KINGSTON, R.I. – June 3, 2026 – Applications are open for Food Recovery for Rhode Island at the University of Rhode Island, a community education program offered through URI Cooperative Extension. The six-week online course includes field experiences that can be completed at participants’ convenience — and, for many, the experience kickstarts greater involvement in Rhode Island’s food system.
The program celebrated five years of food action this spring. To date, 250 Rhode Islanders have enhanced their food literacy through the Food Recovery for Rhode Island program, all the while tackling a large problem. Thirty-four percent of Rhode Island residents experienced food insecurity last year, and demand for food assistance has also increased. With the rising cost of food, more people than ever are interested in maximizing their groceries at home. Food also remains the largest component of Rhode Island’s single landfill, with harmful greenhouse gases released as it breaks down.
Vanessa Venturini, the program’s co-founder at URI Cooperative Extension, says Food Recovery for Rhode Island addresses residential food waste through grassroots change.
Since its inception, the program has tallied some impressive accomplishments:
- Diverted 520,000 pounds of wasted food from Rhode Island’s Central Landfill.
- Donated 400,000 pounds of surplus food, providing more than 309,000 meals to the community.
- Prevented more than 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions and saved 119 million gallons of water.
The program also helps increase community participation in addressing food issues. After finishing the program, 65% of participants began volunteering or increased their time in food recovery.
Food spaces and support
Taylor Rash is a recent program graduate. The food systems advocate came to the program to build her interests in strengthening local food security and reducing waste. She has enjoyed being a part of the community.
“Being able to stay connected and actively work with these awesome people toward a better future has been really important to me,” said Rash, who now works as the zero waste coordinator for Worcester, Mass.
Program grad Maurice Brown, a farmer at Sankofa, a program of the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation in Providence, said learning about food insecurity and food deserts in Rhode Island through the program was helpful. He also enjoyed learning how to save food and lower his waste output.
“Composting is so helpful. I really waste nothing now,” Brown said. “If it’s not eaten, I compost my scraps. Composting plays a big role on the farm. Thank you, Food Recovery.”
The Food Recovery course is offered each fall and open to anyone in southern New England. Designed as a “choose-your-own-adventure” learning experience, the course allows participants to explore different food recovery pathways, focusing on what matters most to them.
Through self-paced online learning and hands-on field experiences, participants learn about food waste, food access, environmental sustainability, and local food systems. The course is suitable for people with jobs and families, or retirees, with field sessions offered on weeknights, and weekends. Attendees can also participate in projects in schools, community farms, local organizations, and zero waste event teams at events such as newportFILM.
Venturini said that program participants come from all parts of the state and walks of life — farmers, parents, students, nonprofit workers, and town employees — all hoping to reduce waste and make a difference in Rhode Island’s food systems.
This year’s program takes place September through October 2026, including online coursework and in-person field experiences on evenings and weekends. The course is open to any Rhode Island or nearby resident ages 18 and older. Apply for early acceptance by July 1; the final deadline to apply is August 9. Cost for the course and training materials is $255; scholarships are available. Apply or learn more at uri.edu/foodrecovery or contact vanessa@uri.edu or (401) 874-2900. Follow at @foodrecoveryforri.