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 30^th 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