Farm to School News

Greetings,

Here are some of the latest Farm to School news bites:

 

NEWS

First, a big thank you to all who participated in and contributed to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit last month. With over 700 people in attendance, I think all would agree that it was a tremendous success and a great opportunity to show off some of the incredible projects here in Michigan to a national audience! Special thanks to the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) in southeast Michigan for their outstanding work with local conference organizing. For follow up and wrap up info, including video of the keynote speech by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, conference materials and presentations, the Farm to Cafeteria 50x20 photo slideshow, online evaluation, and more, please see the attached email from the Community Food Security Coalition and the National Farm to School Network, the national conference organizers.

Click here to view the latest update on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Put Healthy Helpings of Michigan-Grown Foods in School Meals
Betti Wiggins, Director of Operations in Food Service for Detroit Public Schools, wants to serve more Michigan-grown fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, but a tight food service budget makes this challenging. While it could provide some funding for farm to school programs, the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization may be delayed again.

FoodCorps: Building an Army to Support Sustainable Food and Farmers
The FoodCorps is a proposed subdivision in AmeriCorps that  would link members specifically with Farm-to-School projects to help develop farm to school supply chains, expand food system and nutrition education programs in schools, and build and manage school gardens.

Michelle Obama Hosts Youth Leadership Event and Luncheon in Detroit
After an inspiring commencement speech at Wayne State University, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a mentoring luncheon at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Follow this link to read more and watch a video of her speech.

School District Includes Local Foods
Many schools and districts participated in "Michigan Week" last month. Learn about how Nutrition Services in the Plymouth-Canton District focused menus on Michigan products during their “Local Foods Week.”

 

EVENTS

Food System Economic Partnership Annual Conference
When: June 24, 2010
Where: Jackson Area Career Center
Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/ 
Click here for more information.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

For the fourth year, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) will host a Farmers Market at the Capitol on the East lawn of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing. The markets will be held on Thursday, July 22^nd and Thursday, September 16th.  Vendor applications will be available at www.miffs.org for those interested in selling at these markets. MIFFS and MIFMA members will receive their applications in advance and have the first opportunity to apply. Applications will be available on June 14 for non-members. If you’re interested in joining MIFFS or MIFMA, visit www.miffs.org/join.asp or click the “Join MIFMA” tab at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

 

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