Greetings all!
It's been a few weeks since I've sent out news, and my apologies! I've been working with some national partners to expand awareness of farm to ECE at some really wonderful conferences, and it's been refreshing to see how many places farm to ECE has come up! People are all a-buzz about gardens, local food purchasing, and making connections with agriculture. I love it, and it's been wonderful to see so many of you!
This week's news is coming on a Tuesday, and chock full of awesome news about I've highlighted a couple of time sensitive opportunities below that I think you might find valuable!
Resources
Creating Culturally Relevant Farm to ECE Programs
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
If you missed the last in our MI Farm to ECE mini-webinar series, be sure to catch us here! Learn some tips for how farm to ECE programs can help you create more culturally relevant early childhood programs. The next webinar is coming up on May 31 at 1 pm , and highlights opportunities to create farm to ECE curriculum!
Office of Community Food Systems Farm to School Resources
USDA
The USDA Office of Community Food Systems has updated their resources for procuring local food! Be sure to check out their wealth of guides, fact sheets, and webinars to learn more
CACFP Meal Pattern Training Tools
USDA
The new CACFP meal pattern is coming, and these four infographics will help you successfully update your menus to align with the new meal pattern.
GREEN Tool offers evidence-based guidance for school garden success
Lehman College
This is one of the first evidence-based guides for planting and nurturing sustainable school gardens, including characteristics of gardens that help to play an enduring role in the life of the school.
Opportunities
!!!Webinar: Garden to Cafeteria Toolkit Launch
May 18, 4 pm EST
Slow Food USA has assembled a Garden to Cafeteria (GTC) toolkit to assist a school district in developing the necessary food safety protocols, training workshops, and partnerships to launch their own GTC program.
Jobs
!!!Real Food Challenge: Development Manager
Third Sector New England- Due by May 18, 2017
The largest student movement in the country fighting for food justice and a sustainable food economy is looking for a leader that will help expand the movement for food justice across our generation. Apply here.
News
Some excellent news articles this week for your reading pleasure!
Hey Kids, Salt Stays and Grains Go in School Meals
AP News
Under changes to federal nutrition standards announced on Monday, schools won't have to cut more salt from meals just yet and some will be able to serve kids fewer whole grains.
4 Not-So-Easy Ways to Dismantle Racism in the Food System
Yes! Magazine
This article visually explains different ways racism plays out in our food system. It also contains two solutions for each of them—some of the systemic changes we'd need to fully address and take action on.
"Try-It Tuesdays" Promote Healthy Eating in Schools
Petoskey News
A group of parents and community members have come together in Petoskey and developed a farm-to-school program that allows students to taste, learn and give feedback on the produce that is given to them.
Farm to Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania: A Promising Start with Room for Growth
The Food Trust
This report provides information on early successes of farm to ECE activities in Pennsylvania, and summarizes expertise, ideas and thoughts on how to move farm to ECE forward.
How the quality of school lunches affects students' academic performance
Brookings Institute
This story looks at how school nutrition impacts educational achievement, focusing on the quality of food served. In years when a school contracts with a healthy lunch company, students at the school score better on end-of-year academic tests.
Are your kids passionate about food? Here's how they can make a difference
Associated Press
Some fun facts on how kids can take action to make a difference in their food system!
Best, and have a wonderful week!
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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