January News

 

Here are the latest farms to school news bites!

NEWS

“USDA announces $25 million in school kitchen equipment grants” These grants will help schools that are part of the National School Lunch Program replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient food service equipment.

“Michelle Obama to Unveil Anti-Obesity Initiative” As childhood obesity increases, first lady Michelle Obama is reaching out to the nation’s mayors to take more steps towards obesity prevention.

“Kids, Good Food, and the White House” Check out this blog post by Diane Conners of the Michigan Land Use Institute about White House Chef Sam Kass and the Obama Administration’s efforts to support good food, and some key initiatives and legislative efforts.

 

EVENTS

Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference
Saturday, January 30, 2010 with keynote speaker, Melissa Hemmelgarn, on Friday, January 29th
Grayling High School in Grayling, MI
http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=26792

Michigan Good Food Summit
February 25, 2010 in Lansing, MI
www.michiganfood.org

2010 Michigan Organic Conference
Sponsored by Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance (MOFFA)
March 5-6, 2010 in East Lansing, MI (Kellogg Conference Center)
For more information, see attachment.

Choices 2010, Collaboration: There's Room at the Table 
Wednesday, March 10 -11, 2010 in East Lansing, MI
Registration opens Jan. 11, 2010 
http://web7.anr.msu.edu/choices/Home.aspx

Farm to School: Setting the Table for Wellness
Sponsored by the Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI)
Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, MI
localdifference.org/farmtoschool and see the brochure attached

National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
May 17-19, 2010 in Detroit, MI
Farm to Cafeteria Conference website

 

RESOURCES

A new farm to school manual from Oklahoma - School Tips, Tools & Guidelines for Food Distribution & Food Safety - is intended to provide information, insight and useful tools for farmers and school food service directors interested in FtS program participation, distribution and food safety.

 

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