Reminder: Register on-line for the June 24 FSEP Conference!

On-line registration for the June 24 Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) Conference is now open!

 

FSEP is building a better food system in Southeastern Michigan!  With 17 breakout sessions to choose from, there is a topic of interest to everyone. Participants will gain an understanding of the local food system and explore opportunities for growth in production, processing, distribution, sales and consumption of local foods. Learn how to launch your own specialty product, how to integrate farm to school into your school, and how to use the internet to build your farm or food business.

 

Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/

 

Early registration is $40 and must be postmarked by June 8.  Cost includes materials, attendance at sessions and a wonderful lunch of locally sourced food.  After June 8, registration is $50.  Mail-in registration is also available.  The 2010 Conference Brochure can be viewed and printed here:  http://fsepmichigan.org/consumers/2010_Conference_Brochure

Please make checks payable to Food System Economic Partnership, and send them to:

 

Monroe County MSU Extension

963 S. Raisinville Road

Monroe, MI  48161

 

Interested in exhibiting?  Please call or e-mail Jennifer Fike at 734.222.6859 or fikej@fsepmichigan.org.

 

 

Joan Tobin Rozelle

Eat Local Food

637 Emmons Blvd.

Wyandotte, MI  48192

734.341.7028

 

www.eatlocalfood.com

Visit our blog at http://blog.eatlocalfood.com/

 

Register now for the FSEP Conference! June 24, 2010

Registration is Now Open! FSEP Annual Conference - June 24, 2010

Registration is now open for the 5th annual FSEP conference scheduled for June 24, 2010 at the Jackson Career Center located at 6900 Browns Lake Road in Jackson.  The keynote speaker is Michael Sands, Executive Director of the Liberty Prairie Foundation, a private operating foundation dedicated to providing leadership in natural resource management and land conservation in northern Illinois.  He also founded and runs the Farm Business Development Center, a business incubator for beginning organic farmers committed to creating financially rewarding and ecologically healthy farm businesses in the suburban landscape. 

 

A complete list of break-out sessions and registration information can be found at www.fsepmichigan.org. 

 

Interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities?  Please contact Jennifer Fike at fikej@fsepmichigan.org or (734) 222-6859.   

 

 

Joan Tobin Rozelle

Eat Local Food

637 Emmons Blvd.

Wyandotte, MI  48192

734.341.7028

 

www.eatlocalfood.com

Visit our blog at http://blog.eatlocalfood.com/

 

Governor Granholm Proclaims May 16-22 as Local Foods Week in Michigan

Hi all,

Next week is an exciting week for Farm to School in Michigan!

·         Governor Granholm proclaimed May 16-22 as Local Food Week  - http://www.hillsdale.net/living/x1560859286/Governor-Granholm-Proclaims-May-16-22-as-Local-Foods-Week-in-Michigan.

·         Gordon Food Service is working with schools throughout the state to bring Michigan grown and processed products to cafeterias through the MI Products – MY MICHIGAN – MI School Lunch promotion. (See press release and menus from Haslett Public Schools attached.)

·         And the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, with nearly 650 people registered so far, is coming to Detroit! Registrations will be accepted at the door so it’s still not too late to join in on the exciting conference activities! See the conference website - www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org – for more information.

 

I’ll be in touch again in the near future to recap the week’s events. In the meantime, I hope to see many of you in Detroit at the conference!

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution 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

 

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu Booklet Now Available!

May 5, 2010

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu: How to Buy and Use Michigan Produce in Your Institution

 Booklet Now Available

 

A new booklet is now available to help food service professionals at Michigan institutions like schools, hospitals, colleges and universities purchase, handle, and use Michigan-grown foods year round. Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu: How to Buy and Use Michigan Produce in Your Institution is now freely available for download at several websites including Michigan Farm to School (www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu), C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (www.mottgroup.msu.edu) at Michigan State University, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS, www.miffs.org), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA, www.michigan.gov/mda).

 

This publication provides tools including suggestions for connecting with local farmers, purchase and use equivalencies, and food safety and storage tips to help food service professionals find local food sources, purchase appropriate amounts for larger-quantity recipes, and properly handle and store fresh produce. A new Michigan Produce Availability guide is included. The guide indicates not only field fresh availability but also year-round availability of Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs through storing and season extension and greenhouse production. By purchasing and using more locally-grown foods, Michigan institutions can continue to support Michigan’s farmers, food businesses, and the economy while providing fresh, good food to customers.

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu was developed by members of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (Mott Group) and partners at MIFFS, MDA, and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA). Funding was provided by the Mott Group. This publication contributes to its mission to engage communities in applied research and outreach to promote sustainable food systems and improve access and availability of locally produced food.

 

###

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution 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

 

 

FW: Genesee County Farm to School Meet & Greet - May 5th

 

This is just a reminder of this event in Genesee County tomorrow afternoon! Please RSVP to me if you plan to attend.

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution 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

 

 

 

 

Farm to School

Meet & Greet

 

Farm to School is growing in Michigan! At this event, Michigan farmers can meet school food  service directors from Genesee and surrounding counties who are interested in purchasing local foods for school meals programs. Take advantage of this growing market opportunity!

 

Join us for this Meet & Greet to get your questions answered. Participating school food service directors will discuss:

·      Products of interest to schools

·      Competitive bidding procedures

·      Delivery, packaging, and payment arrangements

·      And much more!

 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 5, 2010

4-6:00 pm

WHERE: Genesee Intermediate School District

Health, Safety, and Nutrition Services

2284 S. Ballenger Highway

Flint, MI 48503

 

 

 

This event is free of charge. Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or

517-432-0310.

 

 

 

 

 

Please spread the word, and feel free to share this email and/or attached flyer with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors.