2015 Michigan Junior Chef Competition

 

The 2015 Michigan Junior Chef Competition is underway!!

 

Fresh, local foods, creativity, and teamwork will give you an edge in this

fun-filled recipe contest and cooking competition!

 

First, student teams submit recipes that are fit for a healthy school breakfast meal and

feature local, seasonal foods. Recipe contest submissions due by March 25, 2015.

 

Next, up to 8 teams will be selected to bring their recipes to life in a cook-off

competition at Michigan State University on May 13, 2015.

 

Open to all 7th-12th grade students enrolled in Michigan schools. Teams must

consist of 3-4 students and at least one adult coach.

 

For additional details:

·       Visit https://sites.google.com/site/michiganjrchef/ for rules and more information.

·        Take a look at the attached promotional flyer.

·        Register for an informational conference call March 10 at 10am: http://ow.ly/J1MKK  or March 12 at 2pm: http://ow.ly/J1MXw

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan Team Nutrition

Nick Drzal (drzaln@michigan.gov), Whitney Vance (VanceW@michigan.gov) and Emily Purves (PurvesE@michigan.gov)

 

 

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

MIFMA is Hiring a Hoophouses for Health Program Manager

Please share this position posting widely.  

The Hoophouses for Health Program Manager will focus on administering and expanding the Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) Hoophouses for Health program coordinated by the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) and the MSU Department of Horticulture. The application deadline is February 28, 2015, or until a suitable candidate is identified. The application process is explained in detail online at http://mifma.org/2015/02/mifma-seeking-a-hoophouses-for-health-program-manager/.  The position will begin in March 2015.

Position Duties:

• Develop and maintain a positive working relationship with all farmers market sites and community distribution partners participating in Hoophouses for Health
• Develop processes for and track voucher distribution and redemption in all participating communities
• Provide information, support, training and technical assistance for eligible community, school and early care partners, farmers markets and farmers
• Facilitate and organize meetings with program partners to ensure cooperation and support implementation at the local level including monthly program wide conference calls
• Identify and develop relationships with nutrition educators and nutrition education programs in close proximity to program partners
• Develop content for program promotional materials and distribute program information
• Develop resources, publications, webinars and presentations
• Document and share program work and accomplishments, maintain regular internal and external communication about program activities, and develop and report on an annual plan of work
• Represent Hoophouses for Health at local and state meetings with ability to travel required
• Participate in relevant MIFMA and CRFS work as interest and time allows
• Report to and collaborate with project principal investigators and evaluators

Thank you for helping us find the right person for this opportunity,

Dru

Dru Montri, Ph.D.

Director

Michigan Farmers Market Association

 

480 Wilson Road, Room 172D

East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517-432-3381

Fx: 517-353-7961

www.mifma.org

Michigan Vendor Webinar on 2/24 - USDA Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables

Attention Michigan farmers and food vendors,

 

Please see information below about an upcoming webinar that may be of interest to Michigan suppliers of minimally processed fruits and vegetables.

 

In December 2014, the USDA announced eight states selected to participate in a new Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables –and Michigan was one of them! According to the initial press release from the USDA, “this pilot is designed to support the schools’ pre-existing relationships with vendors, growers, produce wholesalers, and distributors, and increase the use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables in school meal programs. While the pilot does not require sourcing locally grown foods, the project will enable schools to increase their use of locally-grown, unprocessed fruits and vegetables from AMS authorized vendors. Unprocessed fruits and vegetables include products that are minimally processed such as sliced apples, baby carrots, and shredded lettuce.” Visit the project website for more information and learn more about vendor qualifications in this information sheet.

 

The USDA is now reaching out to potential food vendors of minimally-processed fruits and vegetables for this program in each participating state.

They will host a webinar for interested Michigan-based food vendors on Tuesday, February 24^th from 2 – 3 pm.

 

Register here to participate in the webinar.

