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Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Your thoughts on food waste reduction in Michigan?

Hi all,

Below is a request from ​our friends at Make Food Not Waste. Please feel free to help spread the word.


Make Food Not Waste is pulling together recommendations for addressing food loss and waste reduction to be included in Michigan's Climate Plan, which is being updated right now. 

If you would like to see or add to the proposed recommendations, follow this link and share your thoughts.

Please provide your input by Friday, July 9!


Regards,
Andrea


-- 

Andrea Weiss (she / her)

Communications Director

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems 

Natural Resources Building

480 Wilson Road, Room 309

East Lansing, MI 48824

(517) 432-0283


foodsystems.msu.edu 

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems Facebook and Twitter 


In response to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems team members are working remotely and refraining from travel or attending in-person meetings. Our response time may be a bit slower than normal due to family and community responsibilities.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Fwd: Work with CEFS! Farm to School Outreach Extension Assistant

Greetings,

Please see information below about a position posting with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at North Carolina State University.

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

(she, her, hers)

Farm to Institution Specialist

Coordinator, Michigan Farm to Institution Network

Core Partner, National Farm to School Network

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

matts@msu.edu | 517.432.0310

foodsystems.msu.edu | cultivatemichigan.org | mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

In response to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems team members are working remotely and refraining from travel or attending in-person meetings. Our response time may be a bit slower than normal due to family and community responsibilities. 

 

 

From: tessa eliza thraves <tes_thraves@ncsu.edu>
Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Subject: Work with CEFS! Farm to School Outreach Extension Assistant

Please Forward to Your Networks! position open--1st round of application reviews on Friday, so apply soon! 

Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

Farm to School Outreach Extension Assistant

 

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is seeking a Farm to School (F2S) Outreach Assistant. The F2S Outreach Assistant will support CEFS' farm to school work, and also help coordinate and support the steering committee of the Farm to School Coalition of NC, including management of the F2SCNC website updates, social media accounts, weekly newsletter, and listserv. 



CEFS and the Farm to School Coalition of NC are multi-disciplinary and state-agency teams. The Farm to School Coalition of NC and CEFS both are committed to work through a Racial Equity lens and all work will be done with Racial Equity as a priority. By working with a Racial Equity lens we mean three things: 1) Acknowledge the presence of structures that shape life options and outcomes. 2) Analyze the impact of structures on a specific issue, condition, or population. 3) Develop structural strategies to interrupt inequities and improve outcomes and opportunities for all.

 

This is a full-time 1 year position with potential renewal. This position will be a remote position until further notice due to COVID-19, and can stay remote within NC or become an in-person position once CEFS staff return to the office on the NC State University campus (likely in July 2021). This position will provide an opportunity to gain rich experience in farm to school working with both state agency leads in farm to school as well as day to day practitioners and students.   

 

Position Description:

The primary purpose of this F2S Outreach Extension Assistant position is to

  • support relationship development and communications of the farm to school (f2s) Initiatives of CEFS and the Farm to School Coalition of NC, as well as 
  • partner in developing, designing, and implementing outreach programming that advances farm to school across NC. 

The F2S Outreach Extension Assistant will report to CEFS F2S Coordinator and support the coordination of the Farm to School Coalition of NC steering committee.  

The specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • work with principal investigators and project leads on program development, outreach, implementation, data collection, and assessment;
  • coalition logistical support;
  • social media, listserv, website management and communications; and 
  • support on development of promotional, training, and educational resources.

Other

The Extension Local Foods Working group is developing an on-line course in farm to school with multiple modules, and the F2S Outreach Extension Assistant will be part of our farm to school working group to develop particular modules, based on expertise and interest.

  • helping team create content at planning sessions,
  • supporting connection of community partners with the film crew, and
  • work on final products with whole team and curriculum specialist.

Additional duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Experience/Education – Master's degree in Food Systems, Agriculture, Rural Development, Education, Nutrition, Dietetics,  or related fields, OR Bachelor's degree in above disciplines with at least 3 years of related experience, possibly as an intern, apprentice, or early career position in related area.

Other Required Qualifications –

  • Knowledge of food systems and farm to school generally, the impacts of racial inequities and strategies for building Racial Equity in Food Systems/Farm to School.
  • Clear racial equity lens and ability to analyze impacts of programs and processes.
  • Knowledge of educational systems as well as farm to school challenges, needs, and key players.
  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
  • Excellent organizing, people, decision making, computer and social media skills for a variety of audiences.
  • Experience working independently as well as with multiple partners and on multiple projects, including a large state-level project.
  • Demonstrated success supporting pursuit of goals and outcomes.
  • Desire to learn and develop a network and skill sets in farm to school.

