Hello all –
Happy Friday! Fun fact, this is technically the last MI Farm to School news of winter, but you wouldn't know that by stepping outside. I'm itching for warmer weather and fresh berries, so I caved this week and made a pie with last summer's blueberries in honor of my favorite holiday – Pi Day! It temporarily made me forget that it was below zero outside, but soon enough we'll be bringing Michigan grown crunchy asparagus, tender lettuce, and snappy peas to school and early childhood program menus. Get excited, and celebrate with the latest in MI Farm to School News!
P.S. Before we enter Michigan's peak growing season, it's a great time to sign up for Cultivate Michigan! If you sign up today, you might be in time to receive our next round of egg-cellent featured food promotional materials and purchasing guides. And if you have an egg-ceptional egg-centric recipe, be sure to share it through our Cultivate Michigan Call for Recipes.
Best,
Abby
News
Celebrate CACFP with Farm to Early Care and Education
National Farm to School Network
Its National CACFP Week! CACFP provides approximately 1.9 billion meals and snacks to over 3.3 million children each day, and each one is an opportunity to bring good, local food to young eaters.
The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association Announces the 2017 Silver Plate Class
PR Newswire
Recipients of the 2017 Silver Plate Awards are in - Congratulations to our own Michigander Betti Wiggins for receiving an award!
Events
Slow Food Huron Valley Presents the 2017 Local Food Summit
March 20th, 2017 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Ann Arbor
Join community members to discuss what innovative models, ideas, and policies are ensuring local food accessibility to everyone. The Farm to Institution track is a particularly great opportunity to learn what Washtenaw County is doing.
Webinar: Farm to School in the Every Student Succeeds Act
March 21st, 2017 3:00 pm-4:00 pm EDT
Learn about various funding opportunities and policy levers that you can utilize to move farm to school forward in your communities. Register at the link above.
Webinar: NFSN Farm to Early Care and Education Webinar: Statewide Farm to ECE Network Building
April 12th, 2017 3:30 pm-4:30 pm EDT
ECE network building is a key approach to institutionalizing farm to ECE and increasing opportunities for all. Register today and be a step closer to obtaining key tips to success in building a statewide farm to ECE network.
Resources
MI Farm to ECE Webinar Series – Early Childhood Gardens for Experiential Learning
Watch the most recent of the Farm to ECE webinars – Kristin Salem presented on how Adventures Learning Center uses on-site gardens to enhance learning experiences for their children. Be sure to catch this 7th segment of our Farm to ECE mini-webinar series!
Reducing Food Waste In Out-Of-School Time: Best Practices Guide
Public Health Law Center
Students discard 26 percent of the total food budget annually, and serving high-quality meals and snacks that are less likely to be discarded can improve your program participation rates, reach and overall impact.
Funding
Request for Applications: Native Communities with Farm to School
National Farm to School Network – Due March 22
The project will provide five Native schools mini-grants in the amount of $5,900 to expand and promote farm to school.
National Head Start Association
I learned about this opportunity while at the Michigan Head Start Association Annual Conference yesterday. Grants up to $250 are available for Head Start programs to build gardens.
Smart from the Start
Awards of up to $20,000 for preschool teachers to create practical, long-term improvements in nutrition and physical activity at their preschool.
Opportunities
National Farm to School Network – Remote
NFSN is seeking a Development Director to lead the organization towards strategic growth and diversification of its funding base. Apply by March 20, 2017.
Job: Growers/Producers Network Coordinator
Edible Flint
This position will build capacity of existing growers to produce for sales by providing them with access to equipment, training and technical assistance and securing resources.
Policy and Grassroots Internships
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
NSAC is hiring for two summer internship positions, see attached position descriptions for more information.
Gardening tips and more at this year's Starting and Sustaining a School Garden Conference
MSU Extension
Join MSU and fellow educators in exploring all the ways school gardens contribute to a healthier school environment. Gain knowledge and skills to start and maintain an effective school garden. Register today!
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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