MI Farm to School News

Greetings,

Here are the latest Farm to School bites:

 

NEWS

 

USDA Expands School Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

USDA is expanding assistance for schools operating USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in the 2011/2012 school year to further the Obama administration's efforts to improve the health of our children in schools.

 

Implementing The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act: Improving Milk and Water Requirements in Schools
USDA released two memos providing guidance and instructions to states on:

 

1.     Making water available during school lunch, and

2.     Offering a variety of milk consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES 

 

Michigan Farm to School Grant Program

With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, two types of farm to school grants, Planning and Implementation ($2,000 maximum each), will be awarded to 15 total Michigan schools/districts to plan for or implement farm to school programs for the 2011 – 2012 school year. Click here for more details, application materials and sample grant applications. To be eligible, the school food service program must have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment at the time this application is completed. Only school food service/nutrition directors may apply. Completed applications are due at 5 pm EST on May 16^th to Jekeia Murphy at stilljek@msu.edu.

 

Schools Receive Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants; Next Round of Applications Now Being Accepted

Fuel Up to Play 60, a national program developed by the National Dairy Council, Southeast Dairy Association, and the National Football League, helps create healthier school environments. Schools can apply for up to $3,000 in grants, and the program is accepting applications for its next round of grants. More information is available here. Your school must be enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 for the 2010/2011 school year to apply for funds for the 2011/2012 school year. The application deadline is June 15, 2011.

 

Michigan Action for Healthy Kids invites you to make a video to show the world how your school is a 54321GO! School. Cash prizes will be awarded to schools which are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners! Click here for more information for contest rules. 

 

 

RESOURCES 

 

It’s not new news, but if you haven’t seen it yet check out the WellSAT: Wellness School Assessment Tool. This tool was created by the Yale Rudd Center to provide “a standard method for the quantitative assessment of school wellness policies.” Click here to learn more! 

 

 

EVENTS 

 

Small Business Capital Access Conference

April 26

MSU Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI

See flyer attached.

 

Michigan Food Processors Summit

April 27 

Eagle Eye Golf Club, Bath, MI 

See attached for more information.

Making School Meal Applications More Accessible: Key Changes
April 28 at 3 pm EST 
Click here for more information and to register for the call offered by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Building Community Support for Breakfast in the Classroom
May 26 at 3 pm EST 
Click here for more information and registration for the call offered by FRAC. 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Announcing MI Farm to School Grant Program

 

Announcing the Michigan Farm to School Grant Program!

 

Food service directors must often work through numerous challenges to start or expand farm to school programs. The goal of the MI Farm to School Grant Program is to help overcome some of these challenges, and initiate and expand farm to school programs across the state.

 

With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MI Farm to School Grant Program will award a total of 15 Michigan K-12 schools/districts with funds ($2,000 maximum each) to plan for or implement farm to school programs. The grant year is September 1, 2011 – June 1, 2012.

 

·         The MI Farm to School Planning Grant will help schools plan for integrating fresh, local foods into cafeterias AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Action Plan to implement a farm to school program after the grant year.

·         The MI Farm to School Implementation Grant will help schools put existing farm to school plans into action AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Sustainability Plan to keep a farm to school program going and growing in future years.

Eligibility:

·         The school food service program must have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment at the time this application is completed. A goal of this program is to help vulnerable children find more healthy and local food choices in school meals programs.

 

·         Only school food service/nutrition directors can apply for their school district(s) or school(s). Food service directors from a school district may choose to focus on a few school buildings or an entire school district’s food service program, but the district must have 50% free and reduced price meal enrollment. Private or charter schools may apply as an individual school.

·         Only one application for either the planning or implementation grant (not both) is allowed per district or private/charter school per grant year. 

 

Please review the application materials and sample grant applications attached for more information. You can also find these materials on our website at http://www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu/index.php?id=48. 

 

To be reviewed, complete applications must be received by 5 pm EST on Monday, May 16^th, 2011. Email completed application as an attachment to Jekeia Murphy at stilljek@msu.edu.

 

 

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

 

 

Re: Farm to Institution Meeting in Macomb County April 14

Donna and others,

Selling meat directly to restaurants and other food establishments is possible if you meet all the requirements of the law. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for enforcement of the Federal Meat Inspection Act. Requirements include proper inspection, packaging, and labeling. Meat must be processed at a USDA inspected facility and bear the mark of inspection.

A copy of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development's "Buying Local - Approved Food Sourced for Food Establishments" is attached. It explains the rules in general terms. Since each marketing situation is unique, the best thing to do if you would like to sell meat directly to food establishments is to contact the USDA directly to determine requirements specific to your operation.