 

Preferred Experience and Skills – The ideal candidate will have the following skills/attributes:

  • A passion for educational systems as well as farm to school challenges, needs, and key players in North Carolina.
  • Knowledgeable of food systems and farm to school generally, the impacts of racial inequities and strategies for building Racial Equity in Food Systems/Farm to School, and of the North Carolina context in particular.

 

To apply, please visit https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/145263

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, political affiliation, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Please see the job posting for information about how to request disability-related accommodations during the application and interview process.

 

Friday, June 11, 2021

Job Posting - FoodCorps Michigan Program Coordinator

Colleagues:

 

FoodCorps Michigan is seeking to fill a Program Coordinator with a start date of August 2, 2021. Please forward this position description to any interested person. The job is based in Detroit.


Primary Responsibilities:

Service Member Training, Management, and Support

  • Building and leading a statewide cohort of service members
  • Offering coaching to achieve programmatic quality and fidelity
  • Developing strong relationships with site supervisors and school and district contacts to ensure service members receive appropriate direction and support
  • Collaborating with the Program Director, and state and local leaders to coordinate and deliver state orientation and monthly formal or informal trainings and gatherings for service members during the program year. These gatherings will be remote until safe to gather in person.


Program Management and Administration

  • Conducting a minimum of 2 in-person site visits with each service member in the state to observe programming, deliver feedback, support improvements, and celebrate successes
  • Ensuring that AmeriCorps members, sites, and schools are meeting FoodCorps and AmeriCorps compliance requirements
  • Using data related to program quality, compliance, and satisfaction to drive communication and programmatic adjustments
  • Serving as the lead for service member recruitment efforts and providing administrative and operations support as needed
  • Evaluating the performance and alignment of existing sites
  • Supporting the planning of visits with potential donors


Skills of the Ideal Candidate:

  • Self-starter, with the ability to collaborate and build a strong rapport with team members both in-person and remotely required
  • Previous experience leading and coaching groups of volunteers, service members, or employees required
  • Skilled at developing and maintaining relationships, including service members, service site partners, and school administrators
  • Ability to plan and facilitate high-quality trainings and other professional learning experiences
  • Ability to take direction, self-advocate, and exhibit leadership in relationships across the organization
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Comfort and competence in working with people from a diversity of backgrounds, and a passion for incorporating the needs and desires of the community you serve.
  • Comfort using online and social media platforms for communication, organization, and collaboration
  • Knowledge of FoodCorps or other national service programs and/or familiarity with school or district contexts, and/or farm to school, garden, or nutrition education programming


How to Apply:

To be considered, submit your résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements through our hiring site at http://foodcorps.hiringthing.com/. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.


FoodCorps pays salaries that are competitive with nonprofits of our budget size and geographic location and offers generous vacation and medical benefits, 401(k) matching, professional development funds, and a sabbatical policy. This position is a Coordinator-level role with an annual salary range of $42,000-47,000.


Kind regards,

 

Dale


--

Addell "Dale" Austin Anderson | FoodCorps
Michigan Program Director

440 Burroughs Street
Suite 306
Detroit, MI 48202

addell.anderson@foodcorps.org
FoodCorps.org
Cell: 313-409-6684


MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Fw: (F2ECE FIG:2020-21 All Participants) You're Invited: NFSN Virtual Community Gathering on June 23




From: Lacy Stephens (Basecamp) <notifications@3.basecamp.com>
Sent: Monday, June 7, 2021 3:09 PM
To: Shedd, Meagan <mshedd@msu.edu>
Subject: (F2ECE FIG:2020-21 All Participants) You're Invited: NFSN Virtual Community Gathering on June 23
 
Shifting Power, Cultivating Justice: National Farm to School Network Gathering
Wednesday, June 23
A racially just and equitable food system is possible – but it's going to take all of us to get us there.You're invited! Join National Farm to School Network on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 for a virtual Community Gathering to dig into how farm to school – the ways kids eat, grow, and learn about food in schools and early care and education settings – can be part of the work to shift power and cultivate justice in our food system. Gain new tools and skills for shifting power in your work, learn from movement leaders who are building power through community food efforts, and connect with fellow food systems partners from across the country as we grow stronger together.Join one or all of the sessions and invite your friends! Registration is free and open to all, no prior experience with farm to school needed. Learn more and register below or on our website at www.farmtoschool.org/gathering. This gathering is inspired by National Farm to School Network's Call to Action: By 2025, 100% of communities will hold power in a racially just food system. 1-2:30pm ET

