Farm to School and MI MarketMaker work to improve children's school menus

Greetings,

As National Farm to School month comes to a close, I wanted to share new information about MI MarketMaker (www.mimarketmaker.msu.edu), which can help schools and other institutional markets connect with Michigan farmers and food suppliers. See below and attached for more information about how schools, hospitals and colleges can use this online venue to link to local food!

 

Best,

 

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

__________________________________________

 

 

Contact: Tom Kalchik

kalchikt@msu.edu/ 517-432-8752         
               

Farm to School and MI MarketMaker work to improve children’s school menus

East Lansing, MI (October 31, 2011) - Every child deserves access to nutritious food. With more than 30 million children eating school cafeteria meals daily, it is imperative that we promote healthy, balanced eating habits to help prevent obesity and other health-related disorders in our youth.

Help celebrate the first National Farm to School Month this October by using MI MarketMaker to find local producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. “The Michigan State University Product Center brought MarketMaker into Michigan because it is a powerful tool to help buyers and producers connect with each other,” says Tom Kalchik, Associate Director of the MSU Product Center. Use the Search function of MI MarketMaker to find growers of specific crops in a local area, or more general fruit, vegetable, meat, grain or other types of products.

“Farm to school programs are growing strong in Michigan,” said Colleen Matts, Farm to Institution Specialist with the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU. “Schools seek a wider variety of local produce for more of the school year as they begin and expand farm to school programs. MI MarketMaker is an opportunity to connect the dots between farmers and school nutrition and food service directors to get local food to our school children.” Along with Florida, Michigan is slated to participate in a USDA Fresh Produce Pilot program starting in 2012 which aims to bring more fresh produce to schools.

Kalchik encourages all school food buyers and farmers interested in selling to local schools to register on MI MarketMaker. The process is easy. Just go to www.mimarketmaker.msu.edu and click on the Register button in the Register Your Business panel. School food buyers need to register by selecting “Buyer” from the dropdown menu, then “Institutional – Education” in the Buyer Type tab. Then complete the rest of the profile, including the information in the Geographic Area tab and Vendor Protocols tab. Remember, the more detail, the more searchable you are and the easier you are to find.

Producers interested in taking advantage of the buy local trend for the school lunch program should also register on MI MarketMaker. If you are already registered user, simply log into your MarketMaker profile and find the “Methods of Sale” area under the type of products you offer. By checking the “Farm to School” box, buyers are able to search for your business as they seek out healthy food purchases for local educational institutions. If you are not registered, go to www.mimarketmaker.msu.edu and click on the Register button in the Register Your Business panel. Select “Farmer” from the dropdown list.  Complete your business profile for the crops you produce and the way you produce them (look for the tabs at the top of the profile page for Dairy, Fruits and Nuts, Meat, Vegetables, etc. so you have a complete profile of your farm). In the “Methods of Sales” section, click on the “Farm to School” box.  Complete the rest of profile information, remembering that the more detail you provide, the easier it will be for a buyer to find you.

National Farm to School month in October and the USDA pilot program in Michigan for farm to school purchases provide great opportunities to improve the diets of school children and increase economic development in Michigan. MI MarketMaker can help school lunch buyers and growers make these programs successful and bring more fresh, local produce to Michigan children.

For more information about MI MarketMaker, visit www.mimarketmaker.msu.edu or contact Tom Kalchik at kalchikt@msu.edu or 517-432-8752. For more information about Michigan Farm to School, visit www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu.

###

 

 

FW: Action needed TODAY to support School Food in the Farm Bill!

---
Sheilah Davidson
Policy Program Manager and Stakeholder Liaison
sdavidson@schoolfoodfocus.org
845 339-2824

School Food FOCUS
Public Health Solutions
40 Worth Street, Floor 5
New York, NY 10013
http://www.schoolfoodfocus.org/

School Food FOCUS is a national collaborative that leverages the knowledge and procurement power of large school districts to make school meals nationwide more healthful, regionally sourced, and sustainably produced.

