Greetings all!
Hope you are all enjoying the end to this long and lovely fall we've been having! Farm to School Month may be over, but that doesn't mean the activities are ending. We've had a couple light frosts in mid-Michigan, but with season extension and storage, local food is available year round. Get excited for hoophouse greens, root veggies, and, of course, apples all winter long! With innovation in agriculture, farm to school is possible in any month.
There's a lot of good stuff in the news this week: there's a great article on Farm to School in Michigan, an exciting opportunity to support research on the local economic impact of farm to school, and a great report out of Montana on their Beef to School work. Definitely check out the work of the Chef Ann Foundation and an opportunity to transition schools to scratch cooking operations! Also, for those of you who weren't able to attend the Good Food Summit last week, there's an article that really gives a glimpse of what it was like to be there in the news.
Thanks as always for all the work you do!
News
· Farm to school program is good for students, schools, and farmers alike – Second Wave Media
o This article highlights TWO MI Farm to School Grantees and the impacts of farm to school in Michigan! Must read.
· What a rock star and epidemiologist have in common – Second Wave Media
o Highlights from the Michigan Good Food Summit. That title says it all!
· Small steps, big impact - National Farm to School Network
o It was another amazing Farm to School Month! Read all the highlights from the National Farm to School Network.
· Changing the Michigan food world one potato at a time – Rapid Growth
o This article highlights the growth of food hubs throughout Michigan, a key partner in making Farm to School work!
· Healthy vending machine allows fresh and taste options for school community – MSU Extension
o Highlights the work of Kathy Gutowski, Food Service Director at Manistee Area Public Schools, to get fresh, local, healthy food into their cafeteria
Resources
· Moooooving Forward Together: Strategies for Montana Beef to School – Montana State University
o This report features an overview of the Montana Beef to School program, including lessons learned on making beef to school and farm to school more feasible in Montana. It's also punny!
Opportunities
!!! highlights time sensitive opportunities
· !!! National Farm to School Network seeks volunteers for local economic impact study
o The National Farm to School Network is collaborating with researchers from Colorado State University to conduct a study of the local economic impact of farm to school. They are seeking volunteers that have existing relationships with schools and producers to assist with data collection. Contact libby.christensen@colostate.edu by today, Friday November 4
· School Food Support Initiative
o Chef Ann Foundation is accepting applications for an 18-month technical assistance program to help districts transition to scratch cook operations. They will accept seven school districts. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2016.
o Applications are still open for the FY 2017 Farm to School Grant. Awards ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 will be distributed in four different grant categories: Planning, Implementation, Support Service, and Training. Applications are due December 8, 2016.
· Safer Brand School Garden Grant
o Grants of $500 are available to a school to start a garden in 2017 to help build healthy habits. Applications are due December 1.
Best, and happy eating!
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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