FW: Farm to School ACTION REQUEST

Hi all,

Yesterday, I sent out notice of a Farm to School bill introduced by Senator Leahy (VT). This bill, known as the Growing Farm to School Programs Act, would provide funds for technical assistance and start up funds for Farm to School programs through competitive grants.

 

To follow up on this, please see the action alert below. This email was not originally sent to Michigan because, as you'll notice, there are no co-sponsors from Michigan on this bill. The National Farm to School organization is hoping to get the co-sponsorship of Michigan's Senator Stabenow, a key member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, on this bill, which will be included in the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization scheduled to be taken up very soon.

 

If you would like to support this Farm to School bill and see Sen Stabenow support this bill as well, please contact Sen Stabenow's office between now and Monday at 202.224.4822. Ask to speak to the staffer working on Child Nutrition to recommend that Sen Stabenow co-sponsor the Growing Farm to School Programs Act and to recommend full funding of $50 million dollars to support Farm to School programs, rather than the $25 million funding that is being discussed in committee now.

 

I'll keep you posted as I learn more!

 

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

 

 

------ Forwarded Message
From: Jeff Eschmeyer <jeff@foodsecurity.org>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:49:55 -0400

Subject: Farm to School ACTION REQUEST

Hello All,
 
Hope you're all doing well.  We are reaching out for you to take a very specific and IMPORTANT action for farm to school in the next 48 hours.
 
We learned today that the Senate agriculture committee is going to be marking up the Child Nutrition Act next Wednesday (3/24/10).   We also have learned that the current language that Chairman Lincoln is using includes $25 million for farm to school.  It's great to have farm to school included, but the level is half of the $50 million that we all have been pushing for.

You're receiving this e-mail because your Senator is on the Agriculture committee and has also cosponsored Senator Leahy's farm to school bill.
 
We would greatly appreciate you contacting their office.  We need you to thank them for their support and co-sponsoring the Leahy farm to school bill <http://www.farmtoschool.org/press-detail.php?press_id=27> , and also urge them to continue to fight for the full $50 million in committee action next week.
 
We need these Senators who support the bill, S.3123, and are on the committee to tell the chairwoman they want it funded at the full amount.

Here are the Senators. We need you to call your member's office and ask to speak to the staffer handling Child Nutrition issues (or ask for them by name if you know them):
 
Harkin (IA) – 202.224.3254
Brown (OH) – 202.224.2315
Casey (PA) – 202.224.6324
Klobuchar (MN) – 202.224.3244
Bennet (CO) – 202.224.5852
Gillibrand (NY) – 202. 224.4451
 
The timing of this action is unfortunately somewhat confusing because Senator Leahy just introduced his farm to school bill yesterday, and we have not sent out a grassroots action alert yet.  However, because of the compressed timeline with committee consideration next week we thought it best to focus on this technical but VERY IMPORTANT ACTION first to specific grasstops leaders like yourself.  We will send out a broad grassroots action alert to gather more cosponsors shortly as well.
 
Please pass this along to anybody else in your state who could make a call and help us in these efforts. Additionally, please let us know what you hear back from your Senator so we know what additional follow-up might be needed.
 
If you have questions on this request please don't hesitate to e-mail or call our office at 202.543.8602.
 
Best,
Jeff and Megan

--
Jeff Eschmeyer
Associate Policy Director
Community Food Security Coalition
110 Maryland Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002
www.foodsecurity.org
Phone: (202) 543-8602
Fax: (202) 543-0978

------ End of Forwarded Message

------ End of Forwarded Message

REMINDER: Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People - To reserve your space, please register by Friday, March 19th!!!

Attention Farmers, Distributors, Institutional Purchasers, Retailers and Consumers:                                               Apologies for cross posting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Area Coalition Announces Conference to Address Improving the Local Food System and Supporting Those is Need 

Lansing, Michigan – March 18, 2010 – A comprehensive coalition of local organizations is pleased to announce a daylong conference “Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People” to discuss how we might improve the local food system and support those in need.  The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, from 8:00am – 4:00pm at LCC-West, 5798 Cornerstone Drive, in Lansing, for a day of inspiring presentations and meaningful conversations among all the participants in our local food system - farmers, wholesalers, retailers, food pantries, commercial kitchens and others involved in the food we eat. The public is encouraged to attend to offer their ideas, questions, and energy for making the tri-county region a more sustainable home for all. Cost to attend the event is $5.00 per person, which includes lunch featuring local foods. 

Collaborators for the event are: Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capital Region Community Foundation, Allen Neighborhood Center, NorthWest Initiative, Clinton Memorial Foundation, Mid-Michigan Food Bank, Lansing City Market, MSU Extension, Ingham County Health Department and the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems. It is the hope of the coalition to use this conference to spark new relationships and strengthen existing ones while focusing on better developing, distributing, collaborating and planning for the food system of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Conference is generously sponsored by the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capital Region Community Foundation, and Capital Area United Way 

Interested individuals and organizations can get additional information or register online at www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org or call the Greater Lansing Food Bank at 1.517. 887.4307.

Contact:

Greater Lansing Food Bank:

Terry Link

(517) 887.4307

 

###

 

Re: Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People - To reserve your space, please register by Friday, March 19th!!!

We are scheduled for lunch on this day. Can we move it so we can go to this.


On 3/18/10 3:44 PM, "Danley, Cheryl" <danleych@MSU.EDU> wrote:

Attention Farmers, Distributors, Institutional Purchasers,
Retailers and Consumers:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Area Coalition Announces Conference to Address Improving the Local Food System and Supporting Those is Need
 
Lansing, Michigan – March 18, 2010 – A comprehensive coalition of local organizations is pleased to announce a daylong conference “Growing Our Food System: Nourishing Our People” to discuss how we might improve the local food system and support those in need.  The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, from 8:00am – 4:00pm at LCC-West, 5798 Cornerstone Drive, in Lansing, for a day of inspiring presentations and meaningful conversations among all the participants in our local food system - farmers, wholesalers, retailers, food pantries, commercial kitchens and others involved in the food we eat. The public is encouraged to attend to offer their ideas, questions, and energy for making the tri-county region a more sustainable home for all. Cost to attend the event is $5.00 per person, which includes lunch featuring local foods.
 
Collaborators for the event are: Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capital Region Community Foundation, Allen Neighborhood Center, NorthWest Initiative, Clinton Memorial Foundation, Mid-Michigan Food Bank, Lansing City Market, MSU Extension, Ingham County Health Department and the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems. It is the hope of the coalition to use this conference to spark new relationships and strengthen existing ones while focusing on better developing, distributing, collaborating and planning for the food system of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. Conference is generously sponsored by the Greater Lansing Food Bank, Capital Region Community Foundation, and Capital Area United Way
 
Interested individuals and organizations can get additional information or register online at www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org <http://www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org/> or call the Greater Lansing Food Bank at 1.517. 887.4307.
Contact:
Greater Lansing Food Bank:
Terry Link
(517) 887.4307
 

###

Andrea King Collier
517-487-1683
517-285-6890 cell
Food and Society Policy Fellow
Author Black Woman's Guide to Black Men's Health
www.andreacollier11@comcast.net

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