Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grant program webinar

The LASA Grant Program provides grants that directly benefit and strengthen the local food system in Rhode Island. The program was established by the Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) of 2012 via an innovative public-private partnership between the state and three private foundations — the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. Currently, the program is made possible by funding from the State of Rhode Island. The goal of the LASA grant program is to support the growth, development, and marketing of local food and seafood in Rhode Island.

LASA grants are available to for-profit farmers, fishermen/women, and producer groups, as are non-profit organizations. Applicants must be based in the State of Rhode Island. The Advisory Committee will value geographic diversity in the applicant pool when making award determinations. Only Small and/or Beginning farmers, or producer groups of small or beginning farmers, are eligible to apply for capital grants. (Aquaculture operators are considered farmers in this regard).

Request for Applications Released: October 1, 2023

Applications due: November 30, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Technical Assistance will be offered via a webinar hosted by the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC). You can register here [us02web.zoom.us]. The webinar will take place on Monday, October 23rd from 3:30-5pm via Zoom and made available on both the RI DEM and RIFPC websites.

Additional one-on-one technical assistance will be provided by RIFPC. To request assistance, you can fill out this form. You may also contact Maggie Longo at lasahelp@rifoodcouncil.org or 401-490-5687.