Michigan Farm To School - Blog

November News Bites

2009-11-24T09:17:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

Sponsored by the Michigan Nutrition Network, Michigan State University Extension and the C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at MSU, the Michigan Junior Chef Competition was held at Michigan State University (MSU) in September to promote healthy eating and Michigan foods. A competition summary and Flash slideshow are now posted online at the MNN website. The recipes from the student-designed school lunch meals and a short video of the competition are coming soon!

“Small distributors focus on getting local produce to state’s restaurants, schools and grocery stores” Check out this story from the Detroit Free Press about Locavore Food Distributors based at Detroit Eastern Market. Locavore works with a number of schools in Michigan and Chicago to help get local produce into school meals programs!

“Minnesota farm to school efforts catch eye of USDA Deputy Secretary Merrigan: School districts around the state embracing Farm to School program” USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan toured St. Paul Schools’ commissary to get a look at the district’s Farm to School program. St. Paul Public Schools purchased over 100,000 pounds of local produce in just the first few weeks of the school year! Read the attached PDF press release, and check out this related story - “USDA: St. Paul Public Schools ‘Pioneers’ in Farm-to-School Programs.”

“Local high schoolers cooking up change for their cafeterias” 15 Chicago public high schools competed in Cooking Up Change, a healthy cooking contest which challenged teams to create nutritious school lunches on a tight budget with limited ingredients and prep work. Check out a video about the competition!

“Spotlight on Food Service: Chartwells' Bob Bloomer redefines "fresh" for Chicago Public Schools” Bob Bloomer, regional Vice President with Chartwells in Chicago, is working with farmers and processors to extend availability of local products through flash-freezing.

“Vilsack still backs nutrition funding” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reaffirmed the administration’s plans to ask Congress for an additional $1 billion per year for child nutrition programs like the National School Lunch Program.

“USDA Backs Rewarding Schools Serving Healthy Foods” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that schools that serve more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to pupils should see higher federal support rates than those serving meals that are less healthy.

EVENTS

Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

December 8-10, 2009

DeVos Place Convention Center and Amway Grand Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI

Check out the website for more info.

Farm To School Workshop for Farmers

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

Kent County Extension Office

Grand Rapids, MI

Please find the brochure and registration form attached in PDF format. Please register by December 4.

For more information, contact Kendra Wills, Land Use Educator, at (616) 336-2028.

Green Initiatives in School Wellness Webinar

Sponsored by the USDA Food & Nutrition Service, Midwest Region

Tuesday, December 15th from 2 PM – 3:30 PM CST

Participation is free, but registration is required by Friday, December 11th.

Click here to register: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17fb9g417fb

See attached flyer for more information!

2009 Michigan Family Farms Conference

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Lakeview High School, Battle Creek, MI

See the brochure at the MIFFS website

Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference

Saturday, January 30, 2009 with keynote speaker, Melissa Hemmelgarn, on Friday, January 29th

Grayling High School in Grayling, MI

Find more information on the conference website.

Choices 2010, Collaboration: There's Room at the Table

Wednesday, March 10 -11, 2010 in East Lansing, Michigan.

Registration opens Jan. 11, 2010

For more information, visit http://web7.anr.msu.edu/choices/Home.aspx

Farm to School: Setting the Table for Wellness

Sponsored by the Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI)

Monday, March 15, 2010 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, MI.

For conference info visit localdifference.org/farmtoschool

See Save the Date attached for more event information!

RESOURCES

CFSC’s National Farm to College Program is happy to announce that they have redesigned their website,www.farmtocollege.org. The site is a clearinghouse of resources and information for both new and existing farm to college projects with profiles of 140 projects from around the country.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

New guidance from USDA on Geographic Preference for "Unprocessed Products"

2009-11-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I have good news to share!

The USDA has revised the definition of “unprocessed products” that may be purchased by schools with geographic preference (which means that school food service directors can specify for and “prefer” locally-grown or –raised agricultural products in their procurement processes). As the attached memo explains, unprocessed products which “retain their inherent character” may now include those products that have been cooled, refrigerated, frozen, peeled, sliced, diced, cut, chopped, shucked, ground, dried/dehydrated, washed, cold pasteurized, vacuum packed, bagged, butchered, and pasteurized. This greatly expands the opportunities to get local products in usable forms for school food service!

The definition of unprocessed products in this memo will be effective until the final rule is drafted. I’ll be sure to share that with you when I get notice of it.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

FW: Meet the Specialty Food Producers Meet & Greet Event - Nov 11th

2009-11-05T12:30:00.001-08:00

Greetings all,

This is just a reminder to register for this Meet the Specialty Food Producers Meet & Greet at the Making It in Michigan Conference sponsored by the MSU Product Center. The Marketplace and Meet & Greet are free of charge! Please RSVP to me by this Friday, November 6^th. (Apologies for cross-posting!)

Best,

Colleen

Hi all,

Please see a notice below and attached flyer for details on an up-coming Meet & Greet event designed to introduce Michigan institutional food service directors and buyers from colleges/universities, hospitals, K-12 schools, etc. to clients of the MSU Product Center, who produce Michigan specialty foods. Please feel free to pass this along to any institutional food service contacts you may have.

Thanks,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

MEET THE SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCERS!

