More announcements

Hi all,

Here are a few farm to school related announcements:

USDA Farm to School Webinar: Opportunities to Increase Local Food in School Meals. The USDA Farm to School Team is holding its first Webinar on March 10^th from 3-4 PM. They will discuss the Farm to School Team's mission and goals for 2010, available resources, grant opportunities, and answer questions about Farm to School. To participate in this webinar, register online by March 8th!

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity Webinar Series for 2010 focuses on “Making Schools the Model for Healthier Environments." Register for any or all of the four webinars in this series: 

• March 11: Sowing Seeds: Improving Food Quality with Farm-to-School Programs
• March 25: Setting the Standard: What Schools Are Doing about Competitive Foods
• April 8: Let’s Get Physical: Being Active to Reverse Child Obesity

Farm to School & School Garden Research Consortium Posters detailing work related to the conference theme are being accepted for the 5^th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference until March 19^th.  The posters will be on display throughout the conference, and there will be two sessions during which time the poster presenters are requested to be available near the poster for questions. Posters can be submitted here.

The Cooking Up Change: National Healthy Cooking Contest and the Real Food Is…National Video Contest were just announced as part of the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, which will be held in Detroit in May.

• The Cooking Up Change: National Healthy Cooking Contest is open to high school and college teams, and healthy school lunch recipes are due by March 26^th. Three teams from each division will receive all expenses paid trips to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference where they will compete, preparing and presenting their meals to a panel of judges. Click here for more information.
• The Real Food Is… National Video Contest is open to students of all ages, from kindergarten to college. The challenge is to “produce a 30 second to 3 minute video that informs, inspires, and encourages student advocacy to restore connections to community, food, land, and place through Farm to Cafeteria programs.” Two winners will receive $1,000 for their cafeteria food project, and one representative and one chaperone from each winning video entry will receive all expenses paid trips to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. The deadline for submissions is March 29^th! Click here to find the official rules.

Seven Generations Ahead is sponsoring a Fresh from the Farm Teacher Training Workshop for educators, parents and community members. Attached is the Fresh from the Farm teacher training flier and registration form describing the training sessions in more detail. Click here to learn more about these new farm to school curriculum activities!

Enjoy the weekend,

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution 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

 

 

 

February Farm to School News

Hi all,

Here are the latest Farm to School news bites:

NEWS

The Cooking Up Change: National Healthy Cooking Contest and the Real Food Is…National Video Contest were just announced as part of the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, which will be held in Detroit in May.

·       The Cooking Up Change: National Healthy Cooking Contest is open to high school and college teams, and healthy school lunch recipes are due by March 26^th. Three teams from each division will receive all expenses paid trips to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference where they will compete, preparing and presenting their meals to a panel of judges. Click here for more information.

·       The Real Food Is… National Video Contest is open to students of all ages, from kindergarten to college. The challenge is to “produce a 30 second to 3 minute video that informs, inspires, and encourages student advocacy to restore connections to community, food, land, and place through Farm to Cafeteria programs.” Two winners will receive $1,000 for their cafeteria food project, and one representative and one chaperone from each winning video entry will receive all expenses paid trips to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference. The deadline for submissions is March 29^th! Click here to find the official rules.

 

The USDA recently published the annual adjustments for the reimbursement rates for meals and snacks served in the Summer Food Service Program. The adjusted rates can be found in the Federal Register.

School Cafeterias Make Efforts to Buy From Local Farms - Jean Ronnei, the Director of the Nutrition and Commercial Services at St. Paul Public Schools in Minnesota, discusses the school district’s partnerships with Food Options for Children in Urban Schools (FOCUS) and local organizations to provide healthier and more sustainable foods on school menus.

First Lady Michelle Obama in collaboration with the White House officially launched the Let’s Move Campaign earlier this month with the goal to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. The USDA Economic Research Service also launched Your Food Environment Atlas, a new online food mapping tool.

 

EVENTS

Michigan Good Food Summit
When: February 25, 2010
Where: The Lansing Center in Lansing, MI
See agenda attached and click here to register today!

Choices 2010: The Conference that Celebrates Food, Health & Collaboration
When: March 10-11, 2010
Where: Michigan State University’s Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Click here to view agenda.
Click here to register today!

Farm to School: Setting the Table for Wellness
When: March 15, 2010
Where: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Traverse City, MI
Find more information here.

