Feeding Rhode Islanders
As a result of the pandemic, food insecurity has risen significantly and people are in need now more than ever. In addition, the fishing industry faces unique challenges as a result of COVID-19. The onset of the pandemic resulted in the dramatic decrease in consumer demand and closure of most of the supply chains, leaving many fishermen tied to the docks. To address some of these challenges, The Commercial Fisheries Center of RI with support from Eating with the Ecosystem, and the Rhode Island Food Policy Council developed a pilot seafood donation program to supply healthy and fresh seafood meals to Rhode Island families in need by purchasing seafood directly from RI seafood businesses. So far, we have been able to provide various community organizations with fresh whole fish and we have also produced multiple batches of fisherman's stew donated to food pantries. Funding for this project has been provided by the RI Foundation, an anonymous family initiative, and Vineyard Wind.
Thank you to our partners for helping to make this program possible
- Eating with the Ecosystem
- The Rhode Island Food Policy Council
- Dave Handrigan Seafoods
- Seafreeze Shoreside
- Seafreeze Ltd.
- American Mussel Harvesters
- F/V Catherine Ann
- F/V Natator
- F/V Ashley Ann II
- F/V Select
- F/V Linda Marie
- F/V Virginia Marise
- F/V Second Wind
- F/V Noah
- Tony's Seafood
- The Town Dock
- Narragansett Bay Lobsters
- Bucktown
- The Genesis Center
- Jonnycake Center
- The MLK Community Center
- African Alliance of RI
- Women’s Refugee Care
- Refugee Dream Center
- SunRise Forever Inc.
- George Wiley Center
- Alliance of Rhode Island South East Asians for Education
You can help support this program by joining us for the next Cook a Fish, Give a Fish online seafood cooking class or by donating directly to the program below.
Cook a Fish, Give a Fish
Sharpen your knives and your cooking skills with “Cook a Fish, Give a Fish!” - a new program designed to connect Rhode Islanders with the fish caught in their backyard, the local fishing community, and each other! Sign up for a virtual seafood class, where a talented local chef will show you how to prepare and cook a fish that was caught not too far from your home! the profits from these classes go directly toward the CFCRI seafood donation program to donate seafood to Rhode Island families who need food assistance during the pandemic.
