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Friday, December 16, 2011

FW: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Introduces New Risk Management Tool to Help Producers Achieve GAP Certification

FYI!

 

Enjoy the weekend,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: USDA Office of Communications <usda@public.govdelivery.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 15, 2011 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Introduces New Risk Management Tool to Help Producers Achieve GAP Certification
To: hdombalis@sustainableagriculture.net

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

 

Release No. 0517.11

Contact:

USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-3088

 

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Introduces New Risk Management Tool to Help Producers Achieve GAP Certification

 

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2011—Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, along with leaders from food and agriculture organizations, introduced today a free online tool to help U.S. producers of all sizes achieve Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) harmonized standards and certification, helping to further expand economic opportunities for American agriculture. USDA's GAP audit verification program focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that farms are producing, and packers are handling and storing, fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible to minimize food safety hazards. The free online tool—developed by FamilyFarmed.org with funding from USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA)—helps farmers design a customized manual to meet GAP harmonized standards and certification requirements, including USDA GAP standards, and mitigate business risks by answering just a few questions.

"USDA believes that a strong farm safety net—including effective, market-based risk solutions for producers of all variety and size—is crucial to sustain the vitality of American agriculture," said Merrigan. "Effectively managing risk is important to all producers, and having an acceptable food safety program is in the best interest of consumers, buyers, and the farmers themselves. USDA is proud to have worked with private, public and non-profit partners to introduce this free tool to farmers seeking to gain certification as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) producer."

The online tool, part of FamilyFarmed.org's On-Farm Food Safety Project, is the first of its kind and was developed by a broad coalition of farm and produce industry partners. It is available at http://www.onfarmfoodsafety.org/.

USDA's GAP audit verification program, administered by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that farms are producing fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. USDA's voluntary audit based program verifies adherence to the recommendations made in the Food and Drug Administration's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.

To generate a food safety plan using the tool, the user must answer a series of questions on topics including worker health and hygiene, agricultural water, previous land use, soil amendments and manure, animals and pest control, packinghouse activities, product transportation, agricultural chemicals, and field harvesting. In addition to helping farmers create a food safety plan, the tool offers farmers a full-set of record keeping templates to document their food safety efforts as well as useful food safety resources.

Once users have completed their farm's food safety plan and compiled necessary documentation, they have the capacity to apply for GAP food safety certification, a process asked for by many larger buyers. Large buyers including Compass Group, SYSCO, and Chipotle Mexican Grill supported the project financially and with technical assistance. Groups that participated in the development and review of the tool include: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Compass Group, Earthbound Farm, Farm Aid, FDA, NSF Agriculture, Produce Marketing Association, SYSCO, The Organic Center, Western Growers, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Wild Farm Alliance, University of California at Davis, United Fresh Produce Association, and USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, implement the Farm Bill, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best years in decades thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 86 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. The Obama Administration has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2011 and beyond. Strong agricultural exports are a positive contribution to the U.S. trade balance, support more than 1 million American jobs and boost economic growth.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice), or 202-720-6382 (TDD).


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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).




--
Helen Dombalis, Policy Associate
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
110 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite 209
Washington, DC 20002
phone: (202) 547-5754
fax: (202) 547-1837
email:  hdombalis@sustainableagriculture.net
website:  http://sustainableagriculture.net
blog: http://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

FW: Extended to 12/15/11 - Academic Specialist/ Outreach Position - C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University

Apologies for cross-posting. Please see information below about this Academic Specialist position opening with the Mott Group at MSU. Note that the deadline has been extended to 12/15/11. Please pass this along to others who may be interested and qualified.

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

From: Pirog, Rich
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:06 PM
Subject: Extended to 12/15/11 - Academic Specialist/ Outreach Position - C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University

 

 

PLEAE NOTE: that the closing date for this position has been extended to Thursday, December 15, 2011.

 

A  position description summary is  listed below.  Individuals interested in learning more about this position and/or applying should go to:

 

 

to review additional position information.  

 

If the link above does not get you directly to the job posting, go to:

 

 

and search for  faculty/academic staff position # 5469.

 

 Application deadline is December 15, 2011

 

Individuals with questions about the position can contact me at the e-mail below. -----Rich Pirog – Senior Associate Director, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

 

Position Summary

Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large research grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (C.S. Mott Group); 
Serve as the point of contact for inquiries about the C.S. Mott Group's research and/or outreach programs; 
Coordinate development and expansion of the C.S. Mott Group's web site, posting research and outreach project results as well as marketing of the C.S. Mott Group's programs; 
Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large outreach grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group; 
Check in regularly with staff and faculty affiliates to stay abreast of project opportunities and provide support on existing grants where needed; 
Provide presentations on the C.S. Mott Group's research and outreach programs to MSU and non-MSU audiences as needed; 
Serve as coordinator for C.S. Mott Group's advisory board meetings.  

 

Required: A Master's in Business Admin, Communications science, or related food, agriculture, and health disciplines. 