Vegetable 201: Ready to Take the Next Step?
When: 8 am -5 pm on March 19, 2010
Where: Jackson County MSU Extension Office in Jackson, MI
See brochure and registration form attached. 

2010 Eat Healthy + Play Hard = Smart Students Conference
When: April 28-30, 2010
Where: Hyatt Regency Dearborn (Dearborn, MI)
See attachments for registration and agenda information and sponsor exhibit packet. 

Taking Root: 5^th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
When: May 17-19, 2010
Where: Renaissance Center in Detroit, MI
Registration starts Feb. 22, but check out the website for more information. 

MSU Student Organic Farm Tours & Workshops
Tours and workshops are running through September 2010!
See attachment for more details.

OPPORTUNITIES

USDA Offering Financial Assistance for High Tunnels - The USDA is providing grants through the USDA EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) to help landowners construct hoophouses or high tunnels in order to increase the availability of locally grown fruits and vegetables. The application deadline has recently been extended to February 19^th so submit your application now to a local NRCS field office!

USDA Conservation Assistance for Organic Producers – More than $1 million is available for conservation financial assistance for Michigan organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production. Applications are due to local NRCS field office by March 12^th. You can find the application here.

Fiskars Project Orange Thumb offers grants for garden tools and materials such as plants, seeds, mulch, etc. to eligible gardening groups, including projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, horticultural education, and/or sustainable agriculture. The deadline has been extended to March 1^st so apply soon!

Best,

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution 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

 

 

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Conference call TODAY!

Hi all,

Here is information for the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Conference call with USDA Secretary Vilsack today a 2:30. (See original announcement below.)

 

CNR call with Vilsack - Please circulate widely
When: Wed. Feb. 10 at 2:30pm EST
Where: Dial 1-800-369-1790 and provide the participant pass code 3769722. You do not have to register to participate.

This conference call with the Secretary is an opportunity to discuss the Obama Administration's priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization in greater depth.  The call will also include an update on the First Lady's Childhood Obesity initiative, which was highlighted in the President's State of the Union address.  Finally, this call will be an opportunity for the Secretary to answer your questions and explore how your organizations can best amplify the President and the First Lady's efforts to provide access to healthy food for all American children.

 

Thanks,

Colleen

 

From: Etienne Melcher [mailto:emelcher@frac.org]
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:17 AM
To: Colleen Matts
Subject: Conference Call with USDA Secretary Vilsack, 2/10

 

We urge you to join a conference call with USDA Secretary Vilsack on Wednesday, February 10th.  The time has not been determined yet, but we will send you an e-mail as soon as we know the exact time. 

What:  Conference Call with USDA Secretary Vilsack on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

 

Please see below for details:

Dear Partners:

On behalf of Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, you are invited to be a part of an important upcoming conference call. Please join Secretary Vilsack on Wednesday, February 10, for a call about the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. Further details on the specific time will be forthcoming to registered participants.

On Monday, Secretary Vilsack will speak at the National Press Club in Washington, DC about the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.  The Secretary will call on Congress to act swiftly to pass a strong reauthorization bill to improve the health and nutrition of America's children and make it easier for eligible children to participate in these programs.

This conference call with the Secretary is an opportunity to discuss the Obama Administration's priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization in greater depth.  The call will also include an update on the First Lady's Childhood Obesity initiative, which was highlighted in the President's State of the Union address.  Finally, this call will be an opportunity for the Secretary to answer your questions and explore how your organizations can best amplify the President and the First Lady's efforts to provide access to healthy food for all American children.

The Obama Administration is committed to making sure every child in America has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill is an important step towards that goal.  That is why the President's Budget included an additional $10 billion investment to strengthen these important programs in the future.  We sincerely hope that you can join us to learn more.

To receive final time details for the conference call, please register by clicking on this link:http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17fb9g42d82

To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-800-369-1790 and provide the participant pass code 3769722

Thank you for everything that you are doing to assist our nation's children and we look forward to having you join Secretary Vilsack on the call Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010.

 

With best wishes,

Max R. Finberg

Director,

Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Office of the Secretary

US Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 544A

Washington, DC20250-0122

202-720-2032 dir

Collaborate@usda.gov mailto:Collaborate@usda.gov

\

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Conference Call with USDA Secretary Vilsack, 2/10

Hi all,

Please see the email below about a conference call with USDA Secretary Vilsack regarding Child Nutrition Reauthorization next Wednesday, February 10^th . I will send another email with the conference call time as soon as I receive it, but feel free to join in!

