Info Session - MI Farm to School Grant Program

Greetings,

This is just a reminder that we will host an informational webinar for prospective applicants for the MI Farm to School Grant Program this Thursday, April 16th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. To join the webinar, please log in at the appointed time to http://msucrfs.adobeconnect.com/mi_fts_2013-14/ and call 1-888-850-4523, Participant Code: 690382 for audio.

 

We will do our best to record the webinar in order to make it available to those who are unable to attend this Thursday. Please see more details about the grant program below and attached, and feel free to be in touch with me directly if you have any questions.

 

Best,

 

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

 

 

From: Matts, Colleen [mailto:matts@ANR.MSU.EDU]
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 11:48 AM
Subject: Call for applications - MI Farm to School Grant Program

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the MI FARM to School Grant program

 

With funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is now accepting applications for the MI Farm to School Grant Program for the 2015 - 2016 school year! The MI Farm to School Grant Program will award up to 20 Michigan K-12 schools/districts and early childhood programs with funds ($2,000 maximum each) to plan for or implement Farm to School programs. The grant year is September 8, 2015 – June 5, 2016. Applications are due by 5 pm on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

 

The MI Farm to School Grant Program offers Planning and Implementation grants:

¾      Planning Grants help schools/districts and early childhood programs plan for integrating local foods into their meal programs AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Action Plan to begin a Farm to School program.

¾      Implementation Grants help schools/districts and early childhood programs put existing Farm to School plans into action AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Sustainability Plan to keep the program going in future years.

Eligibility

¾      Only food service/nutrition directors/providers of schools/districts or early childhood programs are eligible to apply. Only one application may be submitted per school/district or early childhood program per year.

¾      Schools/districts must have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment to apply.

¾      For early childhood programs:

o    Head Start programs, including Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and Native American Head Start, Early Head Start and Great Start Readiness programs automatically qualify given federal and state requirements for these programs.

o    If a preschool or other early childhood program is in a K-12 school/district, the school or district must have 50% free and reduced price meal eligibility or greater. Programs solely contracting with a school/district for food programs must apply in partnership with the school/district food/nutrition services director.

o    Other center-based programs such as private for profit, private non-profit, faith-based, and day care home programs must be located in an attendance area of a school building where at least 50% of the enrollment are eligible for free and reduced price meals. All programs must receive USDA CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) meal reimbursements.

¾      See application materials for more details about eligibility.

 

 

 

An informational webinar for prospective applicants will be held on Thursday, April 16th from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. To join the webinar, log in at the appointed time to: http://msucrfs.adobeconnect.com/mi_fts_2013-14/ and call 1-888-850-4523, Participant Code: 690382 for audio.

 

For applications and additional information, please see the attachments/links within this email or visit the MI Farm to School Grant Program webpage. Please contact Colleen Matts, Farm to Institution Specialist, with questions or for more information at matts@anr.msu.edu or 517-432-0312.

 

 

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