Upcoming Consultant Opportunities

Hi all,

We're spreading the word that the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub has released three Request for Proposals for consultants/organizations to help us launch the program. You may have seen the Innovation Hub announcement in March that shared it's an initiative to develop innovative solutions for sourcing nutritious foods in school meals through sub-grants and more. 

Feel free to share along these opportunities to any consultants/organizations that might be interested! The deadline for proposals is 6:00pm ET on May 25, 2023.

RFA Development Consultant

Communications/Marketing and/or Website Consultant(s)
Salesforce Grants Management Integration Consultant

Best,

Megan

Megan McManus 

(she/her/hers)

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Road – Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

e: mcmanu60@msu.edu

w: https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/​

For Immediate Release: Ypsilanti Farmers Markets & Growing Hope's 20th Birthday

Good afternoon,

We would love to see you at the Farmers Market every Saturday or at our Birthday Gathering on May 21. See the attached press releases for more details. Please share within your networks. 

Best,

Julius

--

Julius Buzzard

Executive Director

(Pronouns: he/him/his)

734.786.8401 Office

734.389.5045 Cell

Schedule a Meeting | Donate | Follow us on Facebook & Instagram 

Growing Hope fosters an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare and eat nourishing food. 

MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

May is School Lunch Hero Month in MI

Greetings,

Hope you are all having a wonderful School Lunch Hero Day! We'd like to kick the weekend off by sharing the news that Governor Whitmer has proclaimed May as School Lunch Hero Month in Michigan (see proclamation attached). Thanks to Governor Whitmer and partners at the Michigan departments of Education (MDE) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) for recognizing the hard work and commitment that school nutrition professionals make to prepare nourishing meals for our schoolchildren.

Also, please see the press release below about the Michigan 2023 School Lunch Hero Award. This year, MDARD and MDE awarded Carl Williams, executive director for the Detroit Public Schools Community District for his work to provide healthy school meals while using Michigan-grown foods.

Happy School Lunch Hero Month!

Megan McManus 

(she/her/hers)

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Road – Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

e: mcmanu60@msu.edu

w: https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/​

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From: Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development <MDARD@govsubscriptions.michigan.gov>

Subject: Detroit Public Schools Community District's Office of School Nutrition Awarded 2023 School Lunch Hero Award

 

For immediate release: May 1, 2022 MDARD media contact: Chelsea Lewis-Parisio, 517-331-1151 MDE media contact: Marty Ackley, 517-241-4395 Detroit Public Schools Community District's Office of School Nutrition Awarded 2023 School Lunch Hero Award Detroit, MI – While National School Lunch Hero Day is on May 5, today the Michigan departments of Education (MDE) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) celebrated by honoring Carl Williams, an executive director for the Detroit Public Schools Community District's (DPSCD) Office of School Nutrition (OSN), for his efforts to provide healthy, fresh and local meals at their schools. The annual observance showcases the important role school nutrition professional make in the lives of every child who comes through their cafeteria line. MDARD Director Tim Boring and MDE's Deputy Superintendent Dr. Diane Golzynski were on hand to recognize Williams for his commitment the students in his district and dedication for food service to the schoolchildren at DPSCD.    "I'm thankful for people like Carl and all the food service professionals who work daily to provide nutritious meals to Michigan schoolchildren and are also supporting our local farmers through the Farm to School Program," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "By purchasing Michigan-grown and produced products, schools cultivate a farm-to-fork connection while educating our young Michiganders about where their food comes from, and, simultaneously, support local farms and businesses, keeping local economies strong and preserving farmland." Carl Williams is the executive director for DPSCD's Office of School Nutrition and is responsible for school-based meal operations in 107 schools for all of their United States Department of Agriculture child nutrition programs and non-program sales, employees and services; training programs for all levels of staff, managing external business relationships with vendors, school principals, and non-profit organizations. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Ashford University specializing in Finance. "MDE is proud of the enormous efforts DPSCD and others around the state have made to assure our children are healthy and safe at school," said MDE's Deputy Superintendent Dr. Diane Golzynski. "The combination of these efforts with proposals such as the Governor's Healthy School Meals for All budget recommendation will continue to push Michigan toward achieving the goals of the Top 10 State Strategic Education Plan." The Charles R. Drew Transition Center is a pre-vocational center within the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The Charles R. Drew center is housed in the former Drew Middle School which, in the year 2011, underwent a $5.2 million renovation that allows Detroit Public Schools Community District to adequately serve approximately 600 students who previously attended Detroit Transition Center East and Detroit Transition Center West. In 2022, Cinamon Marker of Elkton Pigeon Bayport Laker Schools and Nathan Bates, of Boyne Falls Public School were recognized for their outstanding work within Michigan's school food service industry. To learn more about Farm to School efforts in Michigan, visit Michigan Farm to School (msu.edu). ###       QUESTIONS?   Contact Us   Phone: 800-292-3939     STAY CONNECTED:

