The term “food security” describes the degree to which individuals and households feel secure with their ability to reliably access food on a regular basis. Most of us are fortunate enough feel “food secure.” But the number of individuals and families in Rhode Island who face food insecurity is growing.

The Rhode Island Food Bank reported that, in 2024, 38% of households in Rhode Island were food insecure. Within that same report, a staggering 47% of Black households and 55% of Latino households were food insecure. With growing income inequality, skyrocketing food costs, and recent attacks on food assistance programs at the federal level, what was already a crisis has only gotten worse. This is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions; there is no “silver bullet.” But looking to bolster our own local food system is an important piece.

Most food on Rhode Island tables today comes from hundreds of miles away, a sobering reminder of how far removed we’ve become from the local farms and fisheries that once fed our communities. Just a few generations ago, neighborhood markets and regional supply chains kept food fresh and accessible, connecting people directly to the sources of their meals. For most of us, we never had to question the security of that food supply — its reliability was simply assumed.

Today, that connection is no longer a given; it’s rarely present at all. Our reliance on food from other states or overseas — transported through complex and costly networks — makes communities vulnerable to disruption. Extreme weather, transportation delays, cyberattacks, and international trade disputes can all interrupt what ends up on our table.

The challenge is clear for communities, planners, and local advocates alike: how can we strengthen regional food systems to increase access to a safe, nutritious food supply — even in the face of disruption? The answer lies, in part, with the strategic use of land, carefully considered zoning, and a proactive approach to planning that treats food security as an essential component of community resilience.

Planning for local food production is not about reverting to a preindustrial system. We’re not talking about going back to the ox and cart. It’s about maximizing the capacity we still have while preparing for a future in which reliability cannot be taken for granted. Local and regional food systems — including small farms, community-supported agriculture, and regional processing and distribution networks — can reduce dependence on distant supply chains while creating economic opportunity. In a small, densely populated state like Rhode Island, this also means creatively repurposing underutilized parcels, supporting urban agriculture, and coordinating regionally to strengthen the food system as a whole.

Zoning and land-use planning is where much of this work begins. Municipalities can encourage agricultural use on remaining open land, preserve farmland through protective zoning, and allow flexible, mixed-use models that integrate production, processing, and distribution. State-administered efforts such as the federally funded Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program help reinforce these goals by strengthening supply chain capacity, including processing and distribution, across Rhode Island’s local food system.

Access to infrastructure such as water, electricity, and transportation also remains essential, and planning can help target investments where they will have the greatest impact. Building on these efforts, these strategies align with broader agricultural and land-use priorities advanced by the Department of Environmental Management and reinforce the need to ensure equitable access to locally produced food across all communities.

From planning principles to practical steps, building a stronger local food system requires both data and community input. Land assessments, vulnerability analyses, and participatory mapping can help municipalities identify gaps and opportunities while addressing longstanding inequities. Organizations such as the Rhode Island Food Policy Council help connect these planning efforts across sectors, while groups like the Rhode Island Farm Bureau and Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island provide critical advocacy and on-the-ground insight from producers and land stewards. Together, these organizations can ensure food system planning captures real opportunities across the state.

Emergency preparedness also intersects directly with food system resilience. Extreme weather events, supply chain disruptions, and economic shocks can all limit access to supply. This underscores the importance of “food resilience,” the ability of local systems to maintain access under stress. Bringing food system planning into hazard mitigation strategies, comprehensive plans, and climate adaptation work strengthens Rhode Island’s ability to respond to both expected and unexpected disruptions.

Across Rhode Island, organizations are already showing what this work looks like in practice. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is helping connect local growers to schools, institutions, and communities through innovative distribution programs. Its Hope’s Harvest initiative reduces food waste by recovering surplus crops from farms and delivering them to hunger relief organizations, strengthening both food access and farm viability. These efforts, alongside broader infrastructure investments like RFSI, show intentional planning can translate directly into stronger, more resilient food systems.

The time to act is now. Climate change, global trade uncertainty, and demographic shifts are increasing pressure on food systems. Making local and regional food production a planning priority helps build systems that can adapt to changing conditions, maintain stability during disruptions, and ensure equitable access to nutritious food.

For planners, policymakers, and residents alike, the challenge is clear: integrate food system considerations into land-use planning, zoning, and infrastructure investment in ways that strengthen resilience and expand opportunity.

Local food production is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity. Prioritizing it through planning and policy strengthens public health, secures the food supply, and builds long-term community stability for generations to come.

Nate Kelly is president of the Horsley Witten Group.