MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Raiola
[email protected] (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.
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