New Farm to School Bill Proposed by Senator Leahy

Hi all,

I wanted to pass along news of the introduction of another bill to support Farm to School on the national level! The "Growing Farm to School Programs Act" was introduced on Tuesday by Senator Leahy of Vermont, Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and twelve others. This Act, if passed, would provide $50 million for Farm to School technical assistance and start up funds through competitive grants. This bill is framed as a way to promote local foods and healthy eating in school cafeterias and support local economies and rural development. You can read more here - http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leahy-launches-bill-to-multiply-farm-to-school-links-88203572.html.

 

Stay tuned for news on the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization, which is just beginning, and bills to support Farm to School!

 

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

Farm to School Meet & Greet in Saginaw - March 18th!

Hi all,

This is just a reminder that a Farm to School Meet & Greet will be held in Saginaw this Thursday, March 18th. (See details below or in the attached flyer.) Farmers and vendors in the area, please do RSVP to me if you plan to attend.

 

Apologies for cross posting!

 

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

--------------------------------------------

 

Attention Farmers and Vendors:

 

Schools can provide new, stable, steady markets for Michigan farmers.

Join us for a Meet & Greet event that will give Michigan farmers and vendors a chance to talk with school food service directors from the Saginaw, Bay, and Midland areas who are interested in purchasing local foods for school meals.

 

Get your questions answered!

Participating school food service directors will discuss:

· Products of interest for schools

· Bidding procedures

· Delivery, packaging, and payment arrangements

· And much more!

 

Where: Arrowwood Conference Center

5410 Seidel Rd.

 Saginaw, MI 48638

 

When: Thursday, March 18th, 2010

4:00—6:00 PM

 

Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or 517-432-0310

by Monday, March 15th.

This Meet & Greet is free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.

 

 

Register now for Taking Root, National Farm to Cafeteria Conference

Register now for the 2010 National Farm to Cafeteria Conference.  Scholarships are available, but you must apply by March 19th!  Details on how to register and apply for scholarships provided below.  Please widely distribute this announcement!

Registration is now open!

Taking Root: 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
Detroit, MI,  May 17 - 19, 2010
http://www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org

Farm to Cafeteria programs are TAKING ROOT in schools, hospitals, colleges, day care centers, and other institutions.  Come to Detroit and learn about successful models across the country and how you can start and scale up a program in your community.

Register by March 26 to receive the early registration discount and reserve your seat for one of the exciting field trips or short courses.


Scholarships and Volunteer Positions

A limited number of scholarships and volunteer positions are available. Apply by March 19 at http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/scholarships


Poster Session

Share your innovative project or study with conference attendees during the poster session. Submit a proposal by March 19 at http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5e
 

Exhibit hall

Universities, non-profits, government agencies, and for-profit businesses are encouraged to feature themselves in our Exhibit Hall during the conference. Read more at: http://farmtocafeteriaconference.org/5/exhibitors/

FW: HOLT INTRODUCES FARM TO SCHOOL BILL TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

Hi all,

Please see the message below about a Farm to School bill that was introduced in the House of Representatives on Friday, which would establish a national grant and technical assistance program. I’ll be in touch again soon to follow up with key federal legislators from Michigan to target!

 

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

 

 

From: Debra Eschmeyer [mailto:debraeschmeyer@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 2:14 PM
Subject: HOLT INTRODUCES FARM TO SCHOOL BILL TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Goldberg, Zach <zach.goldberg@mail.house.gov>
Date: Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Subject: HOLT INTRODUCES FARM TO SCHOOL BILL TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS
To:

News from

Representative Rush Holt

12^th District, New Jersey

http://www.holt.house.gov

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                                          Contact: Zach Goldberg, Debra Eschmeyer

March 5, 2010                                                                               202-225-5801, 202-450-6074

 

HOLT INTRODUCES FARM TO SCHOOL BILL TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

 

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) has introduced legislation that would create a Farm to School grant program to fight childhood obesity and support local farmers. The Child Nutrition Act is up for reauthorization this year, and Holt – a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor – is working to improve how food is sourced for the 31 million children that eat at school five days a week, 180 days a year.

“Farm to school programs exemplify the best use of federal school lunch dollars,” Holt said. “This is a rare opportunity for a win-win solution— a program to ensure our children get the best quality food at school, help foster local farm job growth, and create local economic growth.”

Video of Holt talking about the legislation with school nutrition experts can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs52sHtZRkU.

 

The Farm to School Improvements Act (H.R. 4710) would establish a competitive grant and technical assistance program to increase the use of local foods from small and medium sized farms in schools. The grant funds also would improve the relationships between schools and local food providers. The legislation would provide $10 million in mandatory funding each year for the duration of the program and require that grant recipients provide a local match to ensure serious commitment to the project.

 

Farm to School programs have shown that locally and regionally produced food can be provided efficiently from nearby producers if there is a good distribution system.   The grants authorized by this legislation would provide communities the seed money they need to develop robust, economically-sustainable programs linking agricultural producers with schools. 

 

“This seed funding could not come at a better time as the interest and need for Farm to School programs is at an all time high,” said Marion Kalb, co-Director of the National Farm to School Network. “HR 4710 will create competitive, one-time grants that can be used to develop vendor relationships with nearby farmers, plan seasonal menus and promotional materials, start a school garden, or develop hands-on nutrition education.”

