New Resource | Doubling Investment and Growing Impact: 10 Cents a Meal 2023-2024 Evaluation Results - Evaluation Summary

Explore the impact of 10 Cents a Meal during the 2023-2024 grant year

Doubling Investment and Growing Impact:  10 Cents a Meal 2023-2024 Evaluation Results - Evaluation Summary

10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms (10 Cents a Meal) is a state-funded local food purchasing incentive grant program that reimburses 50% of the cost of fresh or minimally processed Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans, used in meals and educational activities for children. Though 10 Cents a Meal remains unfunded at the state level for the 2025–2026 program year, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is proud to share the latest Evaluation Summary of the 2023-2024 10 Cents a Meal Evaluation Results, with additional sections of the report to be published in the coming weeks.   During the 2023-2024 program year, 10 Cents a Meal had the highest participation by grantees and food suppliers to date in its history. This program reached an estimated total of 594,000 children, with 269 grantees in 66 out of 83 Michigan counties. Additionally, about 320 unique food suppliers, such as farms and food hubs, processors, and distributors, participated in getting Michigan-grown food onto grantees’ plates. As a result of this matching reimbursement grant program, grantees reported spending nearly $6 million on eligible Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans from a $3 million investment from the state. According to the Local Food Impact Calculator, this spending yields over $10.2 million in estimated economic impact for the state. Originally launched as a regional pilot in 2016-2017, 10 Cents a Meal was one of the first state-funded local food purchasing incentive programs in the U.S. Since then, the program has been administered by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), with support from core team members from the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and CRFS. Each program year, CRFS led the evaluation, with MDE’s support. Despite marking record reach, the future of 10 Cents a Meal is uncertain. This initial release of the Evaluation Summary for the 10 Cents a Meal program can be used to highlight the impact and opportunities made possible by this program.  Explore and share this resource with your networks!  https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/10-cents-a-meal-2023-2024-evaluation-results For more information, contact: May Tsupros, Director of Farm to Institution Programs, Assistant Director for CRFS Programs, tsupros1@msu.edu  Colleen Matts, Assistant Director for Strategy, CRFS, matts@msu.edu  This evaluation work was conducted with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and 10 Cents administrative funds for organizational partners.  Please help us spread the word Forward this message and share on social media. Please tag @MSUCRFS and @TenCentsMichigan on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Social Posts: The results are in! In 2023-2024, @TenCentsMichigan served the largest number of children in schools and childcare sites yet! This program granted funds to 269 sites and served an estimated 590,000+ Michigan children across the state. This program has supported schools and non-school sponsors to buy and serve more Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans to children. Check out the full evaluation summary to understand the impact of this matching grant program! https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/10-cents-a-meal-2023-2024-evaluation-results Thanks to a $3 million investment from the state, 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms generated nearly $6 million in purchases of Michigan grown fruit, vegetables, and dry beans, during the 2023-2024 program year. Grantees reported purchasing from over 320 food suppliers, including farms and food hubs, to fill the plates of children at schools, early care and education centers, and other sites. Explore the evaluation summary of the 2023-2024 program year here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/10-cents-a-meal-2023-2024-evaluation-results  EXPLORE foodsystems.msu.edu EMAIL CRFS@msu.edu CALL 517-353-3535 FOLLOW @MSUCRFS   FOODSYSTEMS.MSU.EDU 

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