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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Hidden Valley Love Your Veggies Grant Program

Hello again,

Hidden Valley’s Love Your Veggies Grant Program is another funding source that might be of interest for schools that hope to improve children’s access to and consumption of fresh fruits and veggies in school cafeterias. Grant funding may cover the following:

·         fresh fruits and vegetables

·         a vegetable station like a salad bar

·         kitchen equipment related to fruit and vegetable preparation and service

·         program staffing

·         nutrition education supplies

·         food safety training

 

Again, this is a great opportunity for some initial assistance in incorporating farm to school into school meals programs! Please click here for more information including links to the application checklist and the grant application. Proposal are due by November 9th, 2009.

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

2009-2010 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program applications are now available!

Hi all,

The Michigan Department of Education has just made available applications for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grants for the 2009/10 school year. Please click here for more information.

 

Interested applicants should first review the bulleted documents on this website – FFVP Grant Available Memo, Applying for the 2009/10 FFVP,  and Application Scoring Criteria  – as they contain new and important information about the grant program for this year. Only elementary schools with 50% or more students eligible for free and reduced-price meals may apply. Applications are due by September 24, 2009.

 

This grant program is a great way to increase kids’ access to fresh produce, including locally-grown fruits and vegetables!

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Monday, August 24, 2009

Michigan Farm to School News - August

Greetings!

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

Produce truck is healthy option in Detroit

Check out this story about the Peaches & Greens produce truck in Detroit that was featured in the Lansing State Journal and on National Public Radio.

 

Stars Aligning on School Lunches

This story from the New York Times discusses the recent School Nutrition Association conference in Las Vegas, and the push for improving the quality of school food through the up-coming Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

 

“Whole Foods Teams with Ann Cooper on School Lunch Programs”

This LA Times story highlights the partnership between Whole Foods and the “Renegade Lunch Lady” to improve school food and launch a new website with nutritional tips and other resources.

 

The USDA recently clarified in a series of question and answers that school food service funds may be used to purchase seeds and other items for the purposes of starting and maintaining school gardens, as long as the gardens are part of the school food service program and/or educational lessons and any revenues go back into food service. This document can be viewed at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2009/SP_32-2009_os.pdf.

 

EVENTS

2009 Farm and Grazing Tour

Hosted by Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) Ag Stewardship Committee

Friday, August 28, 2009
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Triple H Farms in St. Johns and AppleSchram Orchard in Charlotte

Please see attachment for full details.

Please contact the MIFFS Office at (517) 432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu with questions or to register. There is no cost to attend b

Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Earthworks Urban Farm Hosts Harvest Dinner

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Gleaners Food Bank
2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207.

 

Ticket information is available online at www.cskdetroit.org/earthworks or contact Lisa via email at earthworks@cskdetroit.org or call 313-579-2100, ext 204. Tickets are $15 - $100 (sliding scale).

Please see attachments for more information. Reservation deadline is Friday, September 4!

 

Select Michigan September Capitol Lawn Farmers Market

Thursday, September 17, 2009
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Vendors who are interested in reserving booth space on the Capitol Lawn for the market must fully complete the application and biography form by August 24, 2009 at 5 p.m.!

 

Forms are available online at http://www.selectmichigan.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:sm-capitol-fm&catid=31:welcome&Itemid=46 and are also attached.

 

Hungry Planet Healthy Schools Symposium

Hosted by the Ark and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
7:00-8:30 p.m.

The Ark
316 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor

Please see attachment for more details. This event is free and open to the public!

 

Sustainable Stoup Competition

Hosted by the Michigan Envirothon

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Grand Ledge, MI

Check out the attached flyer for more information on how to participate in this event which will highlight locally-grown and sustainably raised food! Poster also attached.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

The Michigan State University Student Organic Farm (SOF) is seeking a full time Production Manager for its 10 acre certified organic year-round teaching farm. Applications will be accepted through September 30th or until the position is filled. Please see the attachment for job description and how to apply.

 

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

Friday, August 14, 2009

FW: THE RENEGADE LUNCH LADY

Greetings all,

You may be interested in checking out this radio show tomorrow (12 pm EST) featuring chef and farm to school advocate and practitioner, Ann Cooper.