Training Session: Shifting Power in the Food System To achieve a racially just food system, we must shift power to the communities and people who have been marginalized, exploited, and excluded from the current system. But what does shifting power mean, and what does it look like in practice? This interactive training session will offer strategies, tools, and approaches for shifting power in your thinking, organizational culture, and the day-in, day-out efforts of community food systems work. No matter your role, everyone eats, and everyone can contribute to shifting power in the food system. Come discover and share your place in the work of shifting power to cultivate a racially just food system.Register for this session 3-4:30pm ET

Movement Leader Perspectives: Local and Values-Based Procurement from Farm to CafeteriaChild nutrition programs exercise collective purchasing power on a massive scale. Pre-pandemic, the National School Lunch Program alone invested $14.2 billion annually to serve 29.6 million lunches every school day. K-12 school meals, early care and education (ECE) nutrition, after-school snacks, and summer meals are an opportunity for every community to express their values through purchasing priorities and to shift power in the food system as a whole. On this panel, hear from food systems experts and organizers about their insights and experiences in how farm to cafeteria connections can shift power in communities. Panelists include:
> Jennifer Gaddis, associate professor of Civil Society and Community Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of The Labor of Lunch: Why We Need Real Food and Real Jobs in American Public Schools
> Jose Oliva, Campaigns Director with HEAL Food Alliance
> Chang Vue, Capacity Building Director with Hmong American Farmers Association Register for this session 3-4:30pm ET

Movement Leader Perspectives: Farm to School Strategies for Building PowerFarm to school can be an effective strategy for shifting power and advancing racial equity in the food system when communities come together to implement practices that affirm cultural and community values and center the voices and desires of people who have been marginalized, exploited, and excluded from the current system. On this panel, hear from experienced farm to school and farm to ECE practitioners about how food and food education initiatives are building power in their communities. Panelists include:
> Fredando "Farmer Fredo" Jackson, farmer and Executive Director of Flint River Fresh located in southwest Georgia
> Maya Marie, creator of Deep Routes: An Afro-Indigenous Culinary Curriculum
> Alexis Harrison and Junior Duplessis, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
> Moderated by Sommer Sibilly-Brown, Founder and Executive Director of Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition
Register for this session 7-8pm ET

Film Screening & Discussion: Food Crossing LinesAdvocacy, community organizing, and stakeholder collaboration are key to making equitable food systems a reality. The farm stand at Little Ones Learning Center in Clayton County, Georgia – where the child well-being index among the lowest of the metro Atlanta counties – is a prime example. In this mini-documentary screening, learn how the Little Lions Farm Stand, housed at Little Ones Learning Center and supported by the Hands, Heart, and Soul Project, overcame legal and regulatory obstacles to make sustainable and organic produce – grown onsite at the community garden and sourced from local farms – accessible to their community. After viewing the documentary, key stakeholders from the Little Lions Farm Stand will share their perspectives and answer questions. This is a great opportunity to learn how local organizing and a commitment to change can shift power and cultivate justice, one community food project at a time.Register for this session

BONUS!
The first 70 people to register for this Film Screening & Discussion session will receive a FREE box of farm to school goodies! This box includes a Small Bites Adventure Club Farm to Home Explorer Kit and special National Farm to School Network swag!
Help us spread the word! Forward this email to a friend, share on your social media feeds, and let us know you're coming by RSVP'ing on our Facebook Event! Find more information about this virtual Community Gathering at www.farmtoschool.org/gathering.Have questions? Email us at calltoaction@farmtoschool.org.   This training event has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this training event do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 
42e72916cdb89c4938b5e26c

Monday, June 7, 2021

FW: Exciting partnership opportunity for communities from Tufts University!

Greetings,

Please see below for a national opportunity called Catalyzing Communities, part of the ChildObesity180 effort of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. See below for more information, including about the Request for Partnership and an informational webinar coming up this week on June 9.

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

(she, her, hers)

Farm to Institution Specialist

Coordinator, Michigan Farm to Institution Network

Core Partner, National Farm to School Network

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

matts@msu.edu | 517.432.0310

foodsystems.msu.edu | cultivatemichigan.org | mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

In response to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems team members are working remotely and refraining from travel or attending in-person meetings. Our response time may be a bit slower than normal due to family and community responsibilities. 

