Farm Fresh Rhode Island Receives $40,000 Grant From Newman’s Own Foundation

PAWTUCKET, RI– Farm Fresh Rhode Island has been awarded a $40,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, the independent foundation created by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman. The funding is part of the Foundation’s two-year, $7 million commitment to innovative programs that are helping to advance nutrition awareness, education, and fresh food access.

The grant to Farm Fresh Rhode Island will be used to support the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families (HFHF) program for the 2014 season. HFHF offers a curriculum of nutrition and local food systems education at farmers markets.. The curriculum for both parents and children includes cooking demonstrations featuring healthy recipes, free samples of fruits and vegetables for tasting, and hands-on activities such as farmers market scavenger hunts and games. The program is taught in both English and Spanish and also includes incentives for families to return to the markets multiple times throughout the season, in the form of reusable shopping bags, children’s books, recipes, and tokens for purchasing fresh foods at the market.

“”Farm Fresh is so gratified to be receiving funds from the Newman’s Own Foundation, a foundation rooted in good food and good works,” said Farm Fresh Rhode Island Co-Executive Director Sheri Griffin.  “Both Farm Fresh and Newman’s Own know that good food can lead to positive social change. It’s a delight to receive this grant, and with this support, continue our work promoting local foods and good nutrition.”

The Newman’s Own Foundation is dedicated to Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s mission to grow a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of RI farmers and eaters.

“There is great momentum right now in addressing the many challenging issues around nutrition,” said Lisa Walker, Managing Director of Newman’s Own Foundation. “We are pleased to award a grant to Farm Fresh Rhode Island to support their important contributions in this area.”

Paul Newman, the actor and philanthropist who founded Newman’s Own, passed away on September 26, 2008. Now, five years later, his legacy continues as Newman’s Own continues to give away 100% of the profits and royalties from the sale of its food products to charity. Since the company’s founding in 1982, over $380 million has been donated to thousands of organizations, with $125 million donated in the past five years alone.

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