 

Enjoy the weekend,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

From: listener-bounces@lists.got.net [mailto:listener-bounces@lists.got.net] On Behalf Of Michael Olson
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 10:17 AM
To: listener@lists.got.net
Subject: THE RENEGADE LUNCH LADY

 

A FOOD CHAIN RADIO RELEASE FROM METROFARM.COM

Fish sticks, tater tots, and sloppy joes…  If we are what we eat, then what have school lunches allowed us to become?  And looking to our future…

Can schools serve good food in hard times?

This Saturday at 9am Pacific, Michael Olson’s Food Chain Radio hosts author, chef and Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper for a conversation about the great American school lunch.

Topics include the economic and political ingredients of the typical school lunch; how some schools are bringing fresh, local foods into the cafeteria; and why some believe the school lunch to be the social justice issue of our time. 

Listen on your radio, computer or IPOD: Food Chain Radio

Thursday, August 6, 2009

"Market in the Park" events at State Parks in Sept

Please share the message below with any farmers or specialty food/ag
producers that may be interested.

Thanks!

Dear Michigan Agriculture Product/Specialty Food Producer:

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) are seeking Michigan food and agriculture companies to
showcase their products at two Select Michigan "Market in the Park"
events this fall. The farmers market style events will be held 10 am -
6 pm, Saturday, September 19, at Sterling State Park in Monroe; and
Saturday, September 26, at Van Buren State Park in South Haven.

This is the first year the two departments have partnered on events
that combine the promotion of food and agriculture businesses in
Michigan with enjoyment of our state's natural treasures - its state
parks.

The markets will be held in conjunction with annual harvest festivals
at the state parks, and with other special activities, including a wine
tasting tent and an eco-friendly music festival. You can participate at
one or both of the markets. All products sold must be Michigan grown,
processed or manufactured food and/or agriculture products. All
processed foods sold must be prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen.


Vendor space is open to any Michigan grower, specialty food processor
or non-food agricultural product producer (wool, herb or soy-based
products, etc.). Cost per space is $25 for each event, which includes a
daily pass into the park for one vehicle. All vendors MUST be set up
and ready to serve customers by 10 a.m. on the day of the market. MDA
and DNR can not be responsible for any loss incurred by vendors during
the show.

Parking is near by, so set-up should be relatively easy. The setting
for the market is beautiful, near the beach at both state parks.

An application form and contract are attached, along with information
on show rules and show hours. Deadline for reserving vendor space is
Wednesday, September 9.

We have already begun to promote this event and expect a great response
to the show. I look forward to working with you at the Markets in the
Parks to promote your Michigan products and business. See you at the
parks!

Sincerely,

Jeanne M. Hausler
Agricultural Tourism & Outreach Manager
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Fairs, Exhibitions & Racing Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
517/373-9790
517/242-2961 cell
517/241-4217 fax
hauslerj@michigan.gov
www.michigan.gov/mda

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Farm to School Meet & Greet

Hi all,

This is just a reminder to be sure to register by this Friday, August 7th if you’d like to attend the Farm to School Meet & Greet on August 10th in East Lansing. Please help spread the word, especially to local farmers!

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers and school food service directors, please join us for a Michigan Farm to School Meet & Greet!

 

This Meet & Greet event will give school food service directors and farmers a chance to meet each other and develop farm to school programs in their areas. School food service directors from Calhoun, Ingham, and Oakland Counties, among others, are expected to attend.

 

If you are a school food service director who is ready to bring local foods into  your school meals program or a farmer interested in selling your products to local schools, please join us for this event and get connected!

 

Where: Community Room at MSU Federal Credit Union

600 Crescent Rd., East Lansing, MI

 

When: Monday, August 10th, 2009

1-3 pm

 

The Meet & Greet will be followed by an optional tour from 3:30 – 5 pm of the Student Organic Farm (3291 College Rd in Holt, MI) and its six hoophouses with Outreach Coordinator Adam Montri.

 

Space is limited! To register for this event, please contact me at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 by Friday, August 7th.

 

 

Feel free to pass along this notice or the attached flyer!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu