FW: Direct Market Farmers, We Need Your Input!

 

From: Montri, Dru
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:50 AM
Subject: Direct Market Farmers, We Need Your Input!

 

Apologies for cross posting.  Please forward this e-mail to any direct market farmers you know.  Thanks!

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Attention: Direct Market Farmers

 

We need your input!

 

Customers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from and how safe it is. As a direct market farmer, you take steps everyday to produce the safest product for your customers.  Please help us understand all of the steps you are taking and what education or training you need to deliver high-quality produce.

 

Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), and the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University want to help you in your effort to provide safe, local produce to your direct market consumers by developing resource materials and training sessions geared towards you and your food safety needs.

 

Please take some time to answer a few questions about your farm and your understanding of food safety to help us determine what you already know, what you need to know, and what the best way is to help you learn it. Your participation in this study will take approximately 20 minutes.

 

Please follow this link to participate in the survey:

 

http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_6mRgEnOCb0tuHPe&SVID=

 

If you have concerns or questions about this survey, please contact Dru Montri at dnmontri@msu.edu.

 

Thank you for helping us help you!

 

Dru

 

Dru Montri

Association Manager

Michigan Farmers Market Association

 

PhD Student, Michigan State University

Departments of CARRS and Horticulture

 

172D Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517-432-3381

Fx: 517-353-7961

 

 

 

Farm to School News

Greetings,

Here are some of the latest Farm to School news bites:

 

NEWS

First, a big thank you to all who participated in and contributed to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit last month. With over 700 people in attendance, I think all would agree that it was a tremendous success and a great opportunity to show off some of the incredible projects here in Michigan to a national audience! Special thanks to the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) in southeast Michigan for their outstanding work with local conference organizing. For follow up and wrap up info, including video of the keynote speech by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, conference materials and presentations, the Farm to Cafeteria 50x20 photo slideshow, online evaluation, and more, please see the attached email from the Community Food Security Coalition and the National Farm to School Network, the national conference organizers.

Click here to view the latest update on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Put Healthy Helpings of Michigan-Grown Foods in School Meals
Betti Wiggins, Director of Operations in Food Service for Detroit Public Schools, wants to serve more Michigan-grown fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, but a tight food service budget makes this challenging. While it could provide some funding for farm to school programs, the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization may be delayed again.

FoodCorps: Building an Army to Support Sustainable Food and Farmers
The FoodCorps is a proposed subdivision in AmeriCorps that  would link members specifically with Farm-to-School projects to help develop farm to school supply chains, expand food system and nutrition education programs in schools, and build and manage school gardens.

Michelle Obama Hosts Youth Leadership Event and Luncheon in Detroit
After an inspiring commencement speech at Wayne State University, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a mentoring luncheon at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Follow this link to read more and watch a video of her speech.

School District Includes Local Foods
Many schools and districts participated in "Michigan Week" last month. Learn about how Nutrition Services in the Plymouth-Canton District focused menus on Michigan products during their “Local Foods Week.”

 

EVENTS

Food System Economic Partnership Annual Conference
When: June 24, 2010
Where: Jackson Area Career Center
Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/ 
Click here for more information.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

For the fourth year, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) will host a Farmers Market at the Capitol on the East lawn of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing. The markets will be held on Thursday, July 22^nd and Thursday, September 16th.  Vendor applications will be available at www.miffs.org for those interested in selling at these markets. MIFFS and MIFMA members will receive their applications in advance and have the first opportunity to apply. Applications will be available on June 14 for non-members. If you’re interested in joining MIFFS or MIFMA, visit www.miffs.org/join.asp or click the “Join MIFMA” tab at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

 

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

 

 

 

Reminder: Register on-line for the June 24 FSEP Conference!

On-line registration for the June 24 Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) Conference is now open!

 

FSEP is building a better food system in Southeastern Michigan!  With 17 breakout sessions to choose from, there is a topic of interest to everyone. Participants will gain an understanding of the local food system and explore opportunities for growth in production, processing, distribution, sales and consumption of local foods. Learn how to launch your own specialty product, how to integrate farm to school into your school, and how to use the internet to build your farm or food business.

 

Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/

 

Early registration is $40 and must be postmarked by June 8.  Cost includes materials, attendance at sessions and a wonderful lunch of locally sourced food.  After June 8, registration is $50.  Mail-in registration is also available.  The 2010 Conference Brochure can be viewed and printed here:  http://fsepmichigan.org/consumers/2010_Conference_Brochure

Please make checks payable to Food System Economic Partnership, and send them to:

 

Monroe County MSU Extension

963 S. Raisinville Road

Monroe, MI  48161

 

Interested in exhibiting?  Please call or e-mail Jennifer Fike at 734.222.6859 or fikej@fsepmichigan.org.

