Traverse City, MI: Groundwork Center Seeks 10 Cents a Meal Fellow, May 21 deadline

Reminder: Groundwork Center Seeks 10 Cents a Meal Fellow 

Groundwork Center seeks a dynamic, self-starter to assist with connecting local food to statewide school policy and occasionally with healthcare and wellness initiatives in our region. The key element of the work is in communications, outreach, and evaluation support for a nationally recognized, statewide policy initiative focused on school children's health and local economy entitled 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms.  Learn more at tencentsmichigan.com.

 

As a Fellow you will work with nonprofit staff on important projects, build policy expertise and gain valuable professional development skills. This fellowship is an excellent opportunity to experience food and farming policy advocacy while working for a well-established, community-based nonprofit organization. 

To learn more details about the 10 Cents Fellowship and to find a link to apply, please click here.

The application deadline is Monday, May 21.

Please spread widely!

__________________________

Diane Conners  |  Senior Policy Specialist

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

P   231-499-3937

W  groundworkcenter.org

F   Groundwork Center

T   @grndwk

A  148 E Front St, Suite 301  |  Traverse City, MI 49684 

Service site of FoodCorps.

Member Cultivate Michigan; Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan; and Northwest Michigan Food & Farming Network

Join us at localdifference.org & Farm to School Northwest Michigan

May Michigan Farm to School Newsletter

Hoping the latest Michigan Farm to School news and resources finds you all well as spring weather finally finds its way to Michigan!

 

 

News

 

Michigan Resource recognized at National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

At last month's National Farm to Cafeteria conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, educators, nutrition professionals, farmers, and food systems advocates gathered to learn, share, and engage in field trips and targeted discussions about the food system in the nation's institutions. A Michigan resource was highlighted as part of those discussions, noting how it helps farmers get their products into cafeterias by informing the procedures they use for bidding, pricing, and negotiation of contracts.

 

Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture

Register-Herald

Read more on how the Veterans and Warriors to Agriculture program has saved the life of one veteran. In turn he is now supporting farm to school and the program that saved him to provide support to fellow veterans. 

 

Women's History Month and Farm to School

If today's students are taught about local food "sheroes" past and present, a more complete, equitable history of our nation's food system can be shared.  In the garden, classroom, and cafeteria, it is important to educate students and adults about the women whose work has built and continues our food system toward a more healthy, equitable future.

 

South Carolina Shakes Up School Lunch

Saveur

Four school districts in South Carolina are shaking up the lunchroom and transforming school meals by using innovative techniques. Using strategies such as developing a unique distribution process, running the cafeteria like a restaurant, creating "worm food", and harvesting rooftop garden produce, has enabled South Carolina to put farm to school on the map. Check out their story and read how one Farm School Grantee, Spartanburg District 6, implements Farm to School in ways that work.

 

Chickasaw Nation SNAP-Ed

Chickasaw Nation Nutrition Services SNAP-Ed and other partner organizations have created Eagle Adventure to provide culturally relevant in-class education, family-based, and take-home health homework. One unique aspect of Eagle Adventure is the inclusion of school news announcements and a news and radio program to enable consistent social marketing messages and a multi-generational approach.

 

Farm – to – Institution Programs Help Farms of All Sizes

Farm Flavor

Michigan farms of all sizes are benefiting from the farm to institution programs by delivering Michigan grown foods to local schools and other organizations. By helping food service buyers source and promote Michigan grown foods, locally grown food gets to Michigan residents.

 

Montana is Planting Seeds of a Movement

Flathead Beacon

Innovative programs are taking hold in Montana's schools to equip children with the knowledge and desire to shape our food systems in the coming generations and re-crafting our notions of the food systems through a broad network of people and institutions. One example of the program is Harvest of the Month, which began three years ago as a pilot project and is now a fully formed statewide program with 143 participating K-12 schools. 

 

Iowa School's Greenhouse is Cultivating an Interest in Gardening

Clayton County Register

Thanks to a growing interest in gardening and the availability of a greenhouse, Central students have been able to stock their school salad bar with leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes during the winter months.