This Meet & Greet event will give Michigan institutional food service directors

and buyers a chance to meet clients of

the MSU Product Center who produce Michigan specialty food products.

If you are an institutional food service director or buyer

who is ready to incorporate locally-produced specialty food

products into your institution’s menus,

join us for this event and get connected!

Where: Making It In Michigan Conference

Sponsored by the MSU Product Center

Exhibit Hall at the Lansing Center
333 E Michigan Ave Lansing, MI 48933

When: Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

1-2:30 pm during the “General Marketplace”

Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 by Friday, November 6th if you plan to attend.

The Marketplace and the Meet & Greet event are free of charge.

For more conference information and vendors, please see www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu.

FW: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan to Host 2nd 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Facebook Chat on Nov. 5

2009-11-02T07:51:00.001-08:00

Hi all,
Please see the notice below about the second Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food chat which will focus on Farm to School!

Best,
Colleen

________________________________________
From: Barham, James [James.Barham@ams.usda.gov]
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:06 AM
To: COMFOOD@elist.tufts.edu
Subject: [COMFOOD:] Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan to Host 2nd 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Facebook Chat on Nov. 5

AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN TO HOST 2ND 'KNOW YOUR FARMER,
KNOW YOUR FOOD' FACEBOOK CHAT ON NOV. 5

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen
Merrigan will host her second Facebook chat about the 'Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. The
topic of this chat will be farm to school, which involves getting and
using fresh produce and other farm products from local and regional
farmers for use in local schools. The effort not only supports
increasing economic opportunities for local farmers but also helps
school children make healthy food choices.

The 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative emphasizes the need
for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and
consumers. The effort builds on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides for
increases and flexibility for USDA programs in an effort to promote
local foods.

Merrigan hosted her first Facebook chat on the initiative on Oct. 1.
Questions were submitted from people across the nation about beginning
farmer and rancher programs, interest in school nutrition, food safety
and supporting local and regional food systems. During the 30 minute
session, more than 115 questions and comments were submitted.

Details are available at www.usda.gov/live and people can submit a
question in advance of the chat or watch the conversation on the USDA
website.

The website, at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer, features social media tools
to help focus the public conversation about farming and food, while
engaging American agriculture and linking producers to customers. The
public will be able to send their stories, ideas or videos to the 'Know
Your Farmer, Know Your Food' team at knowyourfarmer@usda.gov . The
public can become a fan of USDA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USDA.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or
call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
USDA News
oc.news@usda.gov
202 720-4623

Farm to School News

2009-10-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

Greetings all,

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

“New School Meals Nutrition Requirements Recommended ” School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children, a new report by the Institute of Medicine, recommends new nutrient targets and standards for menu planning that would bring school meals in line with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Dietary Reference Intakes to replace the outdated 1995 nutrition standards.

“Kids Eat Few Fruits, Veggies” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published findings that fewer than 10% of U.S. high school students are eating the combined recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.

As the current Child Nutrition Act is up for reauthorization next year, the One Tray coalition is aiming to increase the number of Farm to School programs by demanding mandatory federal funding through this reauthorization.

“Food Fit for Kids” As Americans are further removed from the sources of their food, the importance of Farm to School is increasing dramatically as children in this generation are having to face more cases of obesity and diabetes from poor food choices. Check out this article from Michigan Country Lines, which features Michigan Farm to School!

“Fixing Lunch” See how Tony Geraci, the food-service director for Baltimore Public Schools, and other school food-service directors around the nation are managing to get healthier and local choices into school cafeterias.

“American Meat Institute Discusses Meatless Mondays” Listen to this related radio about Baltimore Public Schools and Baltimore Public School officials' decision to move to "Meatless Mondays”.

“Farm To School: A Conversation with Marion Kalb” Marion Kalb, Program Director of the Farm to School program, part of the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC), talks about the benefits to school kids, farmers, and rural communities when fresh, and local food is brought into the school lunch program for K-12 kids. Check out the video!

“Vermont FEED receives $476,000 from the Centers for Disease Control to Advance Farm to School programs encouraging Healthy Food Choices” Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) was instrumental in securing this funding that comes after a recent U.S. government study released showing that most Americans don't eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables.

RESOURCES

The University of California, Berkeley has created a Nutrition Education in School Food Service Tool Kit that aims to take advantage of the potential of school food service settings to positively influence children’s eating – both at school and at home. Check it out!

Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability by Michael K. Stone from the Center for Ecoliteracy portrays the growing sustainability movement in K-12 education, showcasing inspiring stories of public, independent, and charter schools across the country. Click here to learn more about the book!

http://www.kidsgardening.com/ offers many great tools at for teachers and parents regarding youth gardening. The “Classroom Exchange” portion of the website is a place where people can go and post information about what their school is doing but also ask for help.

“Begin Farming Ohio Website Launched to Assist Beginning Farmers” For the first time Ohio's new and beginning farmers have an entire website dedicated to their unique information needs and designed to make it easier for them to find the services and resources they seek.

