MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

Join Cultivate Michigan at the Meet the Buyers event at the 2024 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo (GLEXPO)! It is an opportunity for GLEXPO attendees—farmers and food suppliers—to interact with regional buyers, including distributors, institutions, and retailers. Institutional buyers will be stationed at tables around the room, and suppliers will rotate to meet with buyers of their choice. 10 Cents A Meal grantees are especially encouraged to attend. Find more information and register by 11/29 here: https://lnkd.in/ein2wjQz This event is brought to you by the?Michigan Farm to Institution Network and the??Michigan Department of Education . Special thanks to the organizers of the Great Lakes EXPO for continuing this popular event! This event is made possible through generous funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation . The Michigan Farm to Institution Network is coordinated by the?MSU Center for Regional Food Systems?with support from?Michigan State University Extension.?? #FarmToSchool #MichiganFarm #Michigan #LocalFood

We have so many amazing school food professionals in Michigan! ? Earlier this month I had to the opportunity to present about 10 Cents a Meal evaluation findings and the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub at the School Nutrition Association of Michigan's Annual Conference. Our Michigan Farm to Institution Network also held a Farm to School Marketplace to help schools connect with local farmers and food suppliers. It feels like an understatement to say that I learned so much from the attendees and about their incredible efforts to improve school food. There were so many inspiring projects featured throughout the farm to school track put on by the Michigan Department of Education's Farm to Program team and I'm looking forward to following all the wonderful work to come!

Congratulations Reading Rainbow Early Childhood Development LLC on their Grow More Award! As part of the Growing Healthy Eaters grant project, site owner Dorsea Walton-Mack installed edible learning gardens at the site, including the youth in each step of the process including starting seeds, planting, harvesting, and preparing the produce that was grown. In addition, Ms. Mack offered the children taste tests of seasonal foods purchased from the local farm market with funds from the grant. Ms. Mack partnered with Great Start to Quality to provide an infant/breastfeeding room. Because she wanted to put more emphasis on food preparation and trying new foods, she also applied for the mini-grant for food preparation equipment, and was awarded the funds from the Growing Healthy Eaters grant. She is also now implementing the "Grow It, Try It, Like It" curriculum for childcare providers and is always looking for ways to provide the parents more education and resources. Read more about the 2024 Grow More Awards: https://lnkd.in/dfcUH9Hr #GrowMore #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FarmtoECE

The deadline is approaching to apply to open positions for the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center as part of the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Business Center! ?? Grants Assistance Specialist: will provide grant writing support, training, and other capacity building opportunities for farmers, Indigenous producers, and food business entrepreneurs ?? Partnership Specialist: will provide leadership, coordination, and implementation of activities to drive more equitable and inclusive engagement of and assistance to farmers, Indigenous producers, and food business entrepreneurs Learn more and apply by November 25, 2024 at glm-rfbc.msu.edu/jobs #LocalFood #FarmBusiness #FoodBusiness #FoodSystems #SupportSmallBusiness

Over 70 attendees visited the Cultivate Michigan Meet the Buyers event on Nov. 8, 2024. Hosted by the Michigan Farm to Institution Network, this gathering connected institutional buyers to farmers and other suppliers. This event was held in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education School Nutrition Association of Michigan (MDE-SNAM) Conference. Join us for our next Meet the Buyers event on December 11th at the 2024 Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Great Lakes EXPO! Register by November 29th. More info here: https://loom.ly/jIUhtMI #FarmToSchool #LocalFood #MichiganFarm #FoodSystems

Join the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition & Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center for a webinar on December 5, 2024 to learn about resources to support Tribal food producers. TOPIC : Tribal Food Producer Information Session DATE: December 5, 2024 Registration link: https://lnkd.in/eszkg-Tr Our featured speakers: Jen Falck (Oneida Nation) works for the Menominee Tribe’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems. She has professional experience in environmental health, food safety, tribal administration, and tribal legislation. Her current projects include the Wisconsin Tribal Elder Food Box Program, developing a Menominee Food Code, and helping to rebuild Menominee foodways. Jen is married and has a twenty-one year old daughter in college, a few dogs, and a menagerie of farm animals. Jen and her husband manage Kahulahele Farmstead, an eight acre farmstead which focuses on food sovereignty, restorative agriculture, conscious animal husbandry, building community, and resilience through bartering. Dan Cornelius (Oneida Nation), owner of Yowela Farms, grower of heritage Indigenous crops, raises animals, makes maple syrup, and harvests wild rice. His overall approach seeks to balance modern equipment with inspiration from traditional practices with no-and-minimal tillage for crop production and animals to help cycle nutrients. Dan is also the Outreach Program Manager for the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Great Lakes Indigenous Law Center and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as serving as a judge on the Oneida Appellate Court. @chifoodpolicy @edible-alpha @mitw @nwifoodcouncil

The Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will develop a grant program and a regional network of dedicated technical assistance providers committed to fostering the sustainable success of farm and food enterprises, with a focus on historically underinvested farmers, Indigenous producers, and food business entrepreneurs. To build capacity for this work, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems will hire two new team members. Find the position descriptions and apply here: glm-rfbc.msu.edu/jobs #LocalFood #FarmBusiness #FoodBusiness #FoodSystems #SupportSmallBusiness

Congratulations Dawn's Daycare! Owner Dawn Edwards is committed to creating positive and engaging experiences for children that will ultimately build lifelong healthful habits - from planting their own seeds, to eating fresh and locally grown food, and observing animals on their farm (to name a few). Dawn has the kids plant their own patch of their garden each year and the kids help tend and care for their plants. They also have peach, apple, and plum trees that the children get to experience as a tasty snack right in their own backyard. Each year, Dawn keeps expanding and thinking of more ways to engage the children year-round. She recently successfully applied for a grant-funded greenhouse, so the children can begin planting their seeds earlier in the springtime and to provide a nurturing space that allows light and warmth in the dark cold season. Dawn also recently purchased a freeze dryer, so they can preserve more garden and fresh produce for snacks. Dawn respectfully explains the connection between animals and our food as well. She instills a sense of pride and wonder in the children she cares for. Read more about the 2024 Grow More Awards: https://lnkd.in/dfcUH9Hr #GrowMore #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FarmtoECE

Congratulations Mimi's House Family Childcare! The Grow More Awardee is a Certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom where children spend most of their day outdoors exploring nature and the world around them. While participating in the Growing Healthy Eaters program, Mary Turner, owner of Mimi’s House, has expanded its garden so that children are not only tasting the fresh produce they are growing they are also including it in their menu and meals. They also utilize a CSA produce box where local produce from a local farmer is also incorporated into lessons, taste tests and meals. They try new things weekly and prepare it different ways while exploring the taste, texture, colors and whatever else may come up in their conversations about the food. Read more about the award and awardees: https://loom.ly/VMNb13c #GrowMore #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FarmtoECE

Passionate about creating and sustaining good food systems rooted in Michigan communities? Get involved with the Michigan Good Food Charter: join the Good Food Charter Email list, participate in the Michigan Good Food Charter Council, and sign the resolution of support as an individual or organization. To read the full Michigan Good Food Charter and learn more: https://loom.ly/Q03r8FE #LocalFood #Michigan #SupportSmallBusiness #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSovereignty