MI Farm to School Newsletter

Huzzah! It seems like Spring is finally here. With that, lots of great stuff happening in farm to school all across the country. Don't forget to get your applications in for the MI Farm to School Grant Program, and check out some of our recent webinars that are recorded and available for your Friday evening viewing pleasure (grab some popcorn and locally grown radishes as a movie snack!)

Here's this week's updates on the farm to school front:

Opportunities

• MI Farm to School Grant Program – Applications close Wednesday May 11
• June 2-4 2016, National Farm to Cafeteria Conference – Registration closes May 16
• Webinar: Forum: Power up with summer meals in schools!  - Wednesday May 11, 1-2 pm
  • This webinar will discuss proven strategies for community stakeholders to develop and expand USDA Summer Meals Programs. Port Huron Schools in Michigan will be featured!
• Webinar: School garden education for children experiencing behavioral and mental health challenges – Tuesday May 17 2 pm
  • Learn about the benefits of school gardens to develop positive and empowering life skills
• Health Food Connect Grant – Application due June 1, 2016 at 5 pm
  • This initiative offers funding to initiatives that increase healthy food access for children and seniors in the seven counties of southeast Michigan. Check out the video from the March 30th kick-off event.
• Job Opening: USDA Office of Community Food Systems – Apply by Tuesday May 17
  • Two permanent, full time openings for Program Analysts in the Office of Community Food Systems. One will be charged with coordinating efforts to bring more local foods into school programs, the other will manage summer and Child and Adult Care Food Program portfolio.
• Growing Hope "Veggucation" classes – Thursday May 19 6:00 pm, Ypsilanti, MI
  • Growing Hope will teach the Square Foot Gardening Method at their site in Ypsilanti. Registration required

News

• Selling directly to consumers helps farms stay in business – Fruit Growers News
  • Economists have found that farmers who market goods directly to consumers are more likely to remain in business.
• Kennedy announces final passage of farm to school legislation – Branford Patch
  • Exciting bill out of Connecticut that incentivizes food service companies to develop relationships and contracts with local farmers
• Radishes can actually be pretty rad – MSU Extension
  • I love a good pun, and this article highlights the potential uses of radishes in school meals!

Resources

• Office of School Nutrition: Healthy Living – Detroit Public Schools
  • This video shows how Detroit Public Schools creates their "stoplight salad" from products they grow on their farm – a great substitute that gets local food in school meals!
• Farm to Summer Webinar – MSU CRFS
  • If you missed our webinar from this week, check out the recording here!
• Film: Food Frontiers – Center for a Livable Future
  • This short film tells six stories about projects around the country aimed at increasing access to healthy food – including one on farm to school in California
• Survey Results: Farm to school in early care and education builds healthy kids with bright futures – National Farm to School Network
  • Results from the recent national Farm to Early Care and Education survey

Go soak up all that good Vitamin D this weekend!

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