EVENTS

2009 Michigan Community and School Gardener Networking Meeting

When: Saturday, November 7th, 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm

Location: Eastern Michigan University's College of Business in Ypsilanti, MI (300 W. Michigan Ave, Gary Owen Building, Ypsilanti, MI 48197)

What: CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, Greening of Detroit, Growing Hope, Garden Project, and Ruth Mott Foundation-Applewood invite you to discuss the innovative community gardening network currently taking place around Michigan and Northern Ohio and facilitate the development of communication and resource networks between groups. The day will include lunch, opportunities to learn, network and share experiences.

Event Information (PDF)

Directions

You can also RSVP for this event online or by phone to Anne Scott at (517) 353-0751.

If you are interested in assisting to plan, facilitate, or present at this event, please email directly to communityschoolgardeners@gmail.com

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

Meet the Specialty Food Producers Meet & Greet Event - Nov 11th

2009-10-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Thanks,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

MEET THE SPECIALTY FOOD PRODUCERS!

This Meet & Greet event will give Michigan institutional food service directors

and buyers a chance to meet clients of

the MSU Product Center who produce Michigan specialty food products.

If you are an institutional food service director or buyer

who is ready to incorporate locally-produced specialty food

products into your institution’s menus,

join us for this event and get connected!

Where: Making It In Michigan Conference

Sponsored by the MSU Product Center

Exhibit Hall at the Lansing Center
333 E Michigan Ave Lansing, MI 48933

When: Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

1-2:30 pm during the “General Marketplace”

Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 by Friday, November 6th if you plan to attend.

The Marketplace and the Meet & Greet event are free of charge.

For more conference information and vendors, please see www.makingitinmichigan.msu.edu.

Farm to School News

2009-10-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Greetings all,

Here are this month's Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

"Agriculture Secretary Supports Direct Certification as Way to Streamline School Meal Application Process" USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently told a children's health conference that he supports "direct certification" for child nutrition programs, which would remove paperwork barriers for children receiving free and reduced-price school meals.

"Free Breakfast Program Enters Second Year in Michigan School District" Belding School District in Michigan began offering free breakfast to all students last year and is continuing the program for a second year because the program has proved itself to be successful as students were more eager to learn in the mornings, fewer discipline problems among the students, and better attendance

"Michigan School District Offers Free Breakfast Wins School Breakfast Challenge"
Manton Consolidated Schools in Michigan won a silver award (and $2,500) from the state's Department of Education in recognition of student participation in the school breakfast program from their over 700% increase in breakfast attendance from average of 75 students in May 2008 to 570 students in May 2009.

"Students Say It Best: 'We Need Better School Food' " Check out this student made video calling for better food in schools!

"Lunch Ladies and School Lunch Programs" If you didn't catch it, check out this interview with Jean Ronnei, Director of Nutrition Services for the St. Paul (MN) Public Schools, on The Splendid Table radio program this past week.

EVENTS

This is a reminder to all Food Service Directors attending the up-coming School Nutrition Association of Michigan conference in Lansing: if you are interested and available to attend the tour of MSU's Student Organic Farm (SOF), please RSVP to matts@msu.edu by Thursday, October 15^th. Please include your name, your school or district name, and your email address. Before the tour, I will send details and directions by email to all that RSVP.

OPPORTUNITIES

The University of Minnesota Extension is looking for a full-time Farm to School Extension Coordinator. This position will provide facilitation, and statewide coordination, to leverage Farm to School-related efforts associated with the University of Minnesota Extension Family Development programs along with the University of Minnesota's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Please see attachment for more the job description.

Hidden Valley Love Your Veggies Grant Program
This grant program seeks to increase access and consumption of fresh fruits and veggies in school lunchrooms. Applicants must be an elementary school; $10,000 awards will be based on need, innovation, and sustainable impact. The deadline for applications is 11/6/2009. For more info, go to www.loveyourveggies.com/guidelines.php.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

FW: October Listerv

2009-10-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

Greetings all,

Here are this month’s Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

“Agriculture Secretary Supports Direct Certification as Way to Streamline School Meal Application Process” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack recently told a children's health conference that he supports "direct certification" for child nutrition programs, which would remove paperwork barriers for children receiving free and reduced-price school meals.

“Free Breakfast Program Enters Second Year in Michigan School District” Belding School District in Michigan began offering free breakfast to all students last year and is continuing the program for a second year because the program has proved itself to be successful as students were more eager to learn in the mornings, fewer discipline problems among the students, and better attendance

“Michigan School District Offers Free Breakfast Wins School Breakfast Challenge”
Manton Consolidated Schools in Michigan won a silver award (and $2,500) from the state's Department of Education in recognition of student participation in the school breakfast program from their over 700% increase in breakfast attendance from average of 75 students in May 2008 to 570 students in May 2009.

“Students Say It Best: ‘We Need Better School Food’ ” Check out this student made video calling for better food in schools!

“Lunch Ladies and School Lunch Programs” If you didn’t catch it, check out this interview with Jean Ronnei, Director of Nutrition Services for the St. Paul (MN) Public Schools, on The Splendid Table radio program this past week.

EVENTS

This is a reminder to all Food Service Directors attending the up-coming School Nutrition Association of Michigan conference in Lansing: if you are interested and available to attend the tour of MSU’s Student Organic Farm (SOF), please RSVP to matts@msu.edu by this Friday, October 9^th. Please include your name, your school or district name, and your email address. Before the tour, I will send details and directions by email to all that RSVP.

