FW: USDA Releases Farm to School Grant Program Applications

Hello All, 

With the suggested letters of intent for the USDA FtS Grant Program quickly approaching, I'm interested (as are others i'm sure!) in learning just how many, if any, of our Michigan Farm to School-ers are considering applying? As you'll note letters of intent are due to USDA by May 18, 2012 with proposals due shortly after by June 15, 2012. 

Jekeia 

--

Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

 (formerly C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems)

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Road

309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI  48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu 

From: "Matts, Colleen" <matts@ANR.MSU.EDU>
Reply-To: "Matts, Colleen" <matts@ANR.MSU.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:29 PM
To: "MIFARMTOSCHOOL@LIST.MSU.EDU" <MIFARMTOSCHOOL@LIST.MSU.EDU>
Subject: FW: USDA Releases Farm to School Grant Program Applications

Hi all,

Please see more info below about the new USDA Farm to School grant program!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, formerly the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

From: National Farm to School Network [mailto:chelsey@farmtoschool.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 4:38 PM
To: Matts, Colleen
Subject: USDA Releases Farm to School Grant Program Applications

 

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USDA releases Farm to School grant program applications      Today the USDA released the request for applications (RFA) for the new Farm to School grant program. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 established funding for grants to support the planning and implementation of Farm to School programs. In this first funding cycle, USDA anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grant funding to support efforts that improve access to local foods in eligible schools.       Read more about the grant process and download the RFA here.   Grant funds will be made available on a competitive basis, subject to availability of Federal funds. Applicants are encouraged to first submit a letter of intent and then apply for either a planning grant or an implementation grant. Planning grants are expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000 and represent approximately 25 percent of the total awards. Implementation grants are expected to range from $65,000 - $100,000 and represent approximately 75 percent of the total awards. Both grant types require at least a 25 percent funding match.         Important dates: May 15, 1 p.m. EST -  Webinar (implementation grants) May 17, 1 p.m. EST -  Webinar (planning grants) May 18 - Letter of Intent Deadline (suggested) June 15 -  Applications Due For information about USDA webinars and other updates, be sure to sign up for the USDA Farm to School Listserve.     If you have questions about the grant process, contact: Deborah Kane, 503-326-2010 National Director, Farm to School Program, Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) or Gregory Walton, 703-305-1575 Grants Management Specialist, FNS        The National Farm to School Network supports the work of local Farm to School programs all over the country by providing free training and technical assistance, information services, networking, and support for policy, media and marketing. NFSN is a project of Tides Center..

 

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Re: Manistee area Farm to School Bid Request

Apologies again - bid request attached here!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, formerly the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

From: Matts, Colleen
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 1:07 PM
To: mifarmtoschool@list.msu.edu; farmmktmi@list.msu.edu
Cc: Momber, Jenice; Kathy Gutowski (kgutowski@manistee.org)
Subject: Manistee area Farm to School Bid Request

 

(Apologies for cross posting)

 

Greetings producers and vendors,

 

Manistee Area Public Schools, Kaleva Norman Dickson School District, and Bear Lake Schools are now accepting proposals for Michigan fruits and vegetables, including apples, asparagus, blueberries, sweet corn, sweet cherries, green beans, lettuce, pears, plums, potatoes, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelon. Proposals will be accepted for locally-grown products for the 2012/2013 school year for all schools, but proposals will also be accepted for delivery for the summer food service program at Manistee High School. Attached in the bid packet are a cover letter with instructions and more details, a vendor questionnaire and a product availability and pricing form for you to complete should you wish for consideration. Proposals must be submitted by 12 noon on June 4^th, 2012.

 

Please contact directly the school food/nutrition service directors with any questions:

 

Kathy Gutowski                                                          Jenice Momber

Director of Nutrition Services                                     Kaleva Norman Dickson and Bear Lake

Manistee Area Public Schools                                    School Districts

525 12^th St.                                                                 Food Service Director

Manistee, MI 49660                                                    4400 N High Bridge Rd                      

231-398-3695                                                              Brethren, MI 49619

kgutowski@manistee.org                                           231-477-5353 ext. 304                                   

jmomber@manistee.org

 

 

 

Thanks for your consideration,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, formerly the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Manistee area Farm to School Bid Request

(Apologies for cross posting)

 

Greetings producers and vendors,

 

Manistee Area Public Schools, Kaleva Norman Dickson School District, and Bear Lake Schools are now accepting proposals for Michigan fruits and vegetables, including apples, asparagus, blueberries, sweet corn, sweet cherries, green beans, lettuce, pears, plums, potatoes, summer squash, winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelon. Proposals will be accepted for locally-grown products for the 2012/2013 school year for all schools, but proposals will also be accepted for delivery for the summer food service program at Manistee High School. Attached in the bid packet are a cover letter with instructions and more details, a vendor questionnaire and a product availability and pricing form for you to complete should you wish for consideration. Proposals must be submitted by 12 noon on June 4^th, 2012.

