Turns out, Local food is still kind of hard to get when it comes right down to it. Our whole raison d'etre has been to make it easier to our hands on local and I think Pip is making it pretty darn easy and maybe even a little fun these days but, getting it TO Nantucket, to supplement what our island farmers are growing is still pretty complex. As we have grown and stretched a bit further to find both the fun things for the shop (like A2 milk and Kefir, more spices and sparkly bevvies!) as well as some of the staples, we have run into many hurdles to leap and hoops to jump through. Which has made us all the more thankful and appreciative for our keystone partner, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, lovingly known as FFRI.
We love how easy they are to work with, their attention to building community food systems, equity and diversity.
We love their Harvest Kitchen line of goods (think strawberry applesauce, stewed tomatoes, pickles) that is being made by the 16-19 year olds in their culinary training program.
We love their new location, a beautiful facility right in Providence. It is well worth a visit if you are ever in the area as it is not only a depot for FFRI but also has several shops and kitchens where many of the producers you know from our market are making their goods. PLUS a Saturday Farmer's Market. PLUS a brewery on site. PLUS a distillery next door. FFRI has become the cornerstone of quite the neighborhood.
They have been doing good things for a while and continue to be an essential partner for us as we continue to grow and look for more local goods to bring over.
We recently had the opportunity to head over to their annual summer event wich was a beautiful opportunity to connect with farmers and producers and get inspired by some of the creations local chefs came up with as they were paired up with producers.
FAVORITE PLATES FROM THE FFRI FARM TO TABLE EVENT:
Melon and Tomato Gazpacho from Avvio and Four Town Farm
Blueberry Dumplings with basil icing from Mei Mei and Schartner Farms
Fejoada made with Vermont Bean Crafters black beans from Gnarly Food Truck
Pork Sliders with Candied Jalapenos from Easy Entertaining and Little River Farm