OPPORTUNITIES

The University of Minnesota Extension is looking for a full-time Farm to School Extension Coordinator. This position will provide facilitation, and statewide coordination, to leverage Farm to School-related efforts associated with the University of Minnesota Extension Family Development programs along with the University of Minnesota’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships. Please see attachment for more the job description.

Hidden Valley Love Your Veggies Grant Program
This grant program seeks to increase access and consumption of fresh fruits and veggies in school lunchrooms. Applicants must be an elementary school; $10,000 awards will be based on need, innovation, and sustainable impact. The deadline for applications is 11/6/2009. For more info, go to www.loveyourveggies.com/guidelines.php.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

MSU Student Organic Farm Tour for Food Service Directors on Oct 16th

2009-09-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

Greetings school food service directors,

As many of you will be in Lansing for the up-coming School Nutrition Association of Michigan conference, we thought we'd set up a tour of MSU's Student Organic Farm (SOF) so you can take advantage of the opportunity while you're in town if you'd like.

The SOF has six hoophouses, which are passive solar greenhouses, for year-round crop production and trains farmers on organic and hoophouse production and marketing. As part of their marketing, the SOF operates a year-round Community Supported Agriculture (CSA, or farm share) program and sells some greens and other vegetables to a couple of the residential dining halls on campus. In addition to crop production, the SOF also has bees for honey, chickens which provide eggs for sale at CSA pick up, and a few newly acquired hogs! Here's the link to their website if you'd like to learn more – www.msuorganicfarm.com.

I know many school food service directors have been interested in seeing the SOF, especially since more and more schools and communities are setting up gardens and hoophouses of their own, some with production intended for school food service. This would be a great time to see how it all works! Adam Montri, the SOF Outreach Coordinator, will be providing the tour for school food service directors on Friday, October 16^th at 2 pm. The SOF is located at 3291 College Rd in Holt, MI, which is about a 10 minute drive on the highway from the Lansing Center where the SNAM conference will be held.

If you are interested and available to attend the tour, please RSVP to me by Friday, October 9^th. Please include your name and your school or district name. Before the tour, I will send details and directions by email to all that RSVP.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

September Farm to School News

2009-09-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Here are this month's Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

"Grocery Store Tax Incentive Has Potential to Create More Than 3,000 Jobs and $852 Million in Sales" The Michigan Departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Treasury released information on Public Act 231, which amends the Commercial Rehabilitation Act, to support the development of grocery stores and improve access to fresh food through tax incentives.

"Montague Area Public Schools Celebrates Michigan Foods In Schools on September 21, 2009." September 21, 2009 was a Michigan Foods in Schools Day in all three Montague cafeterias. The lunch program that day had over 80% of the items served that were grown, produced or manufactured in Michigan. Please see press release attached.

Cornell University's Farm to School Research & Extension website is up and running again, check it out! It has some great publications and resources that are applicable to Michigan as well.

The Fruit and Veggie Quantity Recipe Cookbook from New Hampshire is available for your use online. The cookbook provides 30 fruit and vegetable based recipes that can be used in School Lunch Programs, School Breakfast Programs, and beyond. To view and download the cookbook, go to http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/NHP/fruitsandveggies and click on "Fruit and Veggie Recipes."

EVENTS

On October 5^th, 2009, the American Association of School Administrators/Healthy Communities Network is having a webinar, "Innovations for Food." In this webinar, speakers from across the country will share their experiences in transforming school food systems into healthier environments for students. All are welcome to participate. Please see the details below and visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=N3GYHi3KTQ_2bF3PDTfItC7A_3d_3d to register.

More competitors are needed for the Michigan Sustainable Stoup Competition statewide cooking competition in Grand Ledge, Michigan on October 25th. To compete, 75% of ingredients must be from Michigan as the goal of this competition is to promote local and sustainable agriculture. Please see attachments for more information about the competition and registration.

OPPORTUNITIES

Growing Hope in Ypsilanti is currently recruiting applicants for up to 6 National Service AmeriCorps*VISTA positions for 12-month terms of service, to begin in November 2009 and run through November 2010. Please see the attachments for the job description and how to apply.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

PRESS RELEASE: Michigan Junior Chef Competition to be held 9/19/09

2009-09-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MICHIGAN JUNIOR CHEF

By JOE VAILLANCOURT AND ELAINE BRISTOL

Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Nature Resources

September 17, 2009

East Lansing, Mich. – The first ever Michigan Junior Chef Competition, jointly hosted by Michigan Nutrition Network (MNN), Michigan State University Extension and the C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University (MSU), will bring seven teams from low-income high schools together to promote healthy and locally-grown foods.

The event, which begins at 10 a.m. on Sept. 19 at MSU’s Anthony Hall, is being held to encourage students to eat healthy, show-off their cooking skills, and highlight seasonal Michigan foods. The student-created dishes may serve as practical alternatives or new dishes for school food service meals and will be released statewide in a recipe book.

"One thing we know for sure is that when kids are involved in preparing their own food they are more likely to eat it,” said MNN Director Paul McConaughy. “The Michigan Junior Chef Competition gives us a way to get kids involved that is fun and focuses on school lunch."