Hi all,

Please see a note below from our colleagues at School Food FOCUS regarding a call for action to support school food in the Farm Bill.

 

Enjoy the weekend,

Colleen

---

From: Sheilah Davidson, School Food FOCUS [sdavidson@schoolfoodfocus.org]
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2011 11:55 AM
Subject: Action needed TODAY to support School Food in the Farm Bill!

 

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED!! 

PLEASE CALL MICHIGAN SENATOR STABENOW TODAY TO SUPPORT SCHOOL FOOD IN THE FARM BILL BEING SHAPED RIGHT NOW!

 

The Food and Farm Bill is a vital opportunity to develop policies that deliver affordable, regionally produced food to schools. In order to get their priorities in ahead of the Supercommittee deadline for budget cuts, the House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership is planning to rewrite the Food and Farm Bill by Thursday, November 3. This would be the fastest farm bill decision-making process in history!

 

Your action is critical because you are in or near a key congressional district, and because FOCUS has relatively few districts nationwide that are as well placed.  Please call Senator Stabeno  at (202) 224-4822  with the message below.

 

Please start with the basic message in italics below and add one or more of the bulleted talking points, focusing on what you think your member will be most open to.  For example, Senator Stabenow is interested in access to fruits and vegetables.

The Message:  I am a constituent and stakeholder of School Food FOCUS, calling Senator Stabenow to say: School food can be central to the solution of childhood obesity and the Farm Bill can help school districts bring in more healthful food. Strengthening small and mid-scale farms and supporting regional processing facilities are vital to more healthful, sustainable school food procurement. The nation's core anti-hunger and sustainable farming programs are equally important, and should not be pitted against one another. There are no cost provisions within existing programs that can meet these goals.  For example (pick one)

·      I support increased access to healthful foods for school districts, especially in underserved markets.  For example (pick one)

o   Congress should protect existing programs that provide incentives for regional producers to sell minimally processed foods to school districts.

o   School districts in underserved areas should be eligible to apply for funding that targets access to food.

·      I support policies that increase access to regionally grown foods for schools.  For example (pick one)

o   I urge you to reauthorize Food and Farm Bill programs that support regional school food supply chains.

o   Please ensure that any new regional development programs' funds can also be used to support improvements along school food supply chains.

o   Congress should encourage USDA agencies to purchase regional foods for school food service.

o   Congress should encourage USDA to recognize schools that serve regional foods in their school meal programs.

 

Note:  If the staffer seems interested, you can offer to share the full document outlining School Food FOCUS policy recommendations. 

 

Thank you for taking action!

FW: NOV. 5th - 2011 Community & School Gardener Networking Meeting: Register now!

FYI!

 

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: Scott, Anne C. [mailto:annemisener@ANR.MSU.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 2:47 PM
To: YOUTHGROW@LIST.MSU.EDU
Subject: NOV. 5th - 2011 Community & School Gardener Networking Meeting: Register now!

 

Hello Michigan school and community gardeners!

 

 2011 Community School Gardener Networking Meeting NOV.5th is just a week and 1/2 away!  

 

Location: Wayne County Community College Eastern Campus in Detroit! (5901 Conner Street, Detroit, MI)

 

Don't delay! Register now:You can register by clicking here or get in touch with Anne Scott (scottann@msu.edu or 517 353 0751) or Michelle Jackson (smallvillefarms@gmail.com or 313 721 8220).

 

Here is a sneak peak at some of the sessions planned: Land Use, Planning and Land Banking, Serving School Garden Grown Food in the Cafeteria, Horticulture Vocational Training for Young Adults with Disabilities, the Farm Bill and Why it Matters, Classroom-based Hands-on Gardening, the WISE Woman Gardeners 

 OPEN SPACE:  Open Space offers an opportunity for participants to spark discussions and network around shared interests. You initiate a topic or join one of most interest to you.  