 

 

 


Date: June 3, 2021 at 5:06:37 PM EDT
Subject: Exciting partnership opportunity for communities from Tufts University!

 

Catalyzing Communities, an initiative of ChildObesity180, is seeking three new partners in communities across the United States for a two-year project focused on creating healthy environments where all children can thrive. We are a group of researchers, scientists, and communication experts based at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University. We seek to partner with multi-sector, community-based coalitions or organizations that are working to advance equitable child obesity prevention. 

 

Our partnership can energize work and amplify impact of community-based coalitions or organizations in of the following ways: 

  • Invigorate coalition engagement – new or renewed engagement from coalition members sharing fresh perspectives to come up with exciting ideas for future work.  
  • Positive community impact – identification of high-impact, evidence-based strategies primed to succeed within the community context. 
  • A new way of thinking – capacity building and ongoing technical support for systems thinking and equitable obesity prevention strategies.   
  • Networking and connections – an opportunity to join a cohort of likeminded coalitions and organizations from across the US. 
  • Financial support – supportive funding for community partners, research participants, and access to catalyst grant funds for program initiatives.  

 

We hope you will join us at 2 PM on Wednesday June 9, 2021 for an informational webinar to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  To register, click here. 

 

Our Request for Partnership application closes on Friday June 25, 2021. For more details and a link to the application, please visit our website: catalyzingcommunities.org/rfp.  

 

Please share this opportunity with friends or colleagues who might be interested. 


Thank you very much for your consideration and we hope to hear from you soon!  

 

Sincerely, 

 

Julie Appel, MS 

Senior Program Manager 

Catalyzing Communities Initiative 

catalyzingcommunities.org 

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy | Tufts University 

617.636.6790 

she/her/hers 

 

Friday, June 4, 2021

Virtual training from Edible Schoolyard Project

Sharing this free, virtual training--you can pick and choose the events you attend!

Virtual training to support edible educators (from NFSN Newsletter)
June 14-25
The Edible Schoolyard Project (ESP) is hosting their second Summer Training at Home, June 14, 2021 – June 25, 2021. This year's virtual professional development sessions will be open to all, and completely free to attend. The ESP team has planned activities that invite participants to create, cook, taste, and share experiences. Participants will leave this event series feeling invigorated and prepared to do the work of supporting youth to learn about food in a way that allows them to live and build a healthier and more just future. Learn more.

Meagan K. Shedd, PhD
Assistant Professor, Farm to Early Care and K-12 Education
Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University
Department of Community Sustainability | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
480 Wilson Rd, Room 309 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
517.432.4525 | 
mshedd@msu.edu

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu


Wednesday, June 2, 2021

The end of another school year—new beginnings for farm to school

June 2021
Dear Michigan Farm to School subscribers,

June marks the beginning of summer and vacations for some, as well as graduations and the promise of new adventures. For those in year-round settings, continued learning experiences, innovative procurement practices using Michigan products throughout the summer, and gardening opportunities abound!
News
“Flint Kids Cook” Supports Healthy Eating for Families
The culinary director for the Flint Farmers’ Market, Sean Gartland, and Sarah Egan, a registered dietitian, are leading a virtual cooking series called Flint Kids Cook to teach children how to make healthy food. Using favorite foods like macaroni and cheese, Sean and Sarah show families how to prepare recipes from scratch with healthy and cost-effective ingredients that can also mitigate the effects of lead.

Nebraska Passes Farm to School Legislation
Nebraska lawmakers unanimously passed legislation for the creation of a farm to school program, including a program administration position. Nebraska farm to school will include hands-on learning for students, as well as gardening, cooking demos, and farm visits. The program will also support networking for farmers, schools, public agencies, and nonprofits.

Farm to School Act of 2021 Introduced with Bipartisan Support
The Farm to School Act of 2021 expands funding for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program, which will support students, schools, and farmers, particularly those in high-need student populations and racially diverse communities. The Act also aims to help communities build back after the pandemic.

Events
Driving Sustainable Farm to School Initiatives Through the Farm to School Institute Model
June 8
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. ET

Since 2010, Vermont FEED has hosted the Northeast Farm to School Institute, a unique year-long professional learning opportunity for school, district, and early childhood teams to build robust, sustainable farm to school programs. Join this special webinar to learn about this impactful training model, the evidence base behind its design, the key components of farm to school sustainability, and how the Institute is being adapted across the country.