Michigan's USDA FSIS Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review, Complaince and Investigations Division is located in Oak Park. Stephen Parker is the supervisor and Constance Kiefiuk is the senior inspector. They can be reached at 248-968-0230, or by email: Stephen.Parker@fsis.usda.gov or Constance.Kiefiuk@usda.gov. Connie or Steve can also answer questions about seafood or poultry sales.

I hope this helps you get the answers you need!

Jeanne M. Hausler
Food & Dairy Communications
Michigan Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Development
525 W. Allegan, Lansing, MI 48933
517-373-9790
517-373-3333 (fax)
www.michigan.gov/mda
-----Original Message-----
From: Donna Buechler [mailto:elmcrest@DREAMSCP.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:52 PM
To: MIFARMTOSCHOOL@LIST.MSU.EDU
Subject: Re: Farm to Institution Meeting in Macomb County April 14

I guess I should have included more information. I do have my animals
processed at a USDA facility. The person from MDA said I needed that to
sell off the farm or at farmers markets. However I still couldn't sell to
a restaurant, school, or store unless I put up my own USDA packing
facility. When I asked him how the farm to school worked that I've been
hearing about he said the farmers have to sell to the USDA slaughter house
who in turn sell to the school. But this didn't seem like what I had been
hearing elsewhere. I also questioned him on the food coop in Marquette
that sells local farms meats. His response was the farmers who have their
meat in that store are members of the coop, therefore as owners they are
still selling directly to the consumer. I feel like if my meat is
processed at an approved (USDA) facility I should be able to sell to the
restaurant. Why do I have to add the middleman by making the
slaughterhouse by my meat and then resell it to the local restuarant???

Donna>

Donna,
>
> Unfortunately, it is true. The MDA License to sell large animals (beef,
> hogs, sheep, goat, etc.) is known as a "Custom Exempt" sale and can not
> be resold or served to anyone but the "purchaser." It exempts the
> preparation of livestock and poultry products from mandatory inspection
> when they are for the owner's own use, for use by members of the owner's
> household and nonpaying guests, or for persons employed by the owner.
>
> The FDA has jurisdiction over any sale for public consumption or
> resale. You would need to take your animals to a certified USDA
> processor to sell it to the schools, restaurants. or even for a wild
> game dinner which sold tickets. In this manner you could then sell it
> to the schools, etc. and it would be "stamped" with the facility's
> certificate number and the kill and process would be observed by an
> employee of the FDA.
>
> I hope that helps clarify the situation for you. Let me know if you
> have any other questions.
>
> Here are some links you might find helpful:
>
> USDA Custom Exempt
> <http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/5930.1Rev4_Presentation.pdf>
> Title 9 CFR Part 303
> <http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2001/janqtr/9cfr303.1.htm>
>
> Evan Smith
> Senior Operations Manager
> Cherry Capital Foods
> 807 Airport Access, Suite 111
> Traverse City, MI 49686
> Ph. 231.943.5010
> Cell 231.499.1511
> http://cherrycapitalfoods.com/
>
> "Building a resilient and socially just food system."
>
>
>
> On 3/30/2011 1:50 PM, Donna Buechler wrote:
>> I have a question maybe some one knows the answer too. We raise a small
>> amount of pork and lamb. A local restaurant approached me about buying
>> lamb. When I contacted the MDA to get a license to sell my meat I was
>> told I can only sell direct to the consumer. I can't sell to a
>> restaurant, school, or store where it will be resold. How does the farm
>> to school program work then? Thanks in advance. Donna>
>>
>> Please Share:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Farm to Institution
>>> Marketing Opportunities
>>>
>>> Looking for new business in the local food economy?
>>>
>>> Instiutions can provide new, stable steady markets for Michigan
>>> farmers.
>>>
>>> Meet& Greet: Get to know school, hospital, distribution, and other
>>> buyers in one-on-one conversations!
>>> Q& A: Listen to a roundtable discussion with food producers and food
>>> buyers!
>>> Where: Clinton-Macomb North Branch Library
>>> 16800 24 Mile Road
>>> Macomb Township, MI 48042
>>> When: Thursday, April 14, 2011
>>> 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
>>>
>>> [Description: farm to school 1]Please RSVP to Kathe Hale at
>>> halek@anr.msu.edu<mailto:halek@anr.msu.edu> or 586-469-6088 by Monday,
>>> April 4, 2011.
>>>
>>>
>>> Katherine E. Hale
>>>
>>> Extension Educator
>>> Michigan State University Extension
>>> Macomb County
>>> Verkuilen Building
>>> 21885 Dunham Road, Suite 12
>>> Clinton Township, MI 48036-1030
>>>
>>> Phone: 586-469-6088 ** Fax: 586-469-6948
>>> Cell: 810-358-8247 ** Email: halek@anr.msu.edu
>>>
>>> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/msuesoutheastmi>
>>> Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/mifamilyliving>
>>> MIfamilyliving blog<http://mifamilyliving.wordpress.com/>
>>>
>>>
>