YOUTH TRACK!: Youth ages 10-17, 9:30-4:00,   The day is looking to be FULL of creativity, expression, and …of course, FUN.  As part of the youth track we will learn to  shoot video,  create questions and conduct an interview.  We will apply skills to collect footage for a "message video" about school and community gardening. We will also learn about marketing produce, youth/adult stereotypes and positive youth/adult partnerships, team work and communication.  

 

For more details or to  updates by visiting www.miyouthandfood.msu.edu,  find us on Facebook, or contact Anne 517 353 0751 scottann@msu.edu or Michelle 313 721 8220 smallvillefarms@gmail.com.

 

Hope to see you there!

 

~CSGNM Planning Team

Farm Bill Action Alert

FARM BILL 2012 IS BEING WRITTEN NOW!

We Have Only 1 Week To Increase Access to Healthy Food In America.

October 24, 2011

Today is Food Day and it's the perfect time for you to ensure access to healthy food for you, your family and your community. Congress is writing the 2012 Farm Bill proposal by November 1st.

YOUR CALL TO CONGRESS TODAY WILL ENSURE JOB CREATION, HEALTH AND RESILIENCY TOMORROW!

It's critical that we each take action to influence the primary legislative tool that ensures the viability of organic farming in America.

CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TODAY!

Senator Debbie Stabenow can be reached at (202) 224-4822,

Senator Carl Levin can be reached at (202) 224-6221,

and go to http://www.house.gov/ to find the number for your Representative

Talk to a person, or leave a message, BUT PLEASE MAKE CONTACT!

The Points to Make Are Simple:

* I am your constituent. I want you to support the fastest growing form of agriculture in America- Organic Farming. You must increase funding for critical organic programs in the Farm Bill proposal to the Super Committee.
  
* Organic programs ensure job creation and economic growth.
  
* You must increase funding for:
          o Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
          o Organic Data Initiative.
          o National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.
          o National Organic Program.
          o Conservation Programs.

Please Call your Congressional Delegation TODAY!

Join the Organic Farming Action Network Today! http://ofrf.org/action/action.html

P.S. - Don't forget to share this with your friends and family!

This email was sent by: Organic Farming Research Foundation
P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA

--
Melissa Hornaday, Great Lakes Organizer
Organic Farming Research Foundation
4751 Trumbull St Detroit, MI 48208
313-525-2372
melissa@ofrf.org
www.ofrf.org

Join the Organic Farming Action Network Today! http://ofrf.org/action/action.html

FW: This Week : Farm to School in the Great Lakes

Hi all,

Please see news and opportunities below from Vanessa Herald, our Farm to School Coordinator for the Great Lakes Region. Happy Farm to School Month!

 

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

 

From: Vanessa Herald [mailto:vherald@wisc.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 4:03 PM
To: JoAnne Berkenkamp; Sara Tedeschi; Matts, Colleen; Julia Govis; Laura Hormuth; Julie Fox
Subject: This Week : Farm to School in the Great Lakes

 

Hi All,

Happy Week 3 of National Farm to School Month! Hope the month of celebration is treating you well. Please keep us all posted on your Farm to School Month events. All the week’s news is below, please send out to your farm to school networks.

Best!

vanessa

A.    Farm to School Month Poster Contest!
The National Farm to School Network and Annie's Root 4 Kids will be giving away $1,000 to three winning Farm to School programs in celebration of the first National Farm to School Month! Download the full contest rules and submission guidelines for more information.The deadline is October 31. Feel free to use the language in the For Your Information section. 