 

Please contact directly the school food/nutrition service directors with any questions:

 

Kathy Gutowski                                                          Jenice Momber

Director of Nutrition Services                                     Kaleva Norman Dickson and Bear Lake

Manistee Area Public Schools                                    School Districts

525 12^th St.                                                                 Food Service Director

Manistee, MI 49660                                                    4400 N High Bridge Rd                      

231-398-3695                                                              Brethren, MI 49619

kgutowski@manistee.org                                           231-477-5353 ext. 304                                   

jmomber@manistee.org

 

 

 

Thanks for your consideration,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, formerly the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Announcing the new MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

 

Greetings Michigan Farm to School partners and friends,

We are pleased to announce the creation of the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, a Michigan State University initiative that addresses the potential for more regionally-integrated food systems to promote equity, sustainability and thriving local economies.  The newly-established center will bring together the applied research, education, and outreach expertise of faculty and staff at MSU to advance understanding of and engagement with regional food systems throughout Michigan, the United States, and the world.  The Center’s efforts will leverage the earlier work and partnerships of MSU’s former C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems and the MSU Student Organic Farm, as the two organizations come together to form the Center for Regional Food Systems. 

For more information, please see the full press release attached or at http://foodsystems.msu.edu/uploads/file/CRFSPressRelease.pdf.

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

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, formerly the CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

matts@msu.edu

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

Re: Michigan Farm to School Grant Program Info Session Recording

 coffee pot is out so you can stop in anytime. Thanks, April

--- Original message ---
Subject: Michigan Farm to School Grant Program Info Session Recording
From: "Murphy, Jekeia" <stilljek@ANR.MSU.EDU>
To: <MIFARMTOSCHOOL@LIST.MSU.EDU>
Date: Wednesday, 05/02/2012 3:54 PM

Thanks to all that were able to participate in one or both of our Michigan Farm to School Grant Program Info Sessions last month! 

Recordings of both of the Q&A portions of the 4/20/12 Info session and the entire presentation with Q&A portion from 4/27/12 are available now! Please follow the links listed below to hear/watch the recordings, these will also be available on the website: www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu with other grant program applications and materials. Please remember MI Farm to School Grant Program applications must be submitted to Jekeia Murphy by 5pm on Friday, May 4, 2012. 

Info Session recordings can be accessed using the following links: 

4/20/12 – Q&A portion only (http://csmottgroup.adobeconnect.com/p9bq7r23udn/)

4/27/12 – Entire Session (http://csmottgroup.adobeconnect.com/p5nv5dlysd6/)

Many Thanks!

Jekeia 

--

Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

 (formerly C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems)

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Road

309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI  48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu 

From: Jekeia Murphy <stilljek@anr.msu.edu>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:17:52 -0400
To: Jekeia Murphy <stilljek@anr.msu.edu>
Cc: "Matts, Colleen" <matts@anr.msu.edu>
Subject: Announcing the 2012-2013 Michigan Farm to School Grant Program!

Announcing the 2012-2013 Michigan Farm to School Grant Program!

 

Food service directors must often work through numerous challenges to start or expand farm to school programs. The goal of the MI Farm to School Grant Program is to help overcome some of these challenges, and initiate and expand farm to school programs across the state.

 

With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MI Farm to School Grant Program was able to award EIGHT Michigan K-12 schools/districts with funds to plan for or implement farm to school programs in 2011.  The second grant program year is September 1, 2012 – June 1, 2013, early childcare programs are eligible to apply for planning grants.

 

·         The MI Farm to School Planning Grant will help schools and early childcare programs plan for integrating fresh, local foods into cafeterias AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Action Plan to implement a farm to school program after the grant year.

·         The MI Farm to School Implementation Grant will help schools put existing farm to school plans into action AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Sustainability Plan to keep a farm to school program going and growing in future years.

