KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� Jan. 7, 2026 鈥� The 溏心vlog免费B站 is hosting its 鈥� the first time since the pandemic to gather in person as a statewide community of leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Organizers say this year鈥檚 summit at the 溏心vlog免费B站 campus is more than a meeting; it is a powerful act of coming together to 鈥渕eet the moment鈥� in building a resilient, equitable food future.
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, starting at 9 a.m., the free event will bring state government, academic, business, and community partners together in person for 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 ninth Rhode Island Food System Summit to discuss ways to build the state鈥檚 food future. This year鈥檚 program expands on what has been a virtual program in recent years with a day鈥檚 worth of events and activities in 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 DeChristofaro Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, 120 Flagg Road, Kingston.
This year鈥檚 keynote speaker, Melissa Cherney, new CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, embodies the theme as she steps into leadership at one of the state鈥檚 most vital institutions, guiding Rhode Island toward a new era of food security and justice.
Two dynamic panels will anchor this year鈥檚 summit and explore steps underway to strengthen the state鈥檚 food ecosystem:
- Community Food Access will feature grassroots, nonprofit, and business leaders who are tackling hunger and inequity with creativity and courage
- Strengthening the Supply Chain will highlight strategies to connect farmers, fishers, and makers with distributors, institutions, and wholesale buyers to unlock generational wealth and shared prosperity
Breakout sessions will spotlight projects aligned with Rhode Island鈥檚 food strategy, offering participants the chance to learn from innovative initiatives, share ideas, and build new collaborations. These sessions are designed to spark dialogue, strengthen partnerships, and provide momentum for .
The day begins with registration and a networking breakfast at 8 a.m. and includes a Rhode Island Farm-to-Campus Lunch, breakout sessions, and more. For the full schedule and to register, .
鈥淭his year鈥檚 summit is a forum for hope and collective resolve,鈥� according to Lisa Townson, associate dean for extension and agricultural programs at 溏心vlog免费B站. 鈥淲e want to recognize work happening around the state, confront challenges, and chart a path forward with confidence so Rhode Island鈥檚 food system can rise to the moment.鈥�
The 2026 Rhode Island Food System Summit is free and open to the public. .
The Food Summit is sponsored by 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 College of the Environment and Life Sciences, with support from sponsors Vicente鈥檚 Tropical Supermarket, PRESS (), and Rhode Island Commerce. For more information, contact ltownson@uri.edu.
WHO: Melissa Cherney, Rhode Island Community Food Bank; along with 溏心vlog免费B站 researchers and experts; local industry leaders and community partners; and more. Visit the Rhode Island Food System Summit for a .
WHAT: The ninth annual Rhode Island Food System Summit: Meet the Moment: What are we doing now?
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, 9 a.m. 鈥� 4:30 p.m. (snow date, Jan. 20)
WHERE: This year鈥檚 Rhode Island Food System Summit will be held on the 溏心vlog免费B站 Kingston Campus, 120 Flagg Road, Kingston. .