B.     Check out the new designs added to the Farm to School Month Shop last week at: http://www.printfection.com/Farmtoschoolmonth
Printfection is running a few good sales through through this Thursday:

Coupon Code: SuperDuperShip  (free shipping)
Coupon Code: SuperSave$10  ($10 off $50 or more)
Coupon Code: Scary35%  (35% off $100 or more)

Share your Farm to School Month Events!
Please continue to share your Farm to School Month activities with the Network folks. Send event details (before or after they occur!) to info@nationalfarmtoschoolmonth.org

 

Bonus Lunch Bites Webinar This week

Farm to School: Cooking with Children in the Classroom - Thu, Oct 20th, 2011 11am CST
Want to learn tips for bringing dynamic cooking experiences to children? Ever wonder which recipes work best in the classroom setting? Whether you are a community organizer, parent or teacher, this webinar will offer key considerations and solutions to cooking in the classroom. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/244218009

 

NPR is looking for School Lunch Stories
NPR is on the hunt for “a story of a stand-out school lunch leader we should know about? Or a unique local supply chain in your district?” Please, please share your tale with the NPR folks at thesalt@npr.org. The original blog post and news stories can be found at this link:

 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/10/12/141264343/supply-labor-money-keys-to-getting-more-local-food-into-schools?sc=fb&cc=fp

 

Healthy Schools Campaign Hiring Manager of Prof. Dev for Education and Wellness
Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) is seeking a full-time Manager of Professional Development for Education and Wellness to support teachers, principals and other school employees (e.g., school nurses, resource coordinators, administrators) as they become health and wellness leaders in Chicago schools. 

The position is part of the Chicago Partnership for Healthy Schools, a multi-faceted program dedicated to establishing healthy school environments that promote student wellness and achievement, and address the health crisis of childhood obesity. The Chicago Partnership’s current focus is Go for the Gold, a three-year partnership with Chicago Public Schools and others to challenge and support schools as they make improvements to their school food, nutrition education, physical activity and physical education programs. Schools are making these improvements as part of their participation in the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge, a key component of the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative.

The coordinator’s role will be to implement existing programs and develop new programs to support teachers, principals and other school staff to be health and wellness leaders in their schools.  More information and the application can be found here.

 

USDA NIFA Accepting Applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program

The Request for Application for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is now available, and applications are due by November 22, 2011.  Projects will be awarded in 2012 and performed between October 2012 and September 2013.  Approximately $19 million is expected to be available. More information is available here: http://blogs.usda.gov/2011/10/14/nifa-now-accepting-applications-for-the-beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program/

 

Updates from USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

"How Procurement Works: Planning, Executing, and Administering a Competitive Procurement" is available as a free online procurement training. The training is open to the public and Topic 2 provides detailed information about each stage of the procurement process for the Child Nutrition Programs. For more information, including registration, visit the USDA Farm to School Team's policy webpage athttp://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/f2spolicy.htm. Click on "USDA Online Procurement Training."

 

USDA Support for Rural Development Communities Facilities Program

FNS recently published a memorandum encouraging school food service facilities, Head Start centers, pre-schools, adult day care centers, child day care centers, and food preparation centers to consider the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Program grants and loans as a funding option to upgrade their community’s child nutrition facilities and purchase equipment to improve access to healthy, locally, or regionally grown products. Grant information can be found here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/HCF_CF.html

 

National Farmers Union Curriculum Focuses on Nutrition and Food System

National Farmers Union’s (NFU) “Growing Good Taste” curriculum provides teachers with lesson plans that address healthy nutrition, responsible eating habits, and connecting food to America’s family farms and ranches. The lessons also emphasize knowing the food supply system from field to fork. Many of the activities have students preparing food items to gain a better understanding of healthy ingredients. NFU’s curriculum is available free of charge and may be found at http://www.nfu.org/education/education-materials. There are four different one-hour lessons for grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Additional lessons for collegiate and adult students are also online. These lessons originally were written for volunteer leaders to teach youth attending Farmers Union summer camps and day classes.

October is National Farm to School Month!
Visit www.farmtoschoolmonth.org for Details.

