MI Farm to School News

Hello all -

Last week's news is coming to you today! There will be more coming Friday as there was just too much to fit into one newsletter and I wanted to make sure to highlight our upcoming webinars, the call for applications for the MI Farm to School Grant Program (and the webinar coming up on Thursday!), and the One in a Melon Competition out of USDA. 

Opportunities

• MI Farm to School Grant Program – applications due May 11 at 5 pm
  • The MI Farm to School Grant Program is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year! See the website for more details, and join us for an informational webinar on Thursday April 14 at 1 pm. Resister for the webinar at https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/393761a96d075cdf4ac87b605f06faf5
• Webinar: The Raw Deal: Strategies for Handling Fresh Poultry in Schools – Wednesday April 13, 1-2pm
  • This School Food Focus webinar will cover food safety strategies for integrating fresh poultry into school menus
• Forward Contracting Webinar – Monday April 18 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
  • This webinar will discuss the different ways schools and early childhood programs can use a forward contract when purchasing local foods. https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/1ac4ab197c2d907634538d7d4481ef37
• Farm to Summer Webinar – Tuesday May 3, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
  • Learn about how to incorporate local food into summer food service programs. Register for this webinar at https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/21539ac3c084a7f2cde7dc3c8da9331e
• Is your district One in a Melon?
  • Now through April 15, USDA is running a contest for school districts to win a "One in a Melon" award for one great farm to school program from each state.
• School Wellness Award – Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services and Education
  • The Michigan School Wellness award recognizes schools making significant improvements to their school environments related to healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco free lifestyles. Apply online at http://mihealthtools.org/greatschools

News

• Agriculture Forum: Hoophouses for Health program takes twin strides – Record Eagle
  • Highlight on Hoophouses for Health in the Traverse City area, including work going on in schools and early childhood programs!
• Ann Arbor Farm to School Collaborative Guide to Serving Garden Produce in AAPS - Ann Arbor Farm to School Weebly
  • Ann Arbor created some great guides about using garden produce in public schools, especially relevant if you are working with a food service management company. There are some great tips on getting students to try new foods as well!
• ​Food service director helps ensure greater access to school meals - Michigan State University Extension 
  • Kalkaska Public Schools Food Service Director Christine Luce discusses the role of a Food Service Director in supporting student health. Part of that includes farm to school programming that gets local food on the menu!
• SNAP-Ed Helps Spur Healthy Choices – USDA
  • This article features efforts through SNAP-Ed to encourage physical activity, work to improve nutrition, and prevent obesity, with an emphasis on local food and school gardens!

Hope the snow is melting rapidly by you!

Best,

Abby Harper

Farm to School Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Rd Rm 309 | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517-432-4525 (f) 517-353-3834

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu