serve."
 
ABOUT PEOPLE'S CREDIT UNION
 
People's offers a complete range of services including online and mobile banking, savings and checking accounts, personal loans, mortgages, business accounts, business loans, and financial services. Headquartered in Rhode Island, People's Credit Union is a member-owned, state chartered, federally insured, community credit union established in 1922. Membership is open to all individuals. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government. For more information about People's Credit Union visit  peoplescu.com.
 
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People's Credit Union staff presenting $5,000 donation check to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation
 Pictured left to right: Rowen Marle, Eve Marle, Sheila Dobbyn, Darcy DaCosta, Lizzy DaCosta, Nicky Piper, Charlotte Piper, Jock Hayes, Tyler Dixon, Joe Ciullo, Millie Piper, Stephanie Mendoza and Fatima Estrela

Pilgrim Title Receives National Recognition for Marketing Campaign
Company mascot, TOD (Title On Demand), plays major role in efforts
 
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Pilgrim Title Insurance Company, a Rhode Island- based title and closing services provider, is generating national attention from the American Land Title Association for its marketing and social media efforts. At the center of Pilgrim Title’s efforts is TOD, the company’s mascot that stands for Title On Demand.  TOD looks like a cartoon and acts as a portal to the company’s web site and services.
 
When Dena Davis joined Pilgrim Title in 2017 as Marketing Director, the company didn’t have a social media presence. Davis’ main role was to boost its presence and promote the company’s brand. Davis created TOD as a way for Pilgrim to accomplish these goals.
 
“People seem to appreciate the sense of humor TOD brings, while offering useful information, tools and community outreach,” Davis said. “We believe that creating a persona representing everything title would make the information we share more digestible, and frankly, more fun." 
 
The response to TOD has been well received by Realtors and lenders and the Title On Demand portal makes transactions smoother, she added.
 
“People often interact with TOD online, and clients often want their picture taken with a cardboard cutout of TOD after a closing,” Davis said. Pilgrim Title also launched TOD Talks videos, where its attorneys address common title issues and solutions the company offers its clients.
 
In addition to earning recognition for the TOD campaign, Pilgrim has made strides as an accessible title and closing service by providing online educational tools that explain the settlement process. As the real estate world moves towards e-closing and e-filing, Pilgrim Title is one of the first title companies to adopt the Digital Post Closing Package, which gives homebuyers a secure place to keep their valuable documents while providing a connection with realtors, lenders and the closing attorney.
 
“Customers want the convenience of digital access to information as well as access to the professionals handling their transactions,” says Christopher Montalbano, one of the Principals of Pilgrim Title. “We strive to provide all of these elements to homebuyers, lenders, and real estate agents.”
 
Pilgrim has gained new followers and customers on social media. Views on Pilgrim Title’s Facebook page increased 127 percent in a recent month, while engagement increased 81 percent. A recent video campaign bumped up company video views by 735 percent. Davis will represent Pilgrim Title at two upcoming national conferences for Closing Professionals – one in Raleigh and one in Chicago in 2019.
 
Pilgrim Title Insurance Company is a Rhode Island- based title and closing services provider. Pilgrim currently has offices in Barrington, East Providence and Orlando, Florida and is licensed to close in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida.
 
You can read the full article here: https://blog.alta.org/2019/01/how-do-you-hop.html

George Charette, President and CEO, is pleased to announce the opening of their newest branch, at 576 Metacom Avenue, Bristol (located in Belltower Square). This full-service branch features a contemporary interior design, 24 hour drive-up ATM, safe deposit boxes, a night depository box and a knowledgeable team of trained professionals under the supervision of Branch Manager, Bryan Cirillo.
For more information, call 401-722-2212 or visit Pawtucket Credit Union on the web at www.pcu.org