Vanessa Herald
Great Lakes Region Farm to School Network Coordinator
Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
University of Wisconsin - Madison
608.263.6064
vherald@wisc.edu

www.cias.wisc.edu
www.farmtoschool.org

FW: MI Farm to School Training Opportunities for School Food Service Directors - Oct 17th, 19th, and 21st

Greetings Michigan school food service directors,

We still have some space available in each of the three Farm to School trainings listed below. Please RSVP to me by 5 pm on Thursday, October 13^th if you’re interested in attending! See details below.

 

Thanks,

Colleen

 

 

 

Are you interested in starting or expanding a farm to school program? If so, please join us for one of the Michigan Farm to School: Scaling Up and Branching Out regional trainings the week of October 17^th!

 

This series of afternoon training sessions is being offered by the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU through the new MI Farm to School Grant Program (http://www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu/index.php?id=348). Funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MI Farm to School Grant Program provides farm to school planning and implementation mini-grants to school food service directors at schools/districts with 50% free and reduced rates or greater. Eight MI Farm to School grants were awarded this first, pilot year, and all grantees will attend the training nearest them. We’re happy to extend the invitation to Michigan school food service directors interested in starting or expanding their farm to school programs!

 

MI Farm to School training dates and locations are as follows:

 

·        Monday, October 17^th, 12-4:15 pm

Grayling Charter Township

2090 Viking Way

Grayling, MI 49738

 

·        Wednesday, October 19^th, 12-4:30 pm

Kent County Michigan State University Extension Office

775 Ball Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

 

·        Friday, October 21^st, 12 – 4:30 pm

Livingston County Michigan State University Extension Office

2300 E Grand River Ave., Suite 111

Howell, MI 48843

 

The first hour of the training will focus on starting farm to school programs and the step-by-step guide to connecting with local farmers and purchasing local products. The remainder will focus on expanding farm to school programs, offering a greater range of products through more avenues. Tools and information from Produce Safety University, a national training offered by the National Food Service Management Institute and the USDA, will also be shared. The agenda is the same for each training, but we hope to draw on the farm to school experiences of attendees.

 

Please RSVP to me at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 to reserve your spot for any one of the training opportunities. RSVPs will be taken on a first come first serve basis as we have space constraints in a couple of locations. More details will follow!

 

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

 

 

Farm to School News - National Farm to School Month edition!

Greetings and Happy National Farm to School Month! Here’s the latest farm to school update: 

 

NEWS

 

October is National Farm to School Month!

Join as a Farm to School Month Partner by e-mailing info@farmtoschoolmonth.org. Click here for Farm to School month resources and materials!

 

Updated State by State Farm to School Legislation document now available 

This updated document (attached) provides summaries and links to legislation regarding farm to school, now passed in 35 states! 

 

NFSN receives CDC Community Transformation Grant

The National Farm to School Network at Occidental College has received a CDC Community Transformation Dissemination Grant to support access to and interest in healthy food and farm to school initiatives in low-income communities and communities of color nationwide. 

 

Fresh Produce for Schools

As announced in July, the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service and Food and Nutrition Service is preparing for a pilot program to bring more fresh produce into schools in Michigan and Florida with entitlement dollars. Information about the program, including an info sheet and a chart of the process, is now available online.

 

USDA Farm to School Website Updates

·         A new interactive map has been added to guide you to farm to school contacts at state government agencies and Cooperative Extension offices across the country.

·         Resources on local meat, eggs and dairy, including grading and inspection of meat and poultry and availability of slaughterhouses, have been added to the Food Safety section of the website found here.

Census Releases State-by-State Poverty Data

U.S. Census Bureau released new data that show the extent of poverty, including child poverty, in every state in 2010. Visit FRAC’s website for state-by-state charts on poverty and child poverty.

 

September MarketMaker Newsletter highlights Farm to School

Check it out here.