 

Washington Students Enjoy Food Performance

PT Leader

Quilcene High School students were treated to a food performance from Chef Arran Stark. He shared with them the importance of eating seasonally, offered cooking tips and tricks, and shared the story of his journey to becoming a chef.

 

Nutrition: Gardening Interventions to Increase Vegetable Consumption Among Children

The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends school-based gardening interventions in combination with nutrition education to increase vegetable consumption among children. The interventions will provide children with hands-on experience with planting and harvesting healthy produce and through these experiences could increase their willingness to consume both fruits and vegetables, leading to a healthier life.

 

Gardening with Minnesota Class

University of MN Extension- Youtube

Master Gardeners help Minnesota students at Crossroads grow and donate 13,000 pounds of vegetables to food shelves in a single season. This not only helps the community but helps educate the students on growing healthy produce.

 

California Students Run their own Food Business out of a Classroom

Berkleyside

The Growing Leaders class at Willard Middle School prepares about 300 meals every two weeks, often with produce they've grown themselves, even packaging online orders for customers who've pre-ordered meals. This students are learning many lessons from this class from how to be on time and working together to the process of growing and preparing food.

 

10 Cents a Meal: New Michigan Department of Education Legislative Report

Learn about Michigan's 10 Cents a Meal program in the new Michigan Department of Education's 2017-2018 Legislative Report. The 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms pilot program provides grant- winning school districts with up to 10 Cents a Meal in matching funds to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and dry beans. 

 

Events

2018 MDE-SNAM Michigan June Nutrition Conference

"Nourishing the Whole Person the Whole Year"

Deadline: June 8^th // Hotel Registration Deadline: May 17^th

Michigan Department of Education's (MDE) Office of Health and Nutrition Services (OHNS) and the School Nutrition Association of Michigan (SNAM) will host the June Nutrition Conference professionals of food distribution programs, child and adult feeding programs, school nutrition, other professionals, and people interested in the fields of nutrition, food programming, school management, government, and public health. The conference will be held at the Amway Grand Place, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 18 to 20. 

 

Resources

 

National Garden Month

May is National Garden Month! Gardening is a perfect activity to engage children and students of all ages. From discovering how food grows, to understanding nutrition and agriculture-related concepts, check out the links below to help connect children and students to gardening:

• Harvest for Healthy Kids
• Dig In! Standards-Based Nutrition Education from the Ground Up
• Grow It, Try It, Like It! The Strawberry Patch
• Discover MyPlate: Planting Seeds for Healthier Eating
• The Great Garden Detective Adventure

 

School's Out… And We're Already Thinking About Next Year's School Lunch

Here are five great tools for School Nutrition Professionals!

1.      Visit the Professional Standards Training Database to find trainings on a number of school meal topics.

2.      Check out the new CN Label Manufacturers Report and CN Label Verification Report.

3.      Try fun new USDA Standardized Recipes that the kids would love.

4.      Find USDA-approved software for nutrient analysis in the school meals programs.

5.      Use the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs to help plan amounts of food needed for school meals

 

Western Region States Launch Farm to Summer Week

Summer is fast approaching and that means the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is getting ready. This summer, several states in the Western region are taking Farm to Summer one step further with Farm to Summer Week. Summer is the perfect time to source local food for your summer meals program. Click here for resources to grow your SFSP.

 

Building Healthy Communities Step Up for School Wellness Grant

Due: September 30^th, 2018

Want to create a marketing program designed to increase meal participation, fruit and vegetable selections for your students? Applications are open for schools to be selected to receive $1000 for grant activities. For further information visit the Request for Applications.

  

Webinar: Food Service Directors

Learn and hear about successful stories about district-wide farm to school education initiatives from three 10 Cents a Meal grantees from Michigan. Learn tips on how to engage parent volunteers, teachers, and administrators in activities as well as taste test and information about school garden participation. 

 

Webinar: Educators and Administrators

Learn practical strategies for implementing hands-on-farm to school learning activities designed by curriculum specialists here in Michigan. Hear about the how farm to school positively impacts student success, health, and behavior. 