 

An update I received regarding the budget for Child Nutrition Reauthorization indicated that Farm to School funding was NOT included in the President's budget released recently. (If you wish, you can review the budget here - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionGPO.action?collectionCode=BUDGET&searchPath=BUDGET-2011-TAB&oldPath=&selectedYearFrom=2011&isCollapsed=true&ycord=585.) However, language to support funding of USDA Farm to School Tactical Teams is still included. This conference call with Secretary Vilsack may clarify some of these budget issues and concerns.

 

Best,

Colleen

 

From: Etienne Melcher [mailto:emelcher@frac.org]
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:17 AM
To: Colleen Matts
Subject: Conference Call with USDA Secretary Vilsack, 2/10

 

We urge you to join a conference call with USDA Secretary Vilsack on Wednesday, February 10th.  The time has not been determined yet, but we will send you an e-mail as soon as we know the exact time. 

What:  Conference Call with USDA Secretary Vilsack on Child Nutrition Reauthorization

When:  Wednesday, February 10th, Time TBD

Call-In Information:  1-800-369-1790 and provide the participant pass code 3769722

Please see below for details:

Dear Partners:

On behalf of Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack, you are invited to be a part of an important upcoming conference call. Please join Secretary Vilsack on Wednesday, February 10, for a call about the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act. Further details on the specific time will be forthcoming to registered participants.

On Monday, Secretary Vilsack will speak at the National Press Club in Washington, DC about the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act.  The Secretary will call on Congress to act swiftly to pass a strong reauthorization bill to improve the health and nutrition of America's children and make it easier for eligible children to participate in these programs.

This conference call with the Secretary is an opportunity to discuss the Obama Administration's priorities for Child Nutrition Reauthorization in greater depth.  The call will also include an update on the First Lady's Childhood Obesity initiative, which was highlighted in the President's State of the Union address.  Finally, this call will be an opportunity for the Secretary to answer your questions and explore how your organizations can best amplify the President and the First Lady's efforts to provide access to healthy food for all American children.

The Obama Administration is committed to making sure every child in America has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill is an important step towards that goal.  That is why the President's Budget included an additional $10 billion investment to strengthen these important programs in the future.  We sincerely hope that you can join us to learn more.

To receive final time details for the conference call, please register by clicking on this link:http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/17fb9g42d82

To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-800-369-1790 and provide the participant pass code 3769722

Thank you for everything that you are doing to assist our nation's children and we look forward to having you join Secretary Vilsack on the call Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010.

 

With best wishes,

Max R. Finberg

Director,

Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Office of the Secretary

US Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 544A

Washington, DC20250-0122

202-720-2032 dir

Collaborate@usda.gov mailto:Collaborate@usda.gov

Whole grain bread products in school meals?

Greetings school food service professionals,

If you have experience introducing whole grain bread products into your school meals program and are willing to share some insights, please see the questions below from my colleague David Conner and respond directly to him (contact info below as well).

 

Thanks so much,

Colleen

    

 

    -Which products did you intoruce?

    -What percent of whole grain did those products have?

    -Did students accept these products?

    -How did you measure acceptance of these products?

    -Did you try to increase acceptance of these whole grain products through any particular strategies?

    -Any other important insights?

    

 

David S. Conner, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Department of CARRS

309 Natural Resources Bldg

Michigan State University

East Lansing MI 48823

Voice: 517-353-1914

Fax: 517 353-3834

Email: connerd@msu.edu

 

 

January News

 

Here are the latest farms to school news bites!

NEWS

“USDA announces $25 million in school kitchen equipment grants” These grants will help schools that are part of the National School Lunch Program replace outdated equipment with new, energy efficient food service equipment.

“Michelle Obama to Unveil Anti-Obesity Initiative” As childhood obesity increases, first lady Michelle Obama is reaching out to the nation’s mayors to take more steps towards obesity prevention.

“Kids, Good Food, and the White House” Check out this blog post by Diane Conners of the Michigan Land Use Institute about White House Chef Sam Kass and the Obama Administration’s efforts to support good food, and some key initiatives and legislative efforts.

 

EVENTS

Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference
Saturday, January 30, 2010 with keynote speaker, Melissa Hemmelgarn, on Friday, January 29th
Grayling High School in Grayling, MI
http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=26792

Michigan Good Food Summit
February 25, 2010 in Lansing, MI
www.michiganfood.org

2010 Michigan Organic Conference
Sponsored by Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance (MOFFA)
March 5-6, 2010 in East Lansing, MI (Kellogg Conference Center)
For more information, see attachment.