 

Rich Pirog

Senior Associate Director

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

CARRS

313 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

 

Phone:  517-353-0694

E-mail: rspirog@msu.edu



Thursday, December 1, 2011

FW: Position Posting - Academic Specialist/ Outreach - C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU

 

Greetings,

Please note that the deadline for applications for this position with the Mott Group at MSU is December 8th (next week). Please do share this position posting with others who may be interested and qualified.

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 



Hello:

 

A  position description summary is  listed below.  Individuals interested in learning more about this position and/or applying should go to:

 

 

to review additional position information.  

 

If the link above does not get you directly to the job posting, go to:

 

 

and search for  faculty/academic staff position # 5469.

 

 Application deadline is December 8, 2011

 

Individuals with questions about the position can contact me at the e-mail below.  Rich Pirog – Senior Associate Director, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

 

Position Summary

Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large research grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (C.S. Mott Group); 
Serve as the point of contact for inquiries about the C.S. Mott Group's research and/or outreach programs; 
Coordinate development and expansion of the C.S. Mott Group's web site, posting research and outreach project results as well as marketing of the C.S. Mott Group's programs; 
Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large outreach grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group; 
Check in regularly with staff and faculty affiliates to stay abreast of project opportunities and provide support on existing grants where needed; 
Provide presentations on the C.S. Mott Group's research and outreach programs to MSU and non-MSU audiences as needed; 
Serve as coordinator for C.S. Mott Group's advisory board meetings.  

 

Required: A Master's in Business Admin, Communications science, or related food, agriculture, and health disciplines. 

 

Rich Pirog

Senior Associate Director

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

CARRS

313 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

 

Phone:  517-353-0694

E-mail: rspirog@msu.edu

Monday, November 28, 2011

FW: Solicitation 2000000700: Fresh Fruit Pilot Program – Request for Proposal

Greetings,

Please see information below and attached from the USDA regarding requests for proposals to supply produce for the Fresh Produce Pilot program, which is set to begin in Michigan and Florida in January 2012. Produce items for the pilot program include apples, lettuce, blueberries, carrots, grapes and oranges. 

 

All applicable documents for this pilot program can be found on our website http://www.ams.usda.gov/commoditypurchasing. Select Fresh Product Pilot in the dropdown list.

 

Interested farmers and vendors, please note that details about this program will be shared by represenatives from the USDA in a Farm to Institution session from 2-4 pm on Wednesday, December 7th at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids. Find more info about Expo at www.glexpo.com.

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 


From: Hernandez, Sara - AMS [Sara.Hernandez@ams.usda.gov]
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 11:57 AM
To: Hernandez, Sara - AMS
Subject: FW: Solicitation 2000000700: Fresh Fruit Pilot Program – Request for Proposal

Attention Staff and Vendors:

 

Please see attachment.  Solicitation 2000000700:  Fresh Fruit Pilot Program – Request for Proposal

 

All RFP questions should be submitted in writing to James Sprandel at James.Sprandel@ams.usda.gov and Felicitas Lofton at Felicitas.Lofton@ams.usda.gov.

 

 

Feel free to direct your procedural questions to the AMS Helpdesk.  

·       Email: wbscmamshelpdesk@ams.usda.gov

 

Feel free to direct your technical questions to the WBSCM Helpdesk.  

·        Phone: 877-WBSCM-4U

Email: WBSCMhelp@ams.usda.gov

 

 

Chyra C. Lewis

Contract Specialist

USDA, AMS, Commodity Procurement Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20250

Office: (202) 720-6392

 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Michigan Farm to School News

Hi all,

Please see below for the latest Farm to School news bites!

 

Enjoy the weekend,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

NEWS 

 

Senate Saves the Potato on School Lunch Menus

Proposed nutrition standards would limit the amount of potatoes and other starchy vegetables that can be served in school lunches and eliminating them from school breakfasts, but the Senate defended the potato by approving an amendment that would prohibit the USDA from setting “any maximum limits on the serving of vegetables in school meal programs.” Read last month’s story from the New York Times here

 

School Lunch Proposals Set Off A Dispute

Attempts to make the federally financed school lunch program more nutritious by cutting back on potatoes and adding more fresh fruits and vegetables are being disputed by some food companies. Read the full New York Times story here

 

Direct and Intermediated Marketing of Local Foods in the United States, a report released earlier this month from the USDA Economic Research Service found that marketing local foods grossed $4.8 billion in 2008. Check out the report here.

 

Michigan Farmers Deliver Fresh Vegetables and Fruit for Students’ Lunches

With the help of Michigan State University’s Farm to School Extension Program, local farmers and school service directors are connecting to serve more local, farm fresh produce in school meals. See the press release attached about how Plum Market Food Service is working to get more farm fresh produce into Detroit Country Day Schools. 

 

FoodCorps and Farm to School Month in Local Schools

·         Macomb County celebrated the first ever National Farm to School Month in October.  See attachment for press release. 

·         One Michigan FoodCorps member, Daniel Marbury, is working with students at  Platte River Elementary School in Honor, MI to help them learn about local and nutritious foods. Watch a video hereLearn more about Platte River Elementary’s new hoophouse and Farm to School Month in Michigan in “A Growing Idea” from Morning Star Publishing Company.