 

 

Joan Tobin Rozelle

Eat Local Food

637 Emmons Blvd.

Wyandotte, MI  48192

734.341.7028

 

www.eatlocalfood.com

Visit our blog at http://blog.eatlocalfood.com/

 

Register now for the FSEP Conference! June 24, 2010

Registration is Now Open! FSEP Annual Conference - June 24, 2010

Registration is now open for the 5th annual FSEP conference scheduled for June 24, 2010 at the Jackson Career Center located at 6900 Browns Lake Road in Jackson.  The keynote speaker is Michael Sands, Executive Director of the Liberty Prairie Foundation, a private operating foundation dedicated to providing leadership in natural resource management and land conservation in northern Illinois.  He also founded and runs the Farm Business Development Center, a business incubator for beginning organic farmers committed to creating financially rewarding and ecologically healthy farm businesses in the suburban landscape. 

 

A complete list of break-out sessions and registration information can be found at www.fsepmichigan.org. 

 

Interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities?  Please contact Jennifer Fike at fikej@fsepmichigan.org or (734) 222-6859.   

 

 

Joan Tobin Rozelle

Eat Local Food

637 Emmons Blvd.

Wyandotte, MI  48192

734.341.7028

 

www.eatlocalfood.com

Visit our blog at http://blog.eatlocalfood.com/

 

Governor Granholm Proclaims May 16-22 as Local Foods Week in Michigan

Hi all,

Next week is an exciting week for Farm to School in Michigan!

·         Governor Granholm proclaimed May 16-22 as Local Food Week  - http://www.hillsdale.net/living/x1560859286/Governor-Granholm-Proclaims-May-16-22-as-Local-Foods-Week-in-Michigan.

·         Gordon Food Service is working with schools throughout the state to bring Michigan grown and processed products to cafeterias through the MI Products – MY MICHIGAN – MI School Lunch promotion. (See press release and menus from Haslett Public Schools attached.)

·         And the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, with nearly 650 people registered so far, is coming to Detroit! Registrations will be accepted at the door so it’s still not too late to join in on the exciting conference activities! See the conference website - www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org – for more information.

 

I’ll be in touch again in the near future to recap the week’s events. In the meantime, I hope to see many of you in Detroit at the conference!

 

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

 

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu Booklet Now Available!

May 5, 2010

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu: How to Buy and Use Michigan Produce in Your Institution

 Booklet Now Available

 

A new booklet is now available to help food service professionals at Michigan institutions like schools, hospitals, colleges and universities purchase, handle, and use Michigan-grown foods year round. Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu: How to Buy and Use Michigan Produce in Your Institution is now freely available for download at several websites including Michigan Farm to School (www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu), C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems (www.mottgroup.msu.edu) at Michigan State University, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS, www.miffs.org), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA, www.michigan.gov/mda).

 

This publication provides tools including suggestions for connecting with local farmers, purchase and use equivalencies, and food safety and storage tips to help food service professionals find local food sources, purchase appropriate amounts for larger-quantity recipes, and properly handle and store fresh produce. A new Michigan Produce Availability guide is included. The guide indicates not only field fresh availability but also year-round availability of Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs through storing and season extension and greenhouse production. By purchasing and using more locally-grown foods, Michigan institutions can continue to support Michigan’s farmers, food businesses, and the economy while providing fresh, good food to customers.

 

Putting Michigan Produce on Your Menu was developed by members of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University (Mott Group) and partners at MIFFS, MDA, and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA). Funding was provided by the Mott Group. This publication contributes to its mission to engage communities in applied research and outreach to promote sustainable food systems and improve access and availability of locally produced food.

 

###

 

 

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: Genesee County Farm to School Meet & Greet - May 5th

 

This is just a reminder of this event in Genesee County tomorrow afternoon! Please RSVP to me if you plan to attend.

 

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

 

 

 

 

Farm to School

Meet & Greet

 

Farm to School is growing in Michigan! At this event, Michigan farmers can meet school food  service directors from Genesee and surrounding counties who are interested in purchasing local foods for school meals programs. Take advantage of this growing market opportunity!

 

Join us for this Meet & Greet to get your questions answered. Participating school food service directors will discuss:

·      Products of interest to schools

·      Competitive bidding procedures

·      Delivery, packaging, and payment arrangements

·      And much more!

 

WHEN: Wednesday, May 5, 2010

4-6:00 pm

WHERE: Genesee Intermediate School District

Health, Safety, and Nutrition Services

2284 S. Ballenger Highway

Flint, MI 48503

 

 

 

This event is free of charge. Please RSVP to Colleen Matts at matts@msu.edu or

517-432-0310.

 

 

 

 

 

Please spread the word, and feel free to share this email and/or attached flyer with your friends, colleagues, and neighbors.