 

Then, at the appointed time, please use this link to view the webinar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=2MG7WJ&role=attend&pw=H%3C5%25%3F.Dsc; Meeting ID: 2MG7WJ; Entry Code: H<5%?.Dsc

To hear the webinar, please dial: 888-324-6921, Passcode: 2987579

 

The webinar agenda follows:

·     Introduction – Pilot Objectives and Key Players

·     Pilot Process

·     Vendor Eligibility Requirements

·     Application Submission

·     Transaction/Distribution Scenarios

·     Invoice Submission and Payment

·     Reporting

·     Q&A

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Urban Farmer Tune Up programs in Flint and Novi this spring - a location update!

We have an update on the Urban Farmer Tune Up programs in Flint and Novi this March – the Flint workshop location will now be at the new Flint Farmers Market!

 

Urban Farmer Tune-Up Workshops this spring!

 

Join us for a comprehensive look at produce growing to either hone your current skills, develop new strategies, or better understand weeds and diseases.

This class is for anyone growing produce (or wishing to) in urban environments. 

The same workshop will be offered on two different days – in Flint on Friday March 20 and in Novi on Saturday March 21, hosted by MSU Extension.

 

DAY:      March 20, 2015 - Flint

               March 21, 2015 - Novi

 

TIME: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm – the morning track is 9am – 12pm; and the afternoon track is 1pm-4pm; lunch (12pm-1pm) is included with full day registration

 

LOCATION: 

Friday, MARCH 20TH, 2015: Flint Farmer’s Market, 300 E. First St., Flint, MI 48502 – co-sponsored by MSU Extension- Genesee and Flint Food Works!!!

Saturday, MARCH 21, 2015:  MSU Extension Tollgate Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI 48377

 

FEE:   $35.00 Full day / $20.00 Half day; Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT: http://events.anr.msu.edu/urbantuneup/

Program brochure is available at the registration link above!

 

AGENDA:  

Morning Track:

  Urban soils and preparing a new site

  Extending the season

  Cover crops to build the soil

   Food safety & post-harvest handling

 

Afternoon Track:

   Diagnosing Vegetable Insect Pests

   Disease Management

   Organic Weed Management

   Honey Bee Colony Management

 

If you have any questions on the Flint program, please call 810-244-8530; Novi program, please call 248-347-0269.

 

Hope to see you there!

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

Terry McLean

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

FoodCorps MI Host Site Supervisor

605 N. Saginaw, Suite 1A, Flint 48502

Office: 810-244-8530

Cell: 810-938-8818

mcleant@anr.msu.edu

http://news.msue.msu.edu 

 

Research and education delivered locally

 

 

School Garden Workshop in Traverse City

STARTING AND SUSTAINING A SCHOOL GARDEN

Come understand the steps to plan, maintain and run a school garden while integrating garden activities into your curriculum to meet state standards. From gardening basics to building a garden team as well as curriculum activities, this workshop is designed for hands-on educators interested in gaining the technical knowledge necessary to start a garden. Learn how to engage your students in the outdoor classroom or choose to bring the concepts indoors. School garden hands-on activities are presented as a strategy for meeting curriculum content expectations as outlined in the Common Core State Standards.

 

DAY: Thursday, February 27, 2015

TIME:  Event begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.  Sign in begins 15 minutes prior to the event. 

LOCATION:  TBAISD Career Tech Center 880 Parsons Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 (231)922-6273 

FEE:   $75.00 Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT:    http://events.anr.msu.edu/tbagardenworkshop/ 

REGISTER BY:  February 19, 2015

SCHECHs provided upon approval

Lunch provided

Pre-registration required

For more information, contact Cathy Meyer at cmeyer@tbaisd.org  or  (231) 922-6338

For information about partial scholarships, please contact Kristine Hahn at hahnk@msu.edu or 248-802-4590

 

Kristine Hahn

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

Eastern Market Office

1445 Adelaide

Detroit, MI 48207

313-567-9701

248-802-4590 (CELL)

313-567-8726 (FAX)

NEW LOCATION and phone number

 

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit."  Aristotle

 

Upcoming workshops

STARTING AND SUSTAINING A SCHOOL GARDEN

Come understand the steps to plan, maintain and run a school garden while integrating garden activities into your curriculum to meet state standards. From gardening basics to building a garden team as well as curriculum activities, this workshop is designed for hands-on educators interested in gaining the technical knowledge necessary to start a garden. Learn how to engage your students in the outdoor classroom or choose to bring the concepts indoors. School garden hands-on activities are presented as a strategy for meeting curriculum content expectations as outlined in the Common Core State Standards.