The competition’s seven teams with three to four high school students per team, will make healthy culinary creations featuring ingredients from Michigan growers. The majority of local fruits and vegetables were purchased at Thursday’s Select Michigan Farmers Market at the Capitol.

The dishes must meet a variety of requirements, including at least two Michigan seasonal foods, at least two federal commodity foods and school meals nutrient standards. In addition to the cooking competition, students will present a creative healthy food marketing packing to the panel of judges, a requirement of the contest. Contest categories include best in show, best use of local ingredients and best nutrition and marketing packet with the top three teams receiving prizes.

The seven participating teams come from around the state, including Hillsdale, Benton Harbor, Coldwater, Iron River and Harbor Beach. All students represent schools which have at least 50 percent of the student body eligible for free and reduced-priced meals.

Aside from the cooking competition, students will tour sit in on a healthy cooking demonstration and will tour the MSU Dairy Store and MSU’s Student Organic Farm.

For more information, please contact Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu.

###

FW: USDA on Farm to School--Special Update

2009-09-18T09:17:00.001-07:00

Greetings all,

Here’s additional follow up information on the farm to school pieces of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative of the USDA.

More good news!

Enjoy the weekend,

Colleen

Subject: USDA on Farm to School--Special Update
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:26:53 -0700
From: deschmeyer@oxy.edu

USDA on Farm to School--Special Update

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, a new campaign by the USDA, was launched this week to help more Americans understand where their food comes from and how they can support local food economies in their communities. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack explains the initiative on YouTube (a must see)!

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

Announcements Re: Farm to School

Tuesday, September 14th was designated as Farm to Institution Day at USDA. As part of Farm to Institution Day, USDA made the following exciting and welcome announcements related to Farm to School:
1) BID LOCAL: The use of geographic preference in a bid will be expanded to include diced, chopped, and sliced product. The timeline on implementation is somewhat unclear and the exact language has not yet been developed. We'll keep you posted!
2) MONEY TO BUY LOCAL: USDA is encouraging the use of $50 million of existing Department of Defense Fresh funds to be targeted for the purchase of locally produced fruits and vegetables. Both USDA and DoD will be working on implementation of this program - the specifics are not yet defined.
3) FARM TO SCHOOL TACTICAL TEAMS: Per USDA, "Farm-To-School Tactical Teams will soon begin touring America’s school cafeterias to identify challenges and opportunities to help them transition to purchasing more locally grown foods. The team will work with local farmers, local and state authorities, school districts, and community partners to develop Farm-To-School projects and provide assistance on the best ways to buy more local produce for the National School Lunch Program. USDA will partner with schools, the U.S. Department of Education and non-profits to develop and enhance these resources." The team will be developed by an intra-agency group within the Department. They hope to begin visiting cafeterias in 2010, and they will release more specifics as the program develops.
4) MONEY FOR KITCHENS: The existing USDA Community Facilities Program supports the success of rural communities by providing loans and grants for the development of community kitchens. As explained in Deputy Merrigan's recent memo, producers are eligible for $31 million in remaining Recovery Act funds to build processing centers which will help grow their businesses in rural areas.These funds can be used to purchase school kitchen equipment in some cases. For more information go here: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/cf/cp.htm These funds are only available for a limited time, so act now!
The National Farm to School Network will send additional updates as information becomes available.
Check out the media covering Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.

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FW: [COMFOOD:] USDA's Farm to School announcement today as part of KYF, KYF launch

2009-09-16T13:00:00.001-07:00

Hi all,
I wanted to pass along some good news for farm to school as part of the
Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer initiative of the USDA! Please read on.
I'm sure there will be more details to come, which I'll share as I see
them.

Best,
Colleen

________________________________
From: Debra Eschmeyer [debraeschmeyer@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 12:45 PM
To: comfood@elist.tufts.edu
Subject: [COMFOOD:] USDA's Farm to School announcement today as part of
KYF, KYF launch

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true
&contentid=2009/09/0441.xml<http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/%21ut/p/_s.7_
0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/09/0441.xml>

AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN ANNOUNCES INITIATIVE TO CONNECT
CHILDREN TO WHERE THEIR FOOD COMES FROM AND PROVIDE MORE LOCAL FOODS IN
SCHOOL LUNCHES New Farm-to-School Tactical Teams Will Assist School
Administrators Transition to Purchasing More Locally Grown Foods as Part
of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative'

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2009 - Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen
Merrigan today announced a new initiative to better connect children to
their food and create opportunities for local farmers to provide their
harvest to schools in their communities as part of USDA's 'Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative. USDA's Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will team together
and form 'Farm to School Tactical Teams' to assist school administrators
as they transition to purchasing more locally grown foods. The agencies
will also issue updated common-sense purchasing guidance to schools so
they can buy fresh, locally grown produce for students eating through
USDA's school nutrition programs. Food and Nutrition Service
Administrator Julie Paradis made the announcement on Merrigan's behalf
at the Homegrown School Lunch Week Kickoff in Hanover, Md.

"It is important that our children have access to healthy, nutritious
food and our focus on enabling schools to purchase local produce will
provide opportunities for local producers," said Merrigan. "This will
enable greater wealth creation in communities by allowing producers to
build their capacity by serving local institutional customers like
schools."

