Food Recovery for RI

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Food Recovery for RI

Cultivating community-led wasted food solutions - a program of URI Cooperative Extension

10/30/2026

Did you know that you can compost indoors using the process of fermentation? We learned about this innovative type of composting from our partners, Epic Renewal , located in Providence, RI. Everyone received a bokashi starter to put what they learned from the field session into practice and reduce food waste at home! We had the opportunity to explore the zero-waste store, and some participants also purchased products that can help bring sustainable practices into their everyday lives. 🌎🤎

“I also attended the “Community Composting- Fermentation with Epic Renewal” and prepared my own bokashi bran. I am now planning to use it for composting. I made the bran 9 days ago, and now I have let it dry. Then I will apply it to food scraps.

Bokashi composting is an anaerobic process, using a culture of bacteria that thrive in an oxygen-free environment. They don’t produce off-gassing like landfills, and still lead to a healthy, living end product. Bokashi is ideal for indoor composting. It requires less space, offers more input options, and is perfectly suited to an urban environment or anywhere with limited green space.” - Farazana Islam, FRRI Class of 2026

10/22/2026

A few weeks ago, we took a trip to Johnson and Wales University to visit JWU Wildcat Food Rescue. This student-run nonprofit club collects leftover food from baking and culinary labs, reconfigures it into grab-and-go meals, and provides free food to students to help reduce food waste and combat student hunger. It was so incredible seeing how students are making a difference on their own campus by turning food that might otherwise go to waste into something useful for others. 🩵💛

“The tour and experience at Johnson & Wales Wildcat Food Rescue was wonderful!”
Nancy S., FRRI Class of 2026

Johnson and Wales Wildcat Food Rescue – 9/23/2026

10/15/2026

Oops! Webinar begins at 3pm. See you then!

Teachers: Looking for meaningful ways to connect sustainability, climate action, and community impact in your classroom? Join URI Extension's Food Recovery for RI and its partners to explore how schools can play a vital role in building a sustainable, closed-loop food system. Learn how students can help reduce food waste, support local food recovery efforts, feed their communities, and emerge as leaders in environmental stewardship.

Featuring speakers from FoodRecovery.org, Johnson & Wales University, Westerly High School, and the RI School Recycling Project, this session will provide real-world examples, educational resources, and community partnerships that bring climate change solutions to life through everyday actions. Discover how your classroom can connect to the wider world while ensuring surplus food helps nourish students, families, and neighbors.Oo

10/07/2026

"The landfill trip last week was truly eye-opening! The amount of waste that goes into the landfill is overwhelming and the number of programs to recycle and reuse is impressive.

Yet I realized that I am not doing a very good job with either and that details really matter; like remove the metal lids from glass jars and remove the waxy liner in cracker boxes before I recycle is so important. If many of us do not, the entire load can be rejected from recycling and end up as waste.

I have personally recommitted to doing a better job at home and watching those little details that make a big difference." - Kathy G. FRRI Class of '26

This past weekend, we visited the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Operation and toured the RI Central Landfill. With the total facility property being around 1200 acres, they house many operations, such as recycling, composting, the eco-depot and methane recapture. If Rhode Islanders' waste habits stay similar to today, the landfill set to reach capacity in 20 years. Alternatives are expensive for taxpayers and likely involve shipping trash out of state.

10/05/2026

"I wanted to share what I did with the Maitake mushroom I picked up at the ( world) farmers market last week. These are photos of the mushroom ravioli I made. I had so much left that I plan to dehydrate the rest and use it over the winter.

I have been driving my husband crazy over all the amazing fresh produce that was at the market...produce I have never seen in stores here. I can't wait to take him there so he can see it for himself! Thank you so much for the opportunity for me to learn more about their mission and find some incredible food too!" - Heather, Food Recovery for RI Class of 2026.

Last week, we toured the very inspiring Sankofa Initiative in Providence! This is a full-circle, hyper-local food system where local residents, many of whom are refugees from around the world, have the opportunity to grow and sell the foods that remind them of home. There's a garden, greenhouses, commercial kitchen business incubator, farmers market and more! Food sovereignty.

We encourage you to visit the World Farmers Market! It runs 2- 6 p.m. outdoors at the Knight Memorial Library on Wednesdays through the end of October.

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation

09/22/2026

As summer turns to fall, we’re looking back on an incredible season with newportFILM.

Serving as the official Green Team partner, we worked alongside Eva Touhey of WasteNaut Consulting to achieve an 84% diversion rate, diverting more than 1,100 pounds of waste from the landfill through composting and recycling. ♻️ 🌱

Beyond the numbers, this partnership gave us the chance to connect with community members, welcome incoming participants, and share the importance of reducing wasted food.

We’re grateful to have helped make a series of outstanding original films more sustainable while building knowledge, action, and community along the way. 💚🎬

SustainableEvents CommunityActiont

09/14/2026

Hope’s Harvest, a program of Farm Fresh RI, is running an amazing farmers market recovery program at three markets in Providence. There is often leftover produce and herbs that farmers prefer to donate once the market closes.

Volunteers (including FRRI alumni) collect donations from participating farmers and bring it back to Farm Fresh RI to be distributed to local food pantries and hunger relief agencies across the state. Thousands of pounds of food were saved and enjoyed by Rhode Islanders who needed it most last year! It’s a simple but powerful, win-win solution for all.

Pictured: Breanne Penkala, Hope’s Harvest Operations Manager and FRRI class of ‘24, teaching a group of volunteers about gleaning at the farmers market.

09/08/2026

🥒🫐 Pickling is one of the oldest forms of food preservation, and we had a blast learning how to make quick refrigerator pickles at Urban Greens in Providence!

A big thank you to Urban Greens General Manager Jenny Wilson and Nancy Moloney, a graduate of our Food Recovery Course, for leading the workshop. We pickled cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and blueberries using unique recipes that we'll be able to enjoy for weeks to come. 🫙💚

08/23/2026

gEggplant is a delicious and versatile summer vegetable, and proper storage can help it stay fresh while reducing food waste.

Storage tips:
🍆 Eggplant stays fresh for up to 1 week. Store it loose in a cool place, as refrigeration can lead to browning and off-flavors, affecting its texture and taste.

If you're cooking with an older eggplant, salt the flesh before cooking to help draw out excess moisture and reduce bitterness. Simply, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before using.

Making the most of your produce helps reduce food waste, save money, and keep more nutritious food on your plate instead of in the landfill.

For more food storage info, go to: savethefood.com/storage

Address

3 E Alumni Ave
Kingston, RI
02881

Website

https://web.uri.edu/coopext/foodrecovery/

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