Choices 2010, Collaboration: There's Room at the Table 
Wednesday, March 10 -11, 2010 in East Lansing, MI
Registration opens Jan. 11, 2010 
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
localdifference.org/farmtoschool and see the brochure attached

National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
May 17-19, 2010 in Detroit, MI
Farm to Cafeteria Conference website

 

RESOURCES

A new farm to school manual from Oklahoma - School Tips, Tools & Guidelines for Food Distribution & Food Safety - is intended to provide information, insight and useful tools for farmers and school food service directors interested in FtS program participation, distribution and food safety.

 

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: Advanced GAP and GHP Workshops Tackle Food Safety Certification on Feb 2, 9 & 16

Hi all,

Here’s an opportunity that may be of interest to some of our growers!

 

Colleen

 

From: Linking growers, consumers, and all those in-between [mailto:FOODSPEAK@LIST.MSU.EDU] On Behalf Of Emily R. Beutel
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 10:10 AM
To: FOODSPEAK@LIST.MSU.EDU
Subject: Advanced GAP and GHP Workshops Tackle Food Safety Certification on Feb 2, 9 & 16

 

Please distribute widely!  I apologize for any cross-postings.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2010

 

CONTACT:

Amanda Segar, 517-432-3381

Michigan Food & Farming Systems

 

Advanced GAP and GHP Workshops Tackle Food Safety Certification

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. – An advanced workshop series on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) is reaching out to Michigan produce growers trying to tackle food safety certification, which is being required by regional grocery stores and wholesale distributors looking to source local products.

 

“These workshops are diving into the key risk areas of concern for fruit and vegetable farmers as they understand certification standards and practices that wholesale and retail buyers are requiring to ensure safe food for their customers,” said Elaine Brown, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS). Each workshop will offer an overview of audit considerations and expectations, lessons learned and perspectives from auditors, as well as from growers who have become certified, and the buyer’s perspective on the importance of food safety certification.

 

These three workshops will take place on Feb. 2 at the Starting Block, Inc. kitchen incubator in Hart, Feb. 9 at the Southwest Michigan Research and Education Center (SWMREC) in Benton Harbor, and Feb. 16 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Eastern Market District of Detroit from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

 

In addition to an auditor panel and GAP certified growers, industry representatives from groceries and distribution centers, like Sysco, will share their retail perspective on the importance of good practices.

 

There is no cost to attend, but the value is more than $50 per person and includes lunch. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase the revised, 240-page “Wholesale Success: A Farmer’s Guide to Selling, Post-Harvest Handling and Packing Produce” Manual for only $25, which retails for $75. FamilyFarmed.org developed this “Wholesale Success” manual to build the capacity of Midwest farmers to meet the burgeoning demand for local food. It features comprehensive sections on issues like building buyer relationships, food safety and calculating return on investment, along with crop profiles with specific harvesting, cooling, storage and packing information on fruits and vegetables grown in the Midwest.

 

For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) office at (517) 432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu. A flyer is also available for viewing and download at http://www.miffs.org/media/GAP GHP Workshops10.pdf.  Space is limited, so register early to save your spot, as participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is required in advance to ensure adequate meals and materials.  Please register by the following dates for each session: Thursday, Jan. 28 for the session in Hart; Wednesday, Feb. 3 for the session in Benton Harbor, and Wednesday, Feb. 10 for the session in Detroit.

 

These workshops are funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant. Other sponsors include: MIFFS, the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Starting Block, Inc. regional kitchen incubator, SWMREC and the Eastern Market Corporation.

 

####

 

Founded in 1998, MIFFS is a statewide membership organization (501c3) whose purpose is to promote diverse efforts that foster and sustain food and farming systems that improve economic, ecological and social well-being.  MIFFS has been effective at establishing successful partnerships among producers, markets and institutions that have created more profitable, environmentally friendly food systems in Michigan.    

 

The organization’s vision is based on the premise that agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship and profitability reinforce each other for the benefit of Michigan’s rural and urban communities.  To learn more, please visit www.miffs.org or call (517) 432-0712.

 

 

Emily (Buckham) Beutel
Communications Specialist

Michigan Food & Farming Systems - MIFFS
Bringing Farmers and Communities Together

PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS (effective 6/10/2009)
172 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
Ph: (517) 432-0712
Fx: (517) 353-7961
www.miffs.org