Providence offers many options for buying local and fresh. Check out our recommendations below. For a complete list of farmers markets and more informations about buying local, visit Farm Fresh Food.
Healthy Foods Healthy Families Program
Farm Fresh Food’s Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program has been empowering low-income Rhode Island families with the tools to shop for and cook affordable fresh foods for five years and counting. This works through a series of hands-on activities, offered in English and Spanish, at the farmers market that run from July 6- October 31. Parents go with their children to the market where the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families staff offers free samples, games, recipes, financial incentives, and giveaways. The farmers markets that are currently participating in this program include Armory Park (Providence’s westside), Broad St. (Providence’s southside), Neutaconkanut Park (Providence’s westside), Pawtucket, West Warwick, and Woonsocket markets.
Community Supported Agriculture
A community-supported agriculture (CSA) or community-supported fishery (CSF) program is a prepaid seasonal subscription to a local farm’s produce, meat or eggs or a local fishery’s catch. The prepaid CSA arrangements also make it a source of financial security for the farmer. Find the full list of CSAs in Rhode Island and their pick up days here. For frequent updates visit FarmFresh.org/CSA.
Outdoor Farmers Markets
Hope St. Farmers Market
The Hope Street Farmers Market is a farmer-run cooperative created and managed by many of the best farmers and food artisans in Rhode Island. We sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, seafood, poultry and eggs, and many other items that we grow, make or raise ourselves. Hope St. farmer’s market is the largest in the area. Saturday 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and Wednesday 3:00- 6:00.
Armory Farmers Market
Sign up for Market Share CSA and we’ll shop for you, with a prearranged medley of fresh veggies and fruits from the farmers at the Armory Market waiting for you each week. Visit here. This program is very popular with customers… sign up soon! This market also offers the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program! Thursdays 3:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Broad St. Farmers Market
The Broad Street Market opened in 2002, and offers a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables. Saturdays 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Pawtucket/ Slater Park Farmers Market
The Slater Park farmers market is right inside Slater Park off of Armistice Blvd, near the tennis courts! Map of exact location: http://g.co/maps/a4p7a This expanded market offers a wide variety of local foods in a family-friendly location. Pick up a snack of sweet strawberries or crunchy cucumbers and sit in the park to enjoy. Sundays 12:00-4:00
Neutaconkanut Hill Farmers Market
This market is in Neutaconkanut Park on Plainfield Street, right near the pool and skate park by the Park Rec Center. Visible from Plainfield Street! There will be no market on Labor Day – Monday, September 2nd. Mondays 3:00-6:00
Eden East Farm Dinners
August 19, 20, 21, and 22, Eden East, led by Owner and Executive Chef Sonya Coté—a Rhode Island native—is traveling to the east coast for the Eden East farm dinner series hosted by Horseshoe Farm, a private estate surrounded by miles of fences along the coastal countryside in Westerly, RI. The acclaimed Austin eatery brings its exquisite dining experience easterly, merging its bold Texas flavors and ingredients with local products from New England farmers.
Restaurants that Serve Locally Sourced Foods
Narragansett Creamery
Produces artisan cheeses made from local milk.
Al Forno
Known best for grilled pizzas, baked pastas and desserts, all made from Rhode Island farms.
Matunuck Oyster Bar
Locally harvested shellfish and produce are served fresh daily at this waterfront restaurant.
The Sunnyside
Locally sourced ingredients are used at this artisan breakfast and lunch restaurant.
New Rivers
One of the first and most loved farm-to-table restaurants in Providence.
Village Hearth Bakery Cafe
Grain is milled on the premises and is used with other local ingredients at this artisan bakery in Jamestown.
The Local CatchLocal seafood producer and wholesaler selling local seafood to residents of Rhode Island. Works to provide seasonal, fresh and sustainably caught seafood, which can be purchased at various farmers’ markets. Offers CSF.
What’s you favorite place to eat locally? Let us know in the comments.