USDA's Farm-To-School Tactical Teams will soon begin touring America's
school cafeterias to identify challenges and opportunities to help them
transition to purchasing more locally grown foods. The team will work
with local farmers, local and state authorities, school districts, and
community partners to develop Farm-To-School projects and provide
assistance on the best ways to buy more local produce for the National
School Lunch Program. USDA will partner with schools, the U.S.
Department of Education and non-profits to develop and enhance these
resources. Additional information will be made available soon.

This announcement is just one component of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer,
Know Your Food' initiative to help develop local and regional food
systems and spur economic opportunity. By successfully restoring the
link between consumers with local producers there can be new income
opportunities for farmers and generate wealth that will stay in rural
communities; a greater focus on sustainable agricultural practices; and
families can better access healthy, fresh, locally grown food.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a
complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call
(800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

--
Debra Eschmeyer

IATP and Kellogg Food & Society Policy Fellow
National Farm to School Network
Center for Food & Justice, Urban and Environmental Policy Institute,
Occidental College

t: 419.753.3412 c: 419.905.8612
deschmeyer@oxy.edu<mailto:deschmeyer@oxy.edu>
www.farmtoschool.org<http://www.farmtoschool.org>
www.uepi.oxy.edu/cfj<http://www.uepi.oxy.edu/cfj>

Jackson County Farm to School In the News

2009-09-10T13:47:00.001-07:00

Hello,

Happy New Year to all of you working in and with schools! I am excited about the opportunities we have in farm to school this year and wanted to share a great article the Jackson Citizen Patriot did on our Farm to School programs in Jackson County this week. To view the article go to:

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/09/program_supplies_fresh_produce.html

Have a wonderful day,
Michaelle

Michaelle Rehmann
Farm to School Program Director
Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP)
705 N Zeeb Road * PO BOX 8645 * Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: 734.222.3817
Fax: 734.222.3990
Cell: 517.490.6912
rehmannm@ewashtenaw.org<mailto:rehmannm@ewashtenaw.org>
www.fsepmichigan.org<http://www.fsepmichigan.org/>

Market in the Park

2009-09-10T11:30:00.001-07:00

The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources
(DNR) will host two Select Michigan "Market in the Park" events this
fall. The farmer's market style events will be from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.,
Saturday, September 19, at Sterling State Park in Monroe; and Saturday,
September 26, at Van Buren State Park in South Haven.

The Sterling State Park market will be held in conjunction with the
JhanaSun Music Festival.

Please help spread the word about these local food events!

There are still vendor spaces available at both markets, too. Please
contact me if you are interested in being a vendor.

THANKS!

Jeanne M. Hausler
Agricultural Tourism & Outreach Manager
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Fairs, Exhibitions & Racing Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
517/373-9790
517/242-2961 cell
517/241-4217 fax
hauslerj@michigan.gov
www.michigan.gov/mda

Hidden Valley Love Your Veggies Grant Program

2009-08-27T08:20:00.001-07:00

Hello again,

Hidden Valley’s Love Your Veggies Grant Program is another funding source that might be of interest for schools that hope to improve children’s access to and consumption of fresh fruits and veggies in school cafeterias. Grant funding may cover the following:

· fresh fruits and vegetables

· a vegetable station like a salad bar

· kitchen equipment related to fruit and vegetable preparation and service

· program staffing

· nutrition education supplies

· food safety training

Again, this is a great opportunity for some initial assistance in incorporating farm to school into school meals programs! Please click here for more information including links to the application checklist and the grant application. Proposal are due by November 9^th, 2009.

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

2009-2010 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program applications are now available!

2009-08-26T09:24:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

The Michigan Department of Education has just made available applications for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grants for the 2009/10 school year. Please click here for more information.

Interested applicants should first review the bulleted documents on this website – FFVP Grant Available Memo, Applying for the 2009/10 FFVP, and Application Scoring Criteria – as they contain new and important information about the grant program for this year. Only elementary schools with 50% or more students eligible for free and reduced-price meals may apply. Applications are due by September 24, 2009.

This grant program is a great way to increase kids’ access to fresh produce, including locally-grown fruits and vegetables!

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

Michigan Farm to School News - August

2009-08-24T09:55:00.001-07:00

Greetings!

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

“Produce truck is healthy option in Detroit”

Check out this story about the Peaches & Greens produce truck in Detroit that was featured in the Lansing State Journal and on National Public Radio.

“Stars Aligning on School Lunches”

This story from the New York Times discusses the recent School Nutrition Association conference in Las Vegas, and the push for improving the quality of school food through the up-coming Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

“Whole Foods Teams with Ann Cooper on School Lunch Programs”

This LA Times story highlights the partnership between Whole Foods and the “Renegade Lunch Lady” to improve school food and launch a new website with nutritional tips and other resources.

The USDA recently clarified in a series of question and answers that school food service funds may be used to purchase seeds and other items for the purposes of starting and maintaining school gardens, as long as the gardens are part of the school food service program and/or educational lessons and any revenues go back into food service. This document can be viewed at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2009/SP_32-2009_os.pdf.

EVENTS

2009 Farm and Grazing Tour

Hosted by Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) Ag Stewardship Committee

Friday, August 28, 2009
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Triple H Farms in St. Johns and AppleSchram Orchard in Charlotte

Please see attachment for full details.

