Rhode Island Tabletop Show Connects Local Anchor Institutions to EmergingBrands and Iconic Staples to Encourage Purchasing of More Local Food

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.
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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.