 

DAY: Thursday, March 5, 2015

TIME:  Event begins promptly at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.  Sign in begins 15 minutes prior to the event. 

LOCATION:  MSU Tollgate Education Center 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI

48377

FEE:   $75.00 Pre-registration required

REGISTER AT: http://events.anr.msu.edu/schoolgarden/

REGISTER BY:  March 2, 2015

Lunch provided

Pre-registration required

For more information please contact Kristine Hahn, hahnk@msu.edu or 313-567-9701,

ext. 102

Kristine Hahn

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

Eastern Market Office

1445 Adelaide

Detroit, MI 48207

313-567-9701

248-802-4590 (CELL)

313-567-8726 (FAX)

NEW LOCATION and phone number

 

"We are what we repeatedly do.  Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit."  Aristotle

 

Seeking local leaders: FoodCorps application is open!

To the Michigan Farm to School listserve,

 

As the FoodCorps Michigan Host Site Supervisor, I’m excited to announce that FoodCorps applications are open for new service members for the upcoming program year that begins on September 1, 2015! FoodCorps, a national service organization that connects children in underserved communities to healthy food in order to help them grow up healthy, has opened applications for its fifth annual class of service members. The selected emerging leaders will dedicate one year of full-time public service in school food systems – expanding hands-on nutrition education programs, building and tending school gardens, and bringing high quality local foods into school cafeterias. Here’s a link to a recent article on the current FoodCorps MI program year.

 

Here in Michigan we are recruiting new service members for 5 of the 10 available openings next year, as our current 2^nd year service members will graduate out of the program. There will be two spots available in our Detroit based service sites, two spots available in our Traverse City service site, and one spot in our Sault Ste. Marie service site. We will also be looking to fill the FoodCorps Fellow position for next year (as our current Fellow is term limited), please note that position does require previous experience with the FoodCorps program, either as a service member or a first year Fellow.

 

Please see the information below and share it with your networks, if you would!

If you have any questions, contact myself or Daniel Marbury, our current FoodCorps MI Fellow, at daniel.marbury@foodcorps.org or 231-714-9730.

 

Thanks,

 

Terry

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Terry McLean/MSU Extension Educator

FoodCorps MI Host Site Supervisor

MSUE-Genesee 605 N. Saginaw St. Suite 1A, Flint, 48502

810-244-8530 - office

810-938-8818 - cell

mcleant@anr.msu.edu

http://news.msue.msu.edu 

Click here for more information on the FoodCorps MI Program

Follow us on Facebook!

 

Subject: Seeking local leaders: FoodCorps application is open!

 

To view this email as a web page, go here.

 

January 12, 2015     Dear Friend of FoodCorps, Have you been looking for an opportunity to help improve kids' health? To get your hands dirty? To help your community thrive? To create real, lasting change that tastes as good as a freshly dug carrot and lasts as long as an apple tree?  Become a FoodCorps service member and you could get started on all of those goals in 2015! >> Since September, our current crop of 182 service members has reached over 100,000 kids in limited resource communities around the country, introducing them to sweet potatoes, teaching them how to make hummus, bringing them out into the garden to grow seedlings into hardy greens, and giving them a shot at a healthier future.?????? At the same time, through their service, our members are learning new skills and paving the way towards their future careers as educators, farmers, chefs, and public health advocates. The FoodCorps application is now open. We are seeking up to 210 leaders to help kids in their communities grow up healthy through our three-ingredient recipe for change: food and nutrition education that gives kids the information they need to make smart choices; hands-on activities like gardening and cooking that foster skills and pride around healthy food; and lunch trays filled with nutritious meals from local farms. Read more and apply here >> We hope you'll join us, Curt Ellis Co-Founder and CEO P.S. Know leaders who would be a great fit? Forward this email to them!

This email was sent to: mcleant@anr.msu.edu This email was sent by: FoodCorps 281 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10010, We respect your right to privacy - view our policy
Update Profile and Subscription Preferences | Unsubscribe From All Emails