Please help us raise awareness about Michigan’s 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms program by signing your name or the name of your organization to a list of supporters. We are thrilled that in the first 10 days of our support drive, more than 261 individuals and organizations from around the state already have signed up!
10 Cents a Meal provides schools with match incentive funds to purchase and serve Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. Funded by the state legislature since 2016, 10 Cents is a pilot program that so far has been expanded financially and geographically each year and now is available in more than half of our counties. 10 Cents has been praised nationally as a leading, innovative model. Let Michiganders everywhere know that you support investing in local food for kids in schools as part of Michigan’s identity!
Other ways that you can help: Spread the word about 10 Cents and support your schools in obtaining and using funds.
Learn more and sign up here.
Please forward this message to others who may be interested! Groundwork Center started this project, and we’d love to see awareness across the state.
Backgrounder: How 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms Works
The two pillar goals of 10 Cents are to 1) Serve local, healthy, and delicious food to kids in schools and 2) Invest in Michigan’s farm and local food economy. The way it works is schools agree to spend up to 10 cents per student meal on Michigan-grown food, and when they do, the state matches that amount with an equal amount, up to 10 cents. While 10 cents from the state and 10 cents from the school may not sound like much, the fact is that amount can make a very meaningful contribution to nutrition for students and to the pocketbooks of small farmers. The program requires Michigan-grown food, and very often the food is purchased from sources near the school, helping forge bonds in the community.
A teacher who is partnering with her food service director on taste tests said: “Some students had thirds! I was excited to be able to share that I used to live next to the farm. This connection made my kids more excited to try parsnips.” Parsnips! Have you tried them? See how 10 Cents is making a difference? Join us!
