KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 25, 2023 – This year’s cohort in the University of Rhode Island’s Food Recovery for Rhode Island (FRRI) community education program will visit the West Elmwood Housing Development, Sankofa Initiative, an example of a localized food system in the West End of Providence on Wednesday, Sept. 27. The URI program was created to educate Rhode Islanders on the growing concerns of food insecurity and food waste across the state. The Food Recovery for Rhode Island program, offered by URI’s Cooperative Extension, aims to alleviate food waste, improve food access for state residents and engage volunteers in community efforts.

This year’s cohort will tour Sankofa Initiative’s food system, including Sankofa’s world farmer’s market, community kitchen, greenhouse and more. In other weeks, attendees will glean fields for Hope’s Harvest, participate in community composting with Harvest Cycle, learn how to pickle with URI experts, and tour the state landfill.

This year’s FRRI cohort includes a pig farmer from Johnston hoping to find and source wasted food for his animals; a family coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club of Newport overseeing the garden beds at the club’s summer camp; the owner of a community compost business; staff from South County food pantries, local teachers preparing lessons on the food system; and home gardeners who want to donate fresh-grown food.

WHO: More than 40 Rhode Islanders in this fall’s URI Food Recovery for RI course, with staff and community members from the Sankofa Initiative.

WHAT: Tour and discussion at Sankofa Initiative’s localized food system, including a world farmer’s market, community kitchen, greenhouse and more in the West End of Providence.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: 275 Elmwood Ave, Providence, at 5 p.m.