 

Food Buying Guide Mobile App

The Food Buying Guide (FBG) is the essential resource for food yield information for all Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). This app can help with searching and locating information for foods typically served in CNP. Compare information to determine the foods that best meet your program needs and create a favorites list of food item, email and print search results, and food comparisons.

 

CACFP Training Tools

These colorful and engaging materials can be used to empower Child and Adult Care Food Program providers and operators with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to implement the updated CACFP meal pattern requirements in their program.

 

Million for Farm to School included in Funding Bill 

Great news and big victory for Farm to School Movement! The final bill, which was signed by the President, includes $5 million in discretionary funding for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program, which doubles the current available funding for this highly impact program for one year.

 

 

Enjoy the week,

Meagan

 

 

Meagan K. Shedd, PhD
Assistant Professor, Farm to Early Care and K-12 Education
Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University
Department of Community Sustainability | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
480 Wilson Rd, Room 309 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
517.432.4525 | mshedd@anr.msu.edu

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

Traverse City, MI: Groundwork Center Seeks 10 Cents a Meal Fellow, May 21 deadline

Groundwork Center Seeks 10 Cents a Meal Fellow 

Groundwork Center seeks a dynamic, self-starter to assist with connecting local food to statewide school policy and occasionally with healthcare and wellness initiatives in our region. The key element of the work is in communications, outreach, and evaluation support for a nationally recognized, statewide policy initiative focused on school children's health and local economy entitled 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms.  Learn more at tencentsmichigan.com.

 

As a Fellow you will work with nonprofit staff on important projects, build policy expertise and gain valuable professional development skills. This fellowship is an excellent opportunity to experience food and farming policy advocacy while working for a well-established, community-based nonprofit organization. 

To learn more details about the 10 Cents Fellowship and to find a link to apply, please click here.

The application deadline is Monday, May 21.

Please spread widely!

__________________________

Diane Conners  |  Senior Policy Specialist

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

P   231-499-3937

W  groundworkcenter.org

F   Groundwork Center

T   @grndwk

A  148 E Front St, Suite 301  |  Traverse City, MI 49684 

Service site of FoodCorps.

Member Cultivate Michigan; Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan; and Northwest Michigan Food & Farming Network

Join us at localdifference.org & Farm to School Northwest Michigan

FoodCorps Michigan Program Coordinator position is open!

FoodCorps Michigan Program Coordinator

 

Apply for this Position

 

Who We Are:

FoodCorps believes every school should be a healthy school and every child – regardless of race, place or class – deserves to be well nourished and ready to learn.  In underserved communities across the country, our AmeriCorps leaders teach students about healthy food through hands-on lessons, partner with farmers and food service workers to create nutritious and delicious school meals, and collaborate with communities to ensure a long-term culture of health.  Building on this foundation of direct impact, FoodCorps pursues systemic strategies that will benefit all of our nation’s 100,000 schools.

 

What We’re Looking For:

FoodCorps seeks a motivated and passionate individual to lead, coach, and support a cohort of 15+ FoodCorps service members and FoodCorps programming in Michigan under the direction of the Michigan Program Director. The Program Coordinator will play a critical role in the delivery of high quality, high fidelity programming statewide by assisting with the training and ongoing coaching to service members, the selection and management of service sites, and the day-to-day program administration tasks. They will have experience leading young teams and be excited to support new, pre-professional leaders. This newly created position will help to establish the FoodCorps Michigan field office and will help to guide the program in Michigan through many changes. The ability to learn, adapt, and work through ambiguity will be important in this role!  Successful candidates will be mission-driven with a passion for national service.

This full time position will be based in the FoodCorps Michigan field office and will require frequent in-state and occasional out of state travel.