MDE Farm Guide RFQ Announcement

Good afternoon,

I'm forwarding along this announcement for a Contractor from the Office of Health and Nutrition Services at the Michigan Department of Education. Work would be related to identifying and building a statewide comprehensive farm and vendor guide. Please see more information below about the position below!

Best,

Megan

Megan McManus 

(she/her/hers)

Farm to Institution Specialist

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

480 Wilson Road – Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

w: https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/​

---

From: Crowley, Wendy (MDE) <CrowleyW@michigan.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 12:32 PM

Subject: Farm Guide RFQ announcement

The Office of Health and Nutrition Services (OHNS) at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is responsible for administering the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms (10 Cents) program, Michigan's local food investment program that provides schools, early childhood education centers, and other organizations participating in USDA Child Nutrition programs with match incentive funding to purchase and serve Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. The goals of 10 Cents are to improve daily nutrition and eating habits for Michigan's children and to invest in Michigan's agriculture and related local food business economy.

 

OHNS is seeking a Contractor to carry out a 3-phase strategy aimed at strengthening the network farms/producers and USDA Child Nutrition program sponsors by identifying and building a comprehensive farm and vendor guide for Michigan. First, the selected contractor must conduct a landscape analysis of existing farm resource guides available both in and outside of Michigan, provide a summary of the collected data, and survey relevant stakeholders to determine gaps in available data. Second, the selected contractor will collect data to fill in gaps in available data and assemble/build the resource database to be used and housed internally. Lastly, the contractor will provide recommendations or best practices for how MDE can/should display these resources. Examples of display recommendations might include the use of interactive, web-based, or other electronic guides to be used by 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms grantees. The selected contractor is not being asked to display this resource as the internal IT infrastructure at MDE provides the scaffolding needed to support public and/or partner access to this database.

 

Proposal deadline* 2:00 p.m. Eastern Thursday, May 11, 2023

Review the bid directly  CGI Advantage Vendor Self Service Portal: Home (michigan.gov)

 

Thank you!

 

Wendy K. Crowley

Farm to Program Consultant

Child Nutrition Programs

Michigan Department of Education

crowleyw@michigan.gov

 

 

Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan provides focused direction to drive educational achievement in support of all learners.

 

 

Apply by April 30 - Groundwork Farm to Institution Specialist

HIRING FARM TO INSTITUTION SPECIALIST
Full job description

Direct questions to Jen Schaap 231-941-6584 x708

Salary Range: $48,000 to $56,500, full time, 40 hours per week
Deadline to apply: Thursday April 30, 2023 11:59pm
Location: Petoskey, Michigan

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking a detail-oriented, creative individual to join our Food and Farming team. The Farm to Institution Specialist will have strong outreach, organizing, leadership and communication skills, and is eager to help support the advancement of the local food and farming economy in northern Michigan, specifically, in Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties, as well as the surrounding area.

The ideal candidate will be excited about Groundwork's mission and is a flexible, innovative, and engaging individual who is at home in business, community, and governmental settings; understands the economic, social, and policy basics of farm to school and food access programs; is experienced in how schools and kitchens operate; and has a strong passion for local food and farming issues, protecting our environment, and building resilient communities.

The position is full time, approximately 40 hours per week, and will report to the Food and Farming Program Director.

The Farm to Institution Specialist responsibilities include, but not limited to, the following:

• Work with the food and farming program director and an advisory committee to identify and advance key local food and farming initiatives in Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties
  
• Support a burgeoning farm to school movement through engagement with local farmers, school administrators, intermediate school district staff, teachers, parents and other stakeholders
  
• Oversee the local FoodCorps program, including supporting additional schools in their efforts to source local food for their school lunch programs, integrating farm to school activities with curriculum, and supporting school gardens
  
• Support regional food pantries in their efforts to offer more healthful, local food to all members of our community
  
• And, serve as a community liaison by working collaboratively with other individuals and organizations advancing the local food and farming economy throughout Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties.
  

