Roger Williams University: Exploring Intersections Between Shellfish Aquaculture, Education, And Institutional Procurement

Press release from Roger Williams University:

Elise Dudley

April 25, 2023

BRISTOL, R.I. – Bon Appétit Management Company at Roger Williams University is proud to be participating in the 2023 Northeast Farm to Institution Summit, to shine a light on the university’s leadership in the blue economy and regional seafood industry through aquaculture extension, sustainability education, and institutional procurement.

On April 27, food system professionals from across the Northeast will be spending a day at Roger Williams University to tour the Shellfish Program and learn about the lifecycle of shellfish from hatchery to nursery, and grow-out.

As part of the Summit, the university community and public are invited to join a panel discussion, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in the Mary Tefft White Room in the University Library, with industry experts to expand on local aquaculture, the power of institutional procurement, and student engagement. The conversation will include a local fisherman, sustainability educator, executive chef, food service provider, faculty researcher, and a student.

Speakers throughout the day include:

A special lunch at the university’s Dining Commons highlighting local shellfish will be served that is also open to the university community and guests from the public attending the panel discussion.

“We are honored to play a role in strengthening our regional food system through bringing together changemakers from across the Northeast,” said James Gubata, General Manager of Bon Appétit Management Company at Roger Williams University

Beyond shellfish aquaculture, the Summit event at RWU will explore how institutional procurement has the potential to uplift local producers and ecologically sound methods of food production, while simultaneously educating the student body and community with exposure to shellfish aquaculture and its ties to the local food economy.

For more information on the Northeast Farm to Institute Summit, visit https://www.f2isummit.org.

This press release was produced by the Roger Williams University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.