 

Who You Are:

You are passionate about FoodCorps’ mission, and excited about the prospect of coaching and supporting emerging leaders to implement high quality programs in schools across the state. You have a commitment to diversity and inclusion with a desire to work for health equity and social and racial justice. You are a creative problem-solver with demonstrated leadership ability who is adept at coaching and supporting diverse individuals, both in person and remotely. You are thoughtful and compassionate, with the ability to handle technical, personal, and interpersonal challenges—professionally and with care. You approach challenges with a solutions-oriented perspective. You have impeccable attention to detail and thrive in a deadline driven environment. You thoroughly complete tasks assigned to you and are able to seamlessly manage multiple projects at the same time. You are known for your enthusiasm as well as your “no task too small” attitude, which is necessary for our fast-growing, creative, entrepreneurial organization. You are comfortable with ambiguity and eager to collaborate with FoodCorps as we build a high impact service program nation-wide.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Service Member Training, Management, and Support
  • Building and leading a statewide cohort and network of service members
  • Serving as the first point of contact in the state field office for the service member cohort, providing technical assistance with service activities, offering advice on personal challenges, and coaching to achieve programmatic quality and fidelity
  • Developing strong relationships with site supervisors and school contacts to ensure service members receive appropriate direction and support at the site and school levels
  • Collaborating with the Program Director to plan state orientation and monthly formal or informal trainings and gatherings for service members during the program year. They will identify and fill gaps in training to ensure members thrive in their service.
  • Supporting the implementation of strong local recruitment strategies and practices, and managing the service member selection process in partnership with the Program Director and service sites.

• Program Management and Administration
  • Conducting a minimum of 2 in-person site visits with each service member in the state to observe programming, deliver feedback, support improvements, and celebrate successes
  • Ensuring that FoodCorps, service members, service sites, and schools are meeting FoodCorps and AmeriCorps compliance requirements
  • Using data related to program quality, compliance, and satisfaction to drive communication and programmatic adjustments
  • Acting as the liaison between FoodCorps and service members in the state, facilitating information-sharing between these parties, including communicating key program requirements to service members and communicating requests from service members to FoodCorps
  • Supporting the Program Director with the cultivation of new service site partnerships, and evaluating the alignment of existing sites.
  • Providing the Program Director and national team with current data and input regarding best practices based on knowledge gained through the observation of program activities and impact.
  • Supporting the planning and implementation of site visits with potential donors Michigan and beyond
  • Support the planning and delivery of training for service site supervisors. 
  • Identify and plan opportunities for engaging local FoodCorps alumni throughout the year where appropriate.
  • Providing additional administrative and operational support as needed and requested by the Program Director.

• Organizational Support  
  • Supporting FoodCorps program implementation through research and evaluation, professional development, recruitment, and fundraising and policy initiatives as needed and requested
  • Participating in the development and implementation of national training events
  • Helping to develop and identify effective initiatives and examples of exemplary partnerships in the state for replication elsewhere
  • Acting as an outstanding public spokesperson and representative on behalf of FoodCorps through earned media and social media outreach, special events, recruitment efforts, and other opportunities

 

Skills of the Ideal Candidate:

• A self-starter, with ability to collaborate and build strong rapport with team members both in-person and remotely
• Previous experience leading and coaching groups of volunteers
• Experience managing ongoing deliverables and project deadlines
• Skilled at developing and managing relationships across varied stakeholders, including service members, service site partners, and school administrators
• Ability to plan and facilitate high quality trainings and other professional learning experiences
• Ability to take direction, manage up, and manage horizontally
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal acumen
• Comfort and competence in working with people from a diversity of backgrounds
• Comfort using online and social media platforms for communication, organization, and collaboration
• Knowledge of FoodCorps or other national service programs and/or familiarity with school or district contexts, and/or farm to school, garden, or nutrition education programming is preferred

 

How to Apply:

Applications will be accepted until our ideal candidate is identified. To be considered, submit your résumé, cover letter and salary requirements through our hiring site at http://foodcorps.hiringthing.com/ .

FoodCorps pays salaries that are competitive with nonprofits of our budget size and geographic location, and offers generous vacation and medical benefits, 401(k) matching, professional development funds and a sabbatical policy. This position is a Coordinator-level role with an annual salary range beginning at $31,000.00/yr.

People of color, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  FoodCorps is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. FoodCorps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

 

Location: Detroit, MI 

 

 

 

 

FW: Building Healthy Communities Mini-Grant

Dear Michigan Farm to School Network:

Please see the mini-grant RFA through Building Healthy Communities forwarded from MDE (see attachment and link below).

 

If schools apply through this grant and select "Smarter Lunchrooms" they get $1000.  The lessons are taught in a classroom by a teacher (5^th, 6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grade +).