·         More recently, another Michigan FoodCorps member, Robyn Wardell, taught students at Freeman Elementary in Flint Community Schools about their new hoophouse. See the news video here.

 

Chicago Public Schools Lunch Buzz:

·         Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality Expands Farm-to-School Program to $2.5 Million in Local Produce:   Chicago Public Schools, through Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality  has spent more than $2.5 million in fresh fruits and vegetables purchased from regional producers and growers. To celebrate National Farm to School Month, students visited Riveridge Produce in Sparta, MI. Read more here from Market Watch.

  • School Food FOCUS Learning Lab district Chicago Public Schools (CPS) rolled out an exciting new menu item: Rachael Ray's Windy City Chicken with whole-muscle, bone-in chicken leg quarters from USDA Foods!  To watch a report from the local Chicago NBC affiliate, click here

·         Chicago Schools Make Big Antibiotic-free Poultry Purchase from a nearby Amish farm. Read the full story on Food Safety News.

 

RESOURCES 

 

Check out the On-Farm Food Safety For Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Growers Tool developed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture that is designed to assist fresh fruit and vegetable growers with tools and resources to meet on-farm food safety demands. Click here to access this tool. 

 

Access the Healthy Food, Healthy Farms webinar:  “School Food Revolution?" webinar recording and presentation slides from Oct 6 on the Healthy Food Action website.

 

View the archived "School Nutrition Foundation/USDA GAP in Farm to School and School Gardens Webinar" here

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES 

 

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Announces the Fourth Annual Growing Green Awards to Honor Extraordinary Contributions in Sustainable Food. A Growing Green Award will be given to an outstanding individual in each of four categories including Food Producer, Business Leader, Food Justice Leader, and Young Food Leader. Cash prizes range from $2,500 - $10,000. See attachment for more details. 

 

USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities (CF) Grant
This is an opportunity for public entities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population to develop essential community facilities including those for food systems infrastructure.  Click here to learn more.

 

 


EVENTS 

 

Get Farming! Fall Workshops offered by the Michigan Land Use Institute

See article here with online registration available here.

Contact Jim Sluyter at the Michigan Land Use Institute at 231-941-6584, ext. 15 or jimsluyter@mlui.org for more information.

·         Michigan’s Safe Food Risk Assessment Program  offered by the Michigan Land Use Institute and the Grand Traverse Conservation District
Wednesday, November 16, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City

·         Good Agricultural Practices - the GAP Audit offered by Michigan Food & Farming Systems and the Michigan Land Use Institute

Thursday, November 17, 9:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Center, 6686 S. Center Hwy (County Rd 633) 
Attendance is limited to the first 50 registrants.

 

Farm to Institution Meet & Greet Event for West/Southwest Michigan

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

1:30-3:00 pm

Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus, Rm 141

125 Veterans Dr

South Haven, MI 49090

See flyer attached for more information.

This event is free. Please RSVP to Kendra Wills with MSU Extension at 616.336.2028 or willsk@anr.msu.edu by November 21, 2011.

 

Great Lakes Fresh Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

December 6-8 at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, MI

Find more information and register at www.glexpo.com.

Check out the Farm to Institution session on Wednesday, December 7th from 2-4 pm!

 

Michigan Family Farms Conference

Saturday, January 14th , 2012

Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, MI

Click here for more information.

 

Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Grayling High School in Grayling, MI

Click here for more information.

 

2nd Annual Beginning Farmer and Rancher Conference

February 18-20, 2012

Grand Rapids, MI

Click here to learn more.


FW: Position Posting - Academic Specialist/ Outreach - C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU

Hi all,

Please see below more information for this position posting with the Mott Group at MSU. Please do share this position posting with others who may be interested and qualified.

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

From: Pirog, Rich
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 12:47 PM
To: carrs-all
Subject: Position Posting - Academic Specialist/ Outreach - C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU

 

 

 

Hello:

 

A  position description summary is  listed below.  Individuals interested in learning more about this position and/or applying should go to:

 

 

to review additional position information.  

 

If the link above does not get you directly to the job posting, go to:

 

 

and search for  faculty/academic staff position # 5469.

 

 Application deadline is December 8, 2011

 

Individuals with questions about the position can contact me at the e-mail below.  Rich Pirog – Senior Associate Director, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

 

Position Summary

Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large research grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (C.S. Mott Group); 
Serve as the point of contact for inquiries about the C.S. Mott Group's research and/or outreach programs; 
Coordinate development and expansion of the C.S. Mott Group's web site, posting research and outreach project results as well as marketing of the C.S. Mott Group's programs; 
Play a lead role in coordinating and submitting large outreach grant proposals on behalf of the C.S. Mott Group; 
Check in regularly with staff and faculty affiliates to stay abreast of project opportunities and provide support on existing grants where needed; 
Provide presentations on the C.S. Mott Group's research and outreach programs to MSU and non-MSU audiences as needed; 
Serve as coordinator for C.S. Mott Group's advisory board meetings.  

 

Required: A Master's in Business Admin, Communications science, or related food, agriculture, and health disciplines. 

 

Rich Pirog

Senior Associate Director

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

CARRS

313 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

 

Phone:  517-353-0694

E-mail: rspirog@msu.edu

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