Please contact the MIFFS Office at (517) 432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu with questions or to register. There is no cost to attend b

Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Earthworks Urban Farm Hosts Harvest Dinner

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Gleaners Food Bank
2131 Beaufait, Detroit, MI 48207.

Ticket information is available online at www.cskdetroit.org/earthworks or contact Lisa via email at earthworks@cskdetroit.org or call 313-579-2100, ext 204. Tickets are $15 - $100 (sliding scale).

Please see attachments for more information. Reservation deadline is Friday, September 4!

Select Michigan September Capitol Lawn Farmers Market

Thursday, September 17, 2009
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Vendors who are interested in reserving booth space on the Capitol Lawn for the market must fully complete the application and biography form by August 24, 2009 at 5 p.m.!

Forms are available online at http://www.selectmichigan.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:sm-capitol-fm&catid=31:welcome&Itemid=46 and are also attached.

Hungry Planet Healthy Schools Symposium

Hosted by the Ark and the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
7:00-8:30 p.m.

The Ark
316 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor

Please see attachment for more details. This event is free and open to the public!

Sustainable Stoup Competition

Hosted by the Michigan Envirothon

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Grand Ledge, MI

Check out the attached flyer for more information on how to participate in this event which will highlight locally-grown and sustainably raised food! Poster also attached.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Michigan State University Student Organic Farm (SOF) is seeking a full time Production Manager for its 10 acre certified organic year-round teaching farm. Applications will be accepted through September 30^th or until the position is filled. Please see the attachment for job description and how to apply.

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

FW: THE RENEGADE LUNCH LADY

2009-08-14T13:51:00.001-07:00

Greetings all,

You may be interested in checking out this radio show tomorrow (12 pm EST) featuring chef and farm to school advocate and practitioner, Ann Cooper.

Enjoy the weekend,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

From: listener-bounces@lists.got.net [mailto:listener-bounces@lists.got.net] On Behalf Of Michael Olson
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 10:17 AM
To: listener@lists.got.net
Subject: THE RENEGADE LUNCH LADY

A FOOD CHAIN RADIO RELEASE FROM METROFARM.COM

Fish sticks, tater tots, and sloppy joes… If we are what we eat, then what have school lunches allowed us to become? And looking to our future…

Can schools serve good food in hard times?

This Saturday at 9am Pacific, Michael Olson’s Food Chain Radio hosts author, chef and Renegade Lunch Lady Ann Cooper for a conversation about the great American school lunch.

Topics include the economic and political ingredients of the typical school lunch; how some schools are bringing fresh, local foods into the cafeteria; and why some believe the school lunch to be the social justice issue of our time.

Listen on your radio, computer or IPOD: Food Chain Radio

"Market in the Park" events at State Parks in Sept

2009-08-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Please share the message below with any farmers or specialty food/ag
producers that may be interested.

Thanks!

Dear Michigan Agriculture Product/Specialty Food Producer:

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) are seeking Michigan food and agriculture companies to
showcase their products at two Select Michigan "Market in the Park"
events this fall. The farmers market style events will be held 10 am -
6 pm, Saturday, September 19, at Sterling State Park in Monroe; and
Saturday, September 26, at Van Buren State Park in South Haven.

This is the first year the two departments have partnered on events
that combine the promotion of food and agriculture businesses in
Michigan with enjoyment of our state's natural treasures - its state
parks.

The markets will be held in conjunction with annual harvest festivals
at the state parks, and with other special activities, including a wine
tasting tent and an eco-friendly music festival. You can participate at
one or both of the markets. All products sold must be Michigan grown,
processed or manufactured food and/or agriculture products. All
processed foods sold must be prepared in a licensed commercial kitchen.

Vendor space is open to any Michigan grower, specialty food processor
or non-food agricultural product producer (wool, herb or soy-based
products, etc.). Cost per space is $25 for each event, which includes a
daily pass into the park for one vehicle. All vendors MUST be set up
and ready to serve customers by 10 a.m. on the day of the market. MDA
and DNR can not be responsible for any loss incurred by vendors during
the show.

Parking is near by, so set-up should be relatively easy. The setting
for the market is beautiful, near the beach at both state parks.

An application form and contract are attached, along with information
on show rules and show hours. Deadline for reserving vendor space is
Wednesday, September 9.

We have already begun to promote this event and expect a great response
to the show. I look forward to working with you at the Markets in the
Parks to promote your Michigan products and business. See you at the
parks!

Sincerely,

Farm to School Meet & Greet

2009-08-05T12:45:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

This is just a reminder to be sure to register by this Friday, August 7^th if you’d like to attend the Farm to School Meet & Greet on August 10^th in East Lansing. Please help spread the word, especially to local farmers!

Thanks,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

Farmers and school food service directors, please join us for a Michigan Farm to School Meet & Greet!

This Meet & Greet event will give school food service directors and farmers a chance to meet each other and develop farm to school programs in their areas. School food service directors from Calhoun, Ingham, and Oakland Counties, among others, are expected to attend.

If you are a school food service director who is ready to bring local foods into your school meals program or a farmer interested in selling your products to local schools, please join us for this event and get connected!

