Send a letter AND MAKE A CALL to show your support for the "10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms" Program!

Healthier children, more financially stable farms. Tell the Governor and Legislature those are big wins for a very reasonable investment.

Since the program’s beginning in 2016, the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms program has grown and improved the health of Michigan's children and our agricultural economy. This year, the Michigan House drafted a School Aid Budget Bill that removes 10 Cents a Meal, Healthy School Meals, and other critical food support resources from the budget. While the Governor's Office and the Michigan Senate did include these programs in their budget drafts, there is still work to be done as legislators come together to reconcile. It is important that our decision makers know just how crucial programs like these are for our children. We have been advocating for this program during the budget cycle, and the July 1st deadline for a finalized budget has come and gone without a vote. If you haven't sent a letter or made a phone call, we urge you to do so now.

Join us and show support for the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms Program and request that as the Michigan Legislature reconciles, they maintain this critical program in the Michigan State Budget. By signing and sending this letter you can show your support for a strong local food system, farmers across the state, and our children.

10 Cents a Meal is Michigan’s local food incentive program implemented by the Michigan Department of Education. The program provides schools, early care and education centers, and other organizations participating in USDA Child Nutrition programs with grant funds to pay for Michigan-grown produce, including fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. The program also pays for local food transportation fees, and food service labor expenses to strengthen the local food supply chain and enrich nutrition and educational experiences for children in Michigan.

Thank you for your support in this effort! We also ask that you share this sign-on request with other organizations and people in your network who support a strong local food system. For questions or additional information, contact 10 Cents a Meal Policy and Engagement Specialist Amanda Brezzell at amanda.brezzell@groundworkcenter.org.

If you want to take your advocacy to the next level, we encourage you to please contact those in charge of finalizing the FY26 School Aid Budget today to let them know you want your tax dollars to continue paying for this program that gives so much for such a small price tag, and that the future of our children, our farmers, and our Michigan is better off for it.

Contact those in charge: Your letter will go to each of the people on the list below, but we also encourage you to call and make your opinion heard. Doing both is most effective.