Farm to School programs can:

• Strengthen children’s and communities’ knowledge about, and attitudes toward, agriculture, food, nutrition and the environment.
• Increase children’s participation in the school meals program and consumption of fruits and vegetables, improving childhood nutrition, reducing hunger, and preventing obesity and obesity-related diseases.
• Benefit school food budgets, after start-up, if planning and menu choices are made consistent with seasonal availability of fresh and minimally processed whole foods.
• Support economic development across numerous sectors and promote job creation.
• Increase market opportunities for farmers, fishers, ranchers, food processors and food manufacturers.
• Decrease the distance between producers and consumers of fresh agricultural products, thus promoting food security while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and reliance on oil.

“In these challenging fiscal times, every dollar we spend must not only meet immediate needs but also make lasting improvements for the future,” Holt added. “Because school food programs currently provide more than half the daily calories for many children, it is vital that these calories are healthy ones.  Farm to school programs increase the availability of fresh and locally grown food that improve our children's daily nutrition and can lead to permanent improvements in their diets and productivity and can reduce future health care costs associated with obesity by billions of dollars.”  

 

# # #

 

--
Debra Eschmeyer

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

t: 202.450.6074 c: 419.905.8612
deschmeyer@oxy.edu
www.farmtoschool.org

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/FarmtoSchool


TAKING ROOT: 5th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, May 17-19, Detroit, MI: www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org/
REAL FOOD IS VIDEO CONTEST: Broadcast the change you want to see in your cafeteria! http://video.farmtoschool.org/
COOKING UP CHANGE CONTEST:Students reforming the future of school food. Enter today! www.cookingupchange.org/welcome.php

Farm to School Meet & Greet in Saginaw - March 18th!

Apologies for cross posting.

--------------------------------------------

 

Attention Farmers and Vendors:

 

Schools can provide new, stable, steady markets for Michigan farmers.

Join us for a Meet & Greet event that will give Michigan farmers and vendors a chance to talk with school food service directors from the Saginaw, Bay, and Midland areas who are interested in purchasing local foods for school meals.

 

Get your questions answered!

Participating school food service directors will discuss:

· Products of interest for schools

· Bidding procedures

· Delivery, packaging, and payment arrangements

· And much more!

 

Where: Arrowwood Conference Center

5410 Seidel Rd.

 Saginaw, MI 48638

 

When: Thursday, March 18th, 2010

4:00—6:00 PM

 

Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or 517-432-0310

by Monday, March 15th.

This Meet & Greet is free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.

 

 

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

 

 

FW: Growing For Local Markets Workshop

Hi all,

Please see details below for an up-coming workshop hosted by FSEP in Southeast Michigan. Apologies for cross-posting.

 

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

 

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michaelle Rehmann <rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 6:28 PM
Subject: Growing For Local Markets Workshop
To: Michaelle Rehmann <rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org>

Food System Economic Partnership is proud to present:  Growing For Local Markets - a workshop for farmers in Southeast Michigan

The local food movement is blossoming across Southeast Michigan, come learn how to be a part of this growing opportunity.  Restaurants, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and correctional facilities across the region are looking to area farmers for local food.  Don’t let this opportunity to increase your market share pass you by.    Join us on Monday, March 8th at 10:00 am to learn more about the types of products institutional buyers are purchasing and how you can sell direct to these local outlets.

Program Highlights

· How to Develop Community Connections

· Types of Products Commonly Purchased

· How to Prepare Product Availability Lists

· Using Season Extension Techniques to increase Market Share

 

Date:  March 8, 2010

Time: 10:00 - 2:00 PM (lunch included)

Place: Adrian Public Library, 143 E. Maumee St, Adrian, MI

Cost:  FREE

RSVP: (734) 222.3817

 

We hope to see you there! 

--
Michaelle Rehmann
Farm to Food Service Program Director

Food System Economic Partnership
705 N Zeeb Road * PO BOX 8645
Ann Arbor, MI  48107
Phone:  517.490.6912
Fax:  734.222.3990
rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org
www.fsepmichigan.org

--
Michaelle Rehmann
Farm to Food Service Program Director

Food System Economic Partnership
705 N Zeeb Road * PO BOX 8645
Ann Arbor, MI  48107
Phone:  517.490.6912
Fax:  734.222.3990
rehmannm@fsepmichigan.org
www.fsepmichigan.org

FW: Detroit Public Schools Farm 2 School Program, Growers Meeting

Greetings growers and food vendors,

Please see details below and attached for Detroit Public Schools’ Farm 2 School meeting next Tuesday, March 9th. DPS food service is looking for local farmers, food processors, and distributors who can supply food for their school meals and snack programs. Feel free to pass this message on to others who may be interested in this marketing opportunity!

 

Thanks,

 

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

 

---

From: theresa ramirez [mailto:theresa.ramirez@detroitk12.org]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 10:46 AM
Subject: Detroit Public Schools Farm 2 School Program, Growers Meeting

 

Good Morning Everyone,

You are cordially invited to the Detroit Public Schools Farm 2 School Program "Growers Meeting" to be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 9:00 AM. at the Eastern Market Offices 2934 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48207.

Attached is the flyer for the meeting. 

If you know of any farmers or interested  individuals that may be interested in this meeting, please forward the flyer and let me know.

Thank You!

Theresa

"Child Nutrition Is My Business"
Theresa Ramirez
Program Associate II,Production/Marketing Manager
Office of Food Service
Detroit Public Schools
1425 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207
Office (313) 578-7243
Fax (313) 578-7129