Where: Community Room at MSU Federal Credit Union

600 Crescent Rd., East Lansing, MI

When: Monday, August 10^th, 2009

1-3 pm

The Meet & Greet will be followed by an optional tour from 3:30 – 5 pm of the Student Organic Farm (3291 College Rd in Holt, MI) and its six hoophouses with Outreach Coordinator Adam Montri.

Space is limited! To register for this event, please contact me at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 by Friday, August 7^th.

Feel free to pass along this notice or the attached flyer!

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

FW: Organic Farmer Training Program Accepting Applications for 2010 (please forward)

2009-07-31T06:35:00.001-07:00

Now excepting applications for 2010 Cohort of the

Organic Farmer Training Program

@ the Michigan State University Student Organic Farm!!!!!!

The Organic Farmer Training Program is a 9 month intensive training program in year round organic farming focusing on diversified production of vegetables, flowers, fruits and herbs for local markets. Students engage in the management of the 10 acre certified organic farm including passive solar greenhouses used for year round production in cold climates and heated only by the sun. Students also engage in the management of SOF garden and field production for the farm?s primary markets, including a 48week CSA, 6 month on campus farm stand, and sales to campus dinning services. Students develop competencies in farm skills through skills trainings and by engaging in the day to day work and operation of the farm. Hands-on training is combined with workshops, lectures, readings, and assignments that build participants? knowledge and understanding of organic farming principles and practices. The program is designed to give participants a strong background in production skills as well as the knowledge, management, and decision making skills necessary to operate a diversified small farm.

Program participants include new and beginning farmers, urban and community farmers and gardeners, educators, and those interested in local or organic agriculture.

Program Dates for 2010 are March 1^st to November 19^th for this full time intensive program

Space is limited

Rolling admissions

Application review begins Sept 1.

See attached flyer for more information

Visit our website for full program description and application

www.msuorganicfarm.org

or contact us at msufarm@msu.edu

517-230-7987

Jeremy Moghtader
MSU Student Organic Farm
Organic Farming Training Program
www.msuorganicfarm.org
Farm 517-230-7987
Campus 517-355-5191 ext 1411

Farm to School Meet & Greet

2009-07-28T09:56:00.001-07:00

Farmers and school food service directors, please join us for a Michigan Farm to School Meet & Greet!

Where: Community Room at MSU Federal Credit Union

600 Crescent Rd., East Lansing, MI

When: Monday, August 10^th, 2009

1-3 pm

The Meet & Greet will be followed by an optional tour from 3:30 – 5 pm of the Student Organic Farm (3291 College Rd in Holt, MI) and its six hoophouses with Outreach Coordinator Adam Montri.

Space is limited! To register for this event, please contact me at matts@msu.edu or 517.432.0310 by Friday, August 7^th.

Feel free to pass along this notice or the attached flyer!

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

Clarkston Community Schools produce bid

2009-07-23T12:11:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

I wanted to pass along Clarkston Community Schools’ request for bids for fruits and vegetables for all of the local growers and vendors that may be interested in this market opportunity. Note that bids must be submitted by noon on August 11^th. Please direct any questions to Janet Allen, Nutrition Supervisor at Clarkston Community Schools; her contact information is included in the attached letter.

Thanks,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

Michigan Farm to School News

2009-07-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Here are the latest Michigan Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

Child Nutrition Reauthorization of 2009: Every five years or so, our lawmakers work to reauthorize the federal Child Nutrition Programs, which include the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Summer Food Service Program and the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), among others. Attached is a summary of bills that have been introduced as part of the up-coming Child Nutrition Reauthorization, compiled by Megan Elsener Lott with the Community Food Security Coalition. This list will be updated as additional bills are introduced.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service has released the National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs Reimbursement Rates for the 2009-2010 school year. Reimbursement rates for “paid” meals increased slightly, but free and reduced price meals reimbursements increased by more than $.10 from the 2008-2009 school year’s rates.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Senator Debbie Stabenow(D-MI) and Representative Mark Schauer (D-MI) met with Michigan residents at the Country Mill in Charlotte, Michigan on July 13. This stop is part of a series of town hall meetings on Secretary Vilsack’s Rural Tour. The proposed Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR 2759) was one topic of conversation. Check out a video of the event at the Sustainable Farmer website!

Federal Program to Receive More Funding to Increase Schools’ Access to Fresh Produce: As part of the 2008 Farm Bill, funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides daily healthy snacks in schools separate from the school meals program, is set to increase. To learn more about the program in Michigan, visit the Michigan Department of Education’s website.

Glyen Holmes, the Executive Director of the New North Florida Cooperative, provided testimony to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry in the United States Senate about the benefits of Farm to School Programs. Please see the attachment to read the testimony.

EVENTS

12^th Annual Detroit Agriculture Network Garden Bus & Bike Tour of Urban Farms and Gardens

Sponsored by the Detroit Agriculture Network

August 5^th, 2009

Tour begins at the Catherine Ferguson Academy, 2750 Selden in Detroit.

Please see the attachment for more details!

Select Michigan Farmers Market on the Capitol Lawn

Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS)

East Lawn of the Capitol building in Lansing

July 23^rd, 2009

10 am – 3 pm

See the flyer attached

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to School Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310