Rhode Island (RI)

Explore information on farm to school participation by Rhode Island (RI) school food authorities (SFAs) that responded to the Census and the schools and students they serve. Use the tools below to dig deeper into farm to school in Rhode Island.

State Profile for Rhode Island

Census Responses for Rhode Island

Total number of responding School Food Authorities (SFAs)
57
Total number of schools in responding SFAs
316
Total number of students in responding SFAs
132,788
Farm to School Participation
78.9% (45)
of SFAs participating in SY2018-2019

Key Census Findings for Rhode Island

Dig in on how farm to school is being cultivated across Rhode Island.

Length of farm to school participation by SFAs in Rhode Island

Farm to school has been picking up momentum over the last 10 years. See how long SFAs in Rhode Island have been going local.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Less than 3 years
 
35.6%
16
3-5 years
 
24.4%
11
6-10 years
 
24.4%
11
More than 10 years
 
15.6%
7
287 schools

125,907 students in participating SFAs

Food tray

Farm to school participation in Rhode Island

Farm to school is growing in Rhode Island! Local food and agricultural education activities are showing up in the cafeteria, the classroom, and the garden. Check out how many schools and students are served by farm to school SFAs.
88.9%

40 SFAs

Apple cars

Rhode Island SFAs serving local food

Farm to school means more fresh, local food is on the menu. Across the country, SFAs engaged in farm to school report serving higher quality foods in school meals and increased participation in school meals.

Child Nutrition Programs in Rhode Island using local food in school year 2018-2019

Nationally, a majority of farm to school SFAs have been serving local food in school meals and snacks. See how many SFAs in Rhode Island are leveraging local foods.

Percent of F2S SFAs in Program Total F2S SFAs
Use local foods in NSLP
 
84.4%
38
Use local foods in SBP
 
86%
37
Use local foods in the FFVP
 
82.6%
19
Use local foods in CACFP
 
71.4%
5
Use local foods in CACFP At-Risk
 
76.9%
10
Use local foods in SFSP/SSO
 
94.1%
16
82.2%

37 SFAs

Teacher with class

Rhode Island SFAs providing food, nutrition, or agricultural education

Farm to school activities include experiential learning in the classroom, in the garden, and on the farm. Rhode Island SFAs offer opportunities such as taste testing, school gardening, and farm field trips.
28.9%

13 SFAs

Vegetable garden

Rhode Island SFAs that have edible gardens

School gardens are becoming a popular outdoor extension of the classroom. Across the curriculum, school gardens can bring learning to life and produce food to serve in school meals.

Food and nutrition education in Rhode Island

Farm to school activities can include educational experiences in the classroom, the garden, and on the farm. See how SFAs in Rhode Island are bringing farm to school alive with hands-on learning.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Hold taste tests & cooking demos
 
60%
27
Use USDA Team Nutrition materials
 
24.4%
11
Use educational edible school garden
 
33.3%
15
Hold student field trips to farms
 
37.8%
17
Have Farmers Visit
 
20%
9
Do farm to school activities in pre-K
 
15.6%
7

Local foods served daily or weekly in meals or snacks

As farm to school has grown, so have the local options students enjoy at meal time. Many schools are serving fresh and local fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins, or grains daily, a few times a week, or weekly. Schools meet federal nutritional standards and students get healthy, flavorful, options.

Percent of F2S SFAs Total F2S SFAs
Serve local fruit at least weekly
 
57.8% 26
Serve local vegetables at least weekly
 
42.2% 19
Serve local milk at least weekly
 
46.7% 21
Serve other local dairy at least weekly
 
8.9% 4
Serve local protein at least weekly
 
4.4% 2
Serve local grains at least weekly
 
33.3% 15

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