Michigan Farm to School News

Hi all,
Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

 

NEWS

USDA Farm to School Webpage provides Information on Farm to School Grants
As Farm to School grant gunding was included the recent Child Nutrition Reauthorization, the USDA Farm to School Team has updated the "Available USDA Grants" webpage to include "Future USDA Grants". Funding through this new grant program will not be available until fiscal year 2013.

 

Root 4 Kids
Click here to learn more about Root 4 Kids, “a program created by Annie’s in partnership with the National Farm to School Network to call upon parents and schools nationwide to help one million kids enjoy and plant new veggies.” So far, more than 150,000 people have pledged to Root 4 Kids. This program is also working to support USDA’s push to add more fruits and veggies to school lunches. In March and April, Root 4 Kids encourages you to submit stories, quotes, letters, and pictures of support to adding veggies to all school kids’ plates. All submissions will be sent to the USDA, and many will be posted on the Root 4 Kids website or shared through social networking sites.

 

Regional Farm-to-School Grant Announced
The Northeast Regional Farm to School Steering Committee, which represents six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), has been awarded a $250,000 USDA Cooperative Agreement Contract to expand and coordinate farm to institution work. Read more here! 

 

The fourth of the five Michigan Good Food work group reports has been released! Youth Engagement and Opportunity is available for download at www.michiganfood.org 

Four-Season Farming Grows in Michigan with Hoophouses
Catch a glimpse here of a hoophouse farm tour that was organized by the Food Systems Economic Partnership (FSEP) for farmers and food service directors.

Fresh Produce on School Menus May Help Fight Obesity
Click here to read the full story that Farmers’ Advance covered about the development of farm to school programs for three school districts in Manistee County.

For Some Kids, Farm to School a Healthy Lifestyle
Click here to learn more about the efforts of Renee DeWindt, Food Service Director of Benzie County and Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools, who is offering more fresh and local produce to help provide better nutrition to families in need.

 

OPPORTUNITIES 

It’s the season for planning for school gardens, and school garden grants like the following:

·         2011 IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in School Gardens Grant
Deadline: March 21st, 2011

·         2011 It's All About the Fruit Grant Program
Deadline: April 11th 2011

·         2011 ASG (Adopt a School) Midwest School Garden Grant
Deadline: April 1st, 2011

The Greening of Detroit is seeking a Youth Garden and Nutrition Education Coordinator. Please direct any questions to Ashley Atkinson atashley@greeningofdetroit.com. See job description attached. 

EVENTS 

Genesee Intermediate School District Meet & Greet Event

Monday, March 21, 2011

2:30-4:30 pm

GISD Health, Safety and Nutrition Services

2284 S Ballenger Highway

Flint, MI 48503

RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310

 

Meet & Greet Event with K-12 and University Food Service Directors from the Grand Rapids Metro Area
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kent County MSU Extension
775 Ball Ave. NE Grand Rapids MI 49503.
Please RSVP with Kendra Wills via Tel: (616) 336-2028 or email kendra.wills@kentcountymi.gov

 

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Workshop

Offered by MIFFS and partners

Tuesday, March 31, 2011

9 am – 3 pm

University Center

Gaylord, Michigan

See flyer attached for more information or register at www.miffs.org/gapghp.

 

 

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