Greetings Network!
Happy last day of school! It has been a few weeks since I've gotten an update out to you all, so this one is chock full!
Last week, we had the privilege of attending the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. It was four jam packed days of networking, learning, and eating delicious food (they purchased a couple of whole hogs and cows for the week!). In addition to leading a few sessions of our own, it was a chance to learn about all the innovations across the country and come together to celebrate all the progress we've made in the last few years! The keynote speakers were especially excellent, and I encourage you all to check out the National Farm to School Network Facebook page to see some of the highlights.
Colleen and I got up close and personal with a chicken as well.
Lots of other exciting news as well – I encourage you to watch the awesome video on one of our Farm to School Grantees, Nathan Bates at Boyne Falls, linked to below. It is truly inspiring (and delicious looking!). Also, be sure to check out the Minneapolis Public Schools Toolkit (in resources below) which is an amazing example of some great farm to school work in our Great Lakes neighbor state.
Requests!
- Cultivate Michigan is seeking institutional recipes for the Summer 2016 Featured Food: CARROTS! Recipes should be institutional in size and sent to zieglerg@anr.msu.edu
- Cultivate Michigan also wants to know how you define local when it comes to food. If you're a food buyer or make food purchasing decisions at an institution, help us out by completing this quick survey
News
- Featured Video: Chef Nate – Petoskey News
- This is an awesome spotlight on one of our farm to school grantees and their local purchasing strategies in Northern Michigan
- Schools across America honored for their "One in a Melon" farm to school programs - USDA Office of Community Food Systems
- Congratulations to Michigan's one-in-a-melon winner, Montague Area Public Schools! They're the top school district awarded by the USDA for their innovative work in farm to school.
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- Michigan's 2014 minimum wage law may not guarantee minimum wage for farmworkers being paid by piece-rate on large farms.
- Check out the early stages of farm to school in Muskegon County, which received a USDA Farm to School Implementation Grant.
- Ten cents a meal for school kids and farms – MSU Extension
- Highlighting the pilot project in Northwest Michigan that will aim to provide funding for schools utilizing local foods
- School gardens in summer – MSU Extension
- Tips for keeping your school garden going when school is not in session
Resources
- MPS Farm to School Toolkit – Minneapolis Public Schools
- Minneapolis has been doing incredible farm to school work. This toolkit shares their tools, resources, and documents that have been used along the way.
- USDA announces effort to strengthen nutrition among young children to create healthy habits early – USDA
- The Child and Adult Care Food Program meal patterns were recently updated, and they set farm to school as a best practice! Learn more about the standards here.
Opportunities
- National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant - Applications close June 30, 2016
- Memo attached! Think about what equipment might aid you in purchasing more local food!
- Job Opportunity: North Carolina Farm two Childcare Program Coordinator – North Carolina
- The position will plan, design, conduct, and evaluate elements of the Farm to Childcare initiative.
Happy start to summer! Stay cool this weekend, Ganders!
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
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