Michigan Farm to School Updates | | Stay informed on the latest news, resources, and events! | | Healthy School Meals for All Story Call-Out! | | The American Heart Association is collecting personal stories to help illustrate why the Healthy School Meals for All program matters so much to students, families, and schools across Michigan. Please help build this collection of stories by sharing the link below with those who may want to share their experience. | | | Welcoming our new network coordinator! | | | Sending out a big hello from Julie Lehman, MSU Center for Regional Food System's new Farm to Youth Network Coordinator! In her role, Julie will coordinate activities and communications for this special MI Farm to School community. She also serves as Michigan's lead for the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub regranting program.
Julie comes to MSU CRFS with 20 years of experience working with youth, gardens, community development and education. She holds dual degrees from Michigan State University in communications and education. Julie's experience stems from her time growing up on her family's apple orchard in mid-Michigan, from teaching at a PreK - 5th grade Title-One school garden in northern California, and from over a decade supporting Greater Lansing Food Bank's Garden Project.
As she gets settled in, please share your questions, thoughts, and ideas at any time by emailing lehmanju@msu.edu. | | Michigan Department of Education’s Tuesday at 2: Procurement Series
Join School Nutrition Programs staff for an informal 30-minute webinar on May 20. Staff will provide a brief description of the procurement topic, and the remainder of the time is open for Q & A. Information on the upcoming Tuesday at 2 webinars is linked here. | | | Indigenous Connections from Classroom to Cafeteria
On May 28, 2pm ET, the SGSO Network will be presenting this engaging and insightful webinar on how to build a program that honors indigenous stewardship throughout the garden, classroom, and cafeteria. In this webinar, learn from Hardin School District, MT, and how they’ve incorporated community feedback to create curriculum highlighting local tribes and events reflecting ancestral community gatherings. | | | 10 Cents a Meal Program and Application Trainings!
Whether you are thinking about participating in the 10 Cents a Meal program for the first time or are an experienced grantee, you are invited to come learn how 10 Cents a Meal works, how to source Michigan-grown produce from local suppliers, and what is needed to participate. Bring your laptop if you would like help with completing your application during the session or just bring your questions. Attendance is free; however, all attendees are required to register.
- Escanaba – June 10, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Bay City – June 16, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Kalamazoo – June 23, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Traverse City – June 25, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Fruitport – June 26, 2025 9-11am Register
- Mason/Ingham – August 7, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Macomb - August 14, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Flint – August 18, 2025 2-4pm Register
- Virtual training – TBD
| | The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is moving to December 2-5, 2025 in Albuquerque, NM. The momentum for farm to institution work has never been more critical. Mark your calendar, spread the word, and get ready for a transformative experience!
Registration opens June 2025. | | Resources, News, and Inspiration | | | Chef Ann Bulk Milk Grant - Chef Ann’s Bulk Milk program helps schools transition from serving milk in single-serve containers to serving milk using bulk dispensers and reusable cups. Applications are now open! Apply by June 26, 2025.
Lake MI School Food System Innovation Hub Grants - Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub will be offering Spark and Innovation Collaborative grants between $30,000 and $500,000 for districts to innovate and improve school meals. Now is a great time to brainstorm and connect to the Michigan State Lead Team to learn more about the Innovation Hub, grants, and resources available.
Harvest of the Month - Looking for educational inspiration to serve local foods? Share fun videos in your classroom and download other free resources highlighting various foods through this resource by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.
| | CULTIVATE MICHIGAN INSPIRATION | | | | Beets! Cultivate Michigan's Spring Featured Food Explore Michigan beets sourcing tips, resources, and recipes to elevate your Farm to School offerings! | | | 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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