Here's the latest Farm to School-related news, opportunities, resources and events.
NEWS:
Check Out These New Michigan Farm to School Videos!
This video takes place at Olivet Community Schools where a farmer visits the cafeteria, and this video shows off the herb production at MSU's Bailey Greenhouse.
Hunger Doesn't Take A Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report 2014
According to a new report released by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), for the first time in a decade, the number of low-income children eating summer meals has increased substantially.
USDA Announces School Meal Flexibility For Upcoming School Year
Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon announced that there will be more flexibility for school districts working to meet the updated whole grain requirements for school meals. For additional information, click to see the USDA's Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs: A Guide to Meeting the Whole-Grain Rich Criteria.
State of Origin for USDA Foods in FIscal Year 2012
This report outlines where all USDA Foods purchased in 2012 were processed and packed. Michigan, along with California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas had the highest dollar values of USDA Foods purchased. For more information and to read the full article, click the link above. Click here for the data that was included in this report.
2013 Food Hub Financial Benchmarking Study Report
The 2013 Food Hub Financial Benchmarking Study Report has been released by the Wallace Center and partners!
A Lesson in Farming, Classroom to Cafeteria
From the New York Times, this story shares an interdisciplinary approach (involving cattle) to Farm to School!
How to Build an Equitable Food System: Lessons From Battle Creek from Michigan Nightlight
Good Food Battle Creek is striving to improve access to healthy food by bringing stakeholders together to address challenges that currently exist in the local food system.
OPPORTUNITIES:
USDA Secretary Vilsack Announces The Local Foods Local Places Initiative
The Local Foods, Local Places federal grant program provides direct support to selected communities to develop and implement plans to promote local food and downtown revitalization. Click the link above for more information about the program, eligibility requirements and instruction on how to apply. Letters of interest are due by July 15, 2014.
RESOURCES:
Updated Buying Local Fact Sheet
The updated version of this useful guidance document from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is attached.
Meet Up and Eat Up! Click the link above to check out the new Michigan Department of Education Summer Meals Site Locator Map, which will now be updated on a weekly basis. There were upgrades to this tool and individuals will not be able to use it via mobile devices and/ or tablets. People will also be able to dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the state and get up to date information on site locations.
Expanded Eligibility for Summer Food and CACFP Child Care Homes
On a related note, click on the link above to access a USDA memo outlining greater flexibility for eligibility for the Summer Food Service Program, the Child Adult Care Food Program (CAFCP), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Summer Seamless Option (SSO) . This map provided by FRAC show eligibility through census data.
Farm to Preschool Fact Sheets and Trainings
The National Farm to School Network has released new Farm to Preschool fact sheets and trainings. Click the link above to check out items such as: Getting Started with Farm to Preschool, Experiential Education in Farm to Preschool and a handful of others! Just search for Farm to Preschool resources in NFSN only publications.
Click the link above for all the information you need to start your own garden! From planting a kitchen garden in your own backyard or starting a school garden, this guide offers something for everyone.
EVENTS:
Michigan Green Healthcare 7th Annual Conference
Michigan Green Healthcare Committee's 7th annual conference
Grand Rapids, MI
October 8th – October 9th, 2014
Lansing Center in Lansing, MI
October 28th
Stay tuned for news about a limited opportunity to join in a Michigan Farm to Institution Network Meet Up the previous day, October 27th, at the same location!
Happy summer!
Colleen Matts
Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network
Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824
(p) 517.432.0310
www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu
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