The popular 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms incentive procurement pilot program is providing schools with up to 10 cents per meal in match funding to purchase and serve Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and legumes to an estimated 48,000 students in 16 grant-winning school districts. Lawmakers are encouraged to expand the program, as schools are serving a greater variety of fruits and vegetables and that is exactly what Michigan farmers grow.
10 Cents a Meal State Pilot Project, a brainchild of the Groundwork Center, is a win-win for Michigan children and farmers
Aunt Hilda’s Apple Pie-remembered fondly by Diane Conners-will be auctioned at Groundwork Center’s Oct. 8 Harvest at the Commons celebration.
Farmers in our region’s fields and orchards this summer are growing a variety of fruits and vegetables destined for the plates of children in seven school districts participating in the “10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms” pilot project.
When it comes to school lunches, a dime can can mean the difference between canned peaches or fresh, juicy ones for students. And because of a pilot project in our region called 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms, it also means sales for local farms and related businesses like food processors or distributors.
If you are a northwest Michigan farmer who grows fruits or vegetables and you like the idea of local school children eating the food you grow-or you just want more sales-now is the time to explore those new markets. The Michigan Land Use Institute and Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District are launching an expanded two-year pilot project that could mean up to $200,000 in sales of local agricultural products to schools in eight districts in four counties.