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* My working hours may not be your working hours. Please do not feel the need to respond outside of your working hours.*

JEN SCHAAP  |  Food and Farming Program Director

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

P    231-941-6584 x708

W  groundworkcenter.org

F   Groundwork Center

T   @grndwk

A  313 Howard St, Unit B  |  Petoskey, MI 49770

pronouns: she/her/hers

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is a Traverse City based non-profit. Our work is member-funded and community-driven. Protect what you love. Become a member of Groundwork today.

MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Job posting: Farm to School Coordinator in Traverse City

Farm to School Coordinator

Northwest Education Services in Traverse City is seeking an individual with passion for building healthy schools and communities to join our School Health team. 

Job Summary:
The Farm to School Program works with schools and communities to plan and implement programming focused on promoting student health and wellness through engaging learning activities centered around nutrition, fresh foods, and local agriculture. The Farm to School Coordinator will work with elementary schools in the Northwest Education Services (North Ed) service region to implement Farm to School activities such as classroom and garden lessons, taste tests, family cooking classes, Pop Up Farmers Markets, and school garden support. The position will also collaborate with partner organization Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities on broader initiatives such as increasing local procurement in school food service and organizing training or networking opportunities for school and local food stakeholders. The position will also support the Nutrition Facilitator with some SNAP Education nutrition lessons and activities. This is a grant funded position that will require grant writing. The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, experience working with children, garden/agriculture knowledge, and a passion for building healthy schools and communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement monthly farm to school and garden-based lessons at 2-3 elementary schools
• Conduct monthly taste tests at 2-3 elementary schools
• Facilitate local food events such as Pop Up Farmers Markets and family cooking classes
• Support school gardens through supplies purchasing, advising, and planning
• Lead Peer Learning Network gatherings with regional farm to school stakeholders 
• Support schools with local food purchasing and 10 Cents a Meal
• Support Nutrition Facilitator with SNAP Education nutrition lessons and activities
• Identify and apply for funding opportunities for the Farm to School program

Compensation: $24/hour, full-time, 230 days/year contract, health & retirement benefits

For a full description and to apply, go to the posting on North Ed's employment page:

Farm to School Coordinator Posting

ELENA MOSHER
Farm to School Coordinator and Nutrition Facilitator,  Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD)
1101 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
emosher@NorthwestEd.org  |  231.633.7418  
She, her, hers 

MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Announcing the Michigan Good Food Summit Keynote Speaker

2023 Summit Agenda Since 2010, people across the state and country have gathered at the Michigan Good Food Summit to network, share, reflect, and learn about good food work happening in Michigan. Aligned with the goals and priorities of the Michigan Good Food Charter, the biennial Michigan Good Food Summit aims to advance good food in Michigan by amplifying the stories and efforts of people across the state. On Friday, May 19, we are excited to host a hybrid event with in-person and virtual participation options. The Keynote Speaker Shiloh Maples is an Anishinaabe community organizer, seed keeper, and storyteller. During her time as a student, Shiloh recognized the powerful potential of food systems to heal and transform communities. Since then, Shiloh has been committed to serving the Indigenous food sovereignty movement and revitalizing her own ancestral foodways. Shiloh is currently the Program Manager for Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance. Read her full bio The Agenda-at-a-glance • Friday, May 19 • Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing or virtual 8:30-10 AM OPENING ● Registration, Refreshments & Networking   10AM-Noon MORNING SESSION ● Opening Remarks ● Keynote ● Summit Storytellers ● Q+A 12:10-1:10PM LUNCH BREAK ● In-person: Lunch provided   1:15-3PM DISCUSSION BREAKOUTS ● In-person/online   Topics: Coordinate Food Policy Action  Strengthen Michigan Local/Regional Value Chains  Care for & Connection to the Land and Ecosystems  Design and Learn Together  Culturally Relevant Food and Health Connections  Open Session/Unsession  3:15-4PM CLOSING ● Share back & Celebration  Learn more and register here! Questions? Please contact Rachel Kelly at kellyra2@msu.edu or Diane Drago ddrago@dmsevents.com ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ You are receiving this email because you signed up for Michigan Good Food updates and/or participated in Michigan Good Food Charter activities like the Michigan Good Food Summit. If you would like to update your subscriptions or stop receiving these emails, click the "Update Profile" or "Unsubscribe" link below.

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