Students create a intervention to increase fruit and veg selection/consumption and decrease food waste. Students measure food waste pre and post and report out to the community their findings.

Here is the full RFA http://buildinghealthycommunities.arewehealthy.com/documents/BHC_SUFSW_C5_RFA_FINAL.pdf

 

Best,

Meagan

 

 

Meagan K. Shedd, PhD
Assistant Professor, Farm to Early Care and K-12 Education
Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University
Department of Community Sustainability | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
480 Wilson Rd, Room 309 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
517.432.4525 | mshedd@anr.msu.edu

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3+ OPENINGS on Farm to School Team in Traverse City: DEADLINE APRIL 19

Are you passionate about healthy food, farms, and kids? The Traverse Bay Intermediate School District is hiring a two part-time Farm to School Support Staff members and 1-2 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA Service Members to advance farm to school initiatives and activities across elementary schools in northwest lower Michigan. The position is based in Traverse City, Michigan.

These positions are aimed at helping local schools teach the importance of eating healthy foods and living a healthy lifestyle. The goal is to support and encourage teachers by providing them with classroom tools that use cooking, gardening, nutrition, and farming as a lens through which to have a deeper and richer learning experience. It's a great job for those that love food, kids, education, local farming, and community enrichment.

Projects that the support staff and VISTAs will help coordinate may include cooking demonstrations in partnership with local chefs, coordinating pop-up farmer's markets, and facilitating school garden development. The VISTA will also be in charge of maintaining and updating a resource website as needed with new content and material. There will be many opportunities to brainstorm and initiate other projects that demonstrate the value of farm to school to community stakeholders.

Strong applicants should be great communicators, and able to work well both collaboratively and independently with varying amounts of given structure. Applicants should have an interest in education, local food, and/or creating an equitable community of health.

Applications for the TBAISD Farm to School Support Staff Position can be accessed here.

VISTA position can be accessed here.

The deadline to apply is April 19, 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact Ranae McCauley (ranae@unitedwaynwmi.org), Steve Urbanski, (surbanski@tbaisd.org), or Meghan McDermott (meghan@groundworkcenter.org).

--

Meghan McDermott | Food & Farming Program Director

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

E   meghan@groundworkcenter.org

P   231-941-6584 x718

W  groundworkcenter.org

F   Groundwork Center

T   @grndwk

A  148 E Front St, Suite 301  |  Traverse City, MI 49684

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is a Traverse City based non-profit. Our work is member-funded and community-driven. Protect what you love. Become a member of Groundwork today.

Supporting Partner for National Farm to School Network

Service Site Supervisor for FoodCorps. Read more about our program on the FoodCorps Northern Michigan Blog!

Healthful Food for All Task Force Leader for Northwest Michigan Food & Farming Network

Groundwork Center Fellowship Program Founder

Member Cultivate Michigan; Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan

Grassroots Council Member, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Join us at localdifference.org & Farm to School Northwest Michigan & farmtoschool.tbaisd.org

MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Rethinking Procurement: The Complexity of Advancing Local and Regional ECE and K-12 Procurement Systems Webinar: April 3, 11 am-12:30 pm

Upcoming Webinar that may be of interest:

 

Rethinking Procurement: The Complexity of Advancing Local and Regional ECE and K-12 Procurement Systems

April 3 // 11am-12:30pm ET

Join KHA Inc. for the Rethinking Procurement: The Complexity of Advancing Local and Regional ECE and K-12 Procurement Systems webinar, featuring leaders and experts in ECE settings and K-12 schools, who will provide context and grounding in food procurement policies, implementation, model successes and critical solutions to barriers. The Rethinking Procurement webinar will explore the complexity of ECE and K-12 procurement systems and nuances in the process of obtaining healthy, local, and sustainably grown food. Register here. 

 

 

Meagan K. Shedd, PhD
Assistant Professor, Farm to Early Care and K-12 Education
Center for Regional Food Systems
Department of Community Sustainability
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan State University
Natural Resources Building
480 Wilson Rd, Room 309
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
517.432.4525
mshedd@anr.msu.edu