 

Governor Draws Health, Wellness Lessons from MI Good Food Charter

In mid-September, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder shared his ideas for improving health and wellness, including farm to school and healthier nutrition standards at schools. Full text of Governor Snyder’s address is available here. On a related note, Keith Creagh, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture, spoke about food access in this piece from Lansing’s Channel 6 news.

Montague Area Public Schools and Whitehall District Schools attempt to set world record for the “most people eating apples at one time" – with Michigan apples! See attachment for press release.

Washtenaw County:  Farm to School programs recognized nationally in October 

Schools all over the nation are celebrating the first National Farm to School Month thanks to a resolution passed by Congress last year. Click here to read more about what's happening with Farm to School in Michigan. 

 

Flint and Detroit schools are participating the USDA Community Eligibility Option Program, a pilot program that provides all students, regardless of economic status, with two free meals and snacks each school day if 40% or more of the children in a school/district qualify for free lunch. Click here to read the full story about Flint School District, and read more about Detroit Public Schools here.

 

Federal government requirements force some schools to increase lunch prices, possibly for multiple years to come 

A new rule, “Paid Lunch Price Equity,”which is based on how much the government reimburses schools for free lunches has led to increases in the cost of lunch in at least 12 Genesee County area school districts. Read the full story here. 

 

Scaling-up Connections between Regional Ohio Specialty Crop Producers and Local Markets: Distribution as the Missing Link

This Ohio State University report explores the opportunities for scaling up distribution of local fruits and vegetables in Ohio through conventional distribution and retail methods. Read the full report here. 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

"School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity"
Just released by the CDC, this guide includes information about healthy school environments and farm to school.

 

“Farm to School for parents” Webinar

An archived version of the webinar is now available here.

 

The Michigan Junior Chef 2011 Cookbook, with a food service edition, and videos are now available online.

 

MIFFS has released online a project report titled "Maximizing Engagement To Minimize Food Safety Risk: Improving Training and Regulatory Impacts for Small Processors, Producers, and Food Entrepreneurs".

 

Iowa Farm to School Toolkit to Celebrate Farm-to-School Month
This toolkit (attached) is a template for other locations to use to celebrate the month!

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES 

 

Michigan Economic Development Corporation in partnership with Michigan State University and Michigan Department of Agriculture is offering financial support to farmers, non-profit organizations and educational facilities to construct hoop houses, high tunnels, unheated greenhouses or other passive solar system in Michigan. See flyer attached for more information about the Farm to Food Program.  

 

Submit your original video that shows creative ways students are tackling the problem of childhood hunger to USDA's Ending Childhood Hunger Video Contest. Click here for more information on how to enter. 

 

The Culinary Trust announced a grant program for culinary professionals to help implement Michelle Obama's Chefs Move to Schools initiative. Small grants may be used for gardens, curriculum, cooking classes, cafeteria, etc. Information and application can be found here.  

 

Small Grant Program for Schools Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health has a small grant program for schools interested in promoting health eating and physical activity.  To be eligible, 80% or more of students must qualify for federal food programs. Grant funds are to be used to help schools meet the requirements of the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, the USDA’s recognition program. Five grants of $5,000 each will be awarded. Click here for more details.

 

 

EVENTS

 

USDA and the School Nutrition Foundation are offering a webinar titled “Applying Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to Farm-to-School and School Gardens”

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

2-3:15 pm EST

Click here to register

 

FRAC Webinars:

·         Child Nutrition Reauthorization: Putting the Act into Action Webinar
School Year 2011-2012 - New Opportunities to Increase Nutrition Resources for Low-Income School-Age Children
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
1 – 2 pm EST
Click here to register

 

·         Afterschool Meals Matter Conference Calls: Reducing Administrative Barriers

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

1:00 pm EST
Click here to register

 

·         Afterschool Meals Matter Conference Calls: Building School Participation

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

1:00 pm EST

Click here to register

 

Michigan Nutrition Standards Toolkit Training

November 7 – 11, 2011 from 8 am – 3 pm at sites around Michigan

·         Monday, November 7^th – Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids

·         Tuesday, November 8^th – Oakland Intermediate School District, Waterford

·         Wednesday, November 9^th – Winding Brook Conference Center, Shepherd

·         Thursday, November 10^th – Marquette-Alger RESA, Marquette

·         Friday, November 11^th – Grand Traverse Resort, Acme

See attached flyers for details and a link to register.