Eligibility:

·         A goal of this program is to help vulnerable children find more healthy and local food choices in school meals programs. K-12 school food service programs must have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment and at least 50% of early childcare program participants must be eligible to receive Tier I reimbursement rates at the time this application is completed.

 

·         Only school food service/nutrition directors can apply for their school district(s) or school(s). Food service directors from a school district may choose to focus on a few school buildings or an entire school district's food service program, but the district must have 50% free and reduced price meal enrollment. Private or charter schools may apply as an individual school.

·         Only one application for either the planning or implementation grant (not both) is allowed per district or private/charter school per grant year. 

 

Please review the application materials and sample grant applications attached for more information. You can also find these materials on our website athttp://www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu/index.php?id=48. 

 

To be reviewed, complete applications must be received by 5 pm EST on Friday, May 4^th, 2012. Email completed application as an attachment to Jekeia Murphy at stilljek@msu.edu.

 

 

Best,

 

Jekeia 

--

Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

 (formerly C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems)

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Road

309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI  48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu 

Michigan Farm to School Grant Program Info Session Recording

Thanks to all that were able to participate in one or both of our Michigan Farm to School Grant Program Info Sessions last month! 

Recordings of both of the Q&A portions of the 4/20/12 Info session and the entire presentation with Q&A portion from 4/27/12 are available now! Please follow the links listed below to hear/watch the recordings, these will also be available on the website: www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu with other grant program applications and materials. Please remember MI Farm to School Grant Program applications must be submitted to Jekeia Murphy by 5pm on Friday, May 4, 2012. 

Info Session recordings can be accessed using the following links: 

4/20/12 – Q&A portion only (http://csmottgroup.adobeconnect.com/p9bq7r23udn/)

4/27/12 – Entire Session (http://csmottgroup.adobeconnect.com/p5nv5dlysd6/)

Many Thanks!

Jekeia 

--

Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

 (formerly C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems)

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Road

309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI  48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu 

From: Jekeia Murphy <stilljek@anr.msu.edu>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 17:17:52 -0400
To: Jekeia Murphy <stilljek@anr.msu.edu>
Cc: "Matts, Colleen" <matts@anr.msu.edu>
Subject: Announcing the 2012-2013 Michigan Farm to School Grant Program!

Announcing the 2012-2013 Michigan Farm to School Grant Program!

 

Food service directors must often work through numerous challenges to start or expand farm to school programs. The goal of the MI Farm to School Grant Program is to help overcome some of these challenges, and initiate and expand farm to school programs across the state.

 

With funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MI Farm to School Grant Program was able to award EIGHT Michigan K-12 schools/districts with funds to plan for or implement farm to school programs in 2011.  The second grant program year is September 1, 2012 – June 1, 2013, early childcare programs are eligible to apply for planning grants.

 

·         The MI Farm to School Planning Grant will help schools and early childcare programs plan for integrating fresh, local foods into cafeterias AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Action Plan to implement a farm to school program after the grant year.

·         The MI Farm to School Implementation Grant will help schools put existing farm to school plans into action AND ultimately develop a Farm to School Sustainability Plan to keep a farm to school program going and growing in future years.

Eligibility:

·         A goal of this program is to help vulnerable children find more healthy and local food choices in school meals programs. K-12 school food service programs must have at least 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment and at least 50% of early childcare program participants must be eligible to receive Tier I reimbursement rates at the time this application is completed.

 

·         Only school food service/nutrition directors can apply for their school district(s) or school(s). Food service directors from a school district may choose to focus on a few school buildings or an entire school district's food service program, but the district must have 50% free and reduced price meal enrollment. Private or charter schools may apply as an individual school.

·         Only one application for either the planning or implementation grant (not both) is allowed per district or private/charter school per grant year. 

 

Please review the application materials and sample grant applications attached for more information. You can also find these materials on our website athttp://www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu/index.php?id=48. 

 

To be reviewed, complete applications must be received by 5 pm EST on Friday, May 4^th, 2012. Email completed application as an attachment to Jekeia Murphy at stilljek@msu.edu.

 

 

Best,

 

Jekeia 

--

Jekeia Murphy
Academic Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems

 (formerly C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems)

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Road

309 Natural Resources bldg.
East Lansing, MI  48824
P: 517-432-0308
F: 517-353-3834
stilljek@msu.edu