Michigan Farm to School News

Greetings,

Enjoy the latest Farm to School–related news bites!

NEWS

Rule on Compliance for Six-cents Per Meal Incentive

The USDA has published a rule explaining the certification of compliance process for schools to receive a performance-based cash incentive of six-cents per meal under the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010. Learn more about the certification process in the Federal Register here, and read the USDA’s press release here.

New Regional Food Hub Resource Guide

The USDA’s first Regional Food Hub Resource Guide, aimed to connect small- and medium- sized producers and help expand their market opportunities, has been released. This comprehensive handbook can be used by anyone interested in creating or strengthening a food hub in their community.

Farm to School Thrives in the Midwest

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service Midwest Region “At the Table” newsletter mentions the Great Lakes Farm to School Network and the diverse activities around the region. Check out the exciting happenings in the attached newsletter.

Michigan State University’s new Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is pleased to announce the release of the publication, “Creating Change in the Food System.” This report, authored by Rich Pirog of MSU CRFS and Corry Bregendahl of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, details the growth and achievements of the Regional Food Systems Working Group in Iowa over the past eight years. The report can be accessed at http://bit.ly/ccfsreport

A new article from the Journal of School Health explores whether farm to school programs are more common in states with farm to school related laws. Read the article attached.

RESOURCES

Summer Meals Matter Conference Call Recording

In case you missed the Summer Meals Matter conference call about the Summer Meals Kick-off Week and Outreach to Parents on May 1^st, you can listen to a recording by calling: (866)854-2507 and entering the conference ID number: 390213.

2012 USDA Industry Conference Presentations

USDA Agricultural Market Service Commodity Procurement Division has made available the presentations from the 2012 Industry Conference. Find them here.

OPPORTUNITIES

USDA Farm to School Grant Program

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Initial letters of intent were due on Friday, May 18^th, and applications for Planning and Implementation Grants are due by June 15, 2012. For more information and resources, visit the USDA Farm to School Grant Program webpage here. If you’re interested in applying for this grant opportunity, check out the Colorado Farm to School Task Force’s handy spreadsheet tool (attached) to help facilitate the process.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Childhood Obesity Grant

The USDA AFRI program will provide up to $1 million grants to programs designed to reduce prevalence of overweight and obesity in children 2-19 years of age. The Childhood Obesity Program supports Multi-function Integrated Research, Education, and/or Extension Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) grants. Find more information and eligibility here. The deadline to apply is June 5, 2012.

Healthy Breakfast 4 Kids Grant Program

Food Family Farming Foundation (F3) and Walmart Foundation are partnering to provide more than 100 equipment grants of $2,500 to schools in order to aid in the establishment or improvement of universal breakfast programs. The application period has been extended to September 15, 2012. Find more information, including eligibility info, here.

Share Your Farm to School Story and Win

The Roadmaps to Health Prize will award six prizes of $25,000 in order to honor communities who have come together to make needed and lasting healthy changes in their communities. This is a perfect opportunity to share your Farm to School success story! For more information and the online application, click here. Notices of intent are due by May 31^st, and the deadline for full applications is June 7, 2012.

Home Depot Foundation Community Impact Grants

Grants up to $5,000 in Home Depot gift cards for tools, materials and services will be awarded to agencies using volunteers to improve the physical health of their communities. The deadline to apply is August 13, 2012.

EVENTS

Michigan Good Food Summit

June 14, 2012

Lansing Center

Lansing, MI

2012 National Value Added Agriculture Conference

June 24-26, 2012

Grand Traverse Resort

Traverse City, MI

6^th Annual National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

August 2-5, 2012

Burlington, Vermont