 

School Nutrition Association of Michigan Conference

November 11-13, 2011

Grand Traverse Resort

Traverse City, MI

Click here to register

 

 

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

 

 

 

FW: RFP for Healthy Schools Mini-grant program due Oct 13th

FYI

 

 

2012 OMH Healthy School Environments Action Learning Collaborative

Award Announcement Letter

 

September 1, 2011

 

SUBJECT: Application for 2012  Healthy School Environments: Promoting Healthful School Food, Nutrition Education, Physical Activity and Physical Education.

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

This letter is to announce the launch of a Request for Proposal for participation in the Office of Minority Health Healthy School Environments Action Learning Collaborative.

 

We hope you can share with your networks in order to have the widest pool of applicants possible, and to ensure that schools and organizations in underserved communities learn about this opportunity.

 

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are individual public schools (non-charter) located in the 50 states, and the District of Columbia that participate in the National School Lunch Program and have a low income student population of 80% or greater (as determined by percentage of students eligible for free and reduced school meals). Not-for-profit organizations that have been directed by a school to apply for the award are also eligible. Applicants must also be official USDA Team Nutrition Schools.

 

Purpose of Program

The purpose of Healthy School Environments: Promoting Healthful School Food, Nutrition Education, Physical Activity and Physical Education  is to support schools in low income communities as they strive to improve the long term health and success of students through the successful adoption of the USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge standards.

 

Grant Period: January 1, 2012-December 31, 2012

 

Deadline to Apply

Online applications must be submitted by no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Print Applications must be postmarked no later than October 13, 2011.

 

Award Announcement Date: December 1, 2011

 

How to Apply

You can download the application from OMH website on the following link: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/HSEALC.pdf

 

Email completed application to iestrada@minorityhealth.hhs.gov and send by surface mail the completed application and cover letter signed by the project lead and the school principal.

 

Reporting

Since this is a learning endeavor, an interim and final report of lessons learned, and input in the final report of the Action Learning Collaborative are conditions of the utilization of the funds.

 

Information and Assistance

For information on the application and/or the award contact Isabel M. Estrada-Portales, Ph.D. at iestrada@minorityhealth.hhs.gov or 1-800-444-6472.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Advisory Committee Members,

Today is the day! So, we are launching today the Request for Proposals.

You can find a link to the RFP here: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/HSEALC.pdf

Also, a link to the whole Action Learning Collaborative is here: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlID=578

 

Please, forward this to all your contacts. Use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and any other means available.

 

Let's all give it our all and see what we get.

 

To our children!

 

ALC Link: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlID=578

RFP Link: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/HSEALC.pdf

 

 

To be a health leader, be a follower of OMH on Twitter!

 

Isabel M. Estrada-Portales, Ph.D., M.S.
Director of Communications
Office of Minority Health Resource Center
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 650
Rockville, MD 20852
800.444.6472, ext. 223
minorityhealth.hhs.gov   

iestrada@minorityhealth.hhs.gov
https://twitter.com/MinorityHealth

 

It is not the avoidance of conflict that leads to peace; it is the responsible and respectful handling of differences that establishes peaceful principles.

 

There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there." Indira Gandhi

 

A leader is best when people barely know he exists.
Not so good when people obey and acclaim him.
Worse when they despise him.
Fail to honor people,
They fail to honor you.
But of a good leader, who talks little
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
The people will say, "We did this ourselves."
- Lao-tsu