National Farm to School Network Virtual Gathering: Shifting Power, Cultivating Justice
June 23
1-5 p.m. ET

National Farm to School Network (NFSN) is planning a virtual community gathering and you’re invited! In the spirit of their Call to Action, this community gathering will be centered on learning, connecting, strategizing, and committing to action for shifting power through farm to school to cultivate justice.

Green Schools Conference
June 28-29

Annually, this conference brings together nearly 1,000 attendees who are critical to advancing green schools for all children—those who lead, design, build, and teach in schools around the world. The conference will address topics such as design for sustainability, education and social equity, healthy schools and COVID-19 response, empowering student leadership, achieving climate commitments, and much more.

National Children and Youth Garden Symposium
July 7-9

The National Children and Youth Garden Symposium 2021 will take place as a virtual symposium with both live, interactive sessions (July 7-9) and prerecorded sessions for on-demand viewing. This event is for educators, landscape architects and designers, staff at botanic gardens, non-profits, and more from around the country who are working to engage children with gardens and the natural world.

Save the Date! Advancing Racial Equity in the Michigan Farm to ECE Network
July 12, 2-4 p.m. EST
July 26, 2-4 p.m. EST

The Michigan Farm to ECE Network will host a workshop for its members using a racial equity assessment tool to build and sustain a Network environment for equity and plan work that reduces disparities and inequities. The Network is encouraging participation on both dates if possible!
Resources
Early Childhood Health Equity Landscape Project
This new suite of resources aims to help policymakers, advocates, and communities understand how different initiatives employ cross-sector partnerships to improve health equity for young children and their families. An interactive map presents information about 143 initiatives and allows users to sort these initiatives by state, health and well-being focus, service sectors, funding sources, and age groups served.

Children Thrive Outside: A New Day for Outdoor Play in Childcare
National Wildlife Federation and New America sponsored this recorded webinar featuring expert speakers summarizing research and sharing strategies for creating successful outdoor spaces in early care and education environments that support outdoor play.

How Schools and Early Care Sites Served as Hubs for Food Access During COVID-19
The National Farm to School Network shares how early care and education sites and schools in five states connected to increase food access during the pandemic, with prompts for how these models can be leveraged as access points for food distribution in the future.

Action Brief: The Power of Student Voice & Choice
FoodCorps’ new report, The Power of Student Voice & Choice: Integrating Whole Child Into Food Education, highlights why now is a key moment to ground education in human development by taking a whole child approach to learning. This brief is primarily intended for anyone working with students in a school environment—particularly in the classroom, garden, and cafeteria.

Resources from Natural Learning Initiative to Promote Natural Learning Environments
North Carolina State University’s Natural Learning Initiative includes multiple resources for the promotion of natural learning environments. A free 12-step gardening activity guide, informational sheets, and a national plant database are only a few of the available items on their extensive website.

Pint Size Produce from Renewing the Countryside
This "activity suite” for farm to ECE includes an activity plan, family handouts, and informational fliers about produce and products grown in the Midwest. Available in either PDF or PowerPoint, ECEs can download these resources and modify the formats as needed.

Opportunities
Countrywide Survey on the State of School Food Post-COVID
Given this past year of COVID, the Chef Ann Foundation (CAF) is looking at ways to support school food professionals across the country. As they work with partners, they want to understand what you’re serving and where you’re at to help provide solutions. All information will be analyzed anonymously by CAF, and school district names won’t be shared with anyone.

Request for Proposals: USDA Local Food Promotion Program
Deadline: June 21

USDA's Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate, and expand local and regional food business enterprises that help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products. Grants can be used for the planning stages of establishing or expanding a local and regional food business enterprise or to improve or expand a food business that supports locally and regionally produced agricultural products and food system infrastructure.

Jobs
FoodCorps Position in Petoskey, MI
Deadline: Rolling

The application portal for 2021-2022 FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Members is open and Groundwork Center in Petoskey is looking for one more FoodCorps service member to join their team in August. Members for the program year must, at a minimum, serve 1,700 allowable hours between August 9, 2021 and July 8, 2022.

About Michigan Farm to School

Farm to School centers around efforts to serve local foods in school and early care and education settings. We share ideas, tools and resources to support a range of efforts, from school garden programming to farmer visits and field trips.

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