Center for Regional Food Systems

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  2021 National Farm to ECE Survey

  Published on August 3, 2022
  See what we learned from 2,914 survey respondents across 26 states about current farm to ECE initiatives, what's needed to sustain and expand participation, and the effect, if any, of COVID-19 on farm to ECE and local purchasing practices.

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  Michigan Good Food Charter

  Published on July 26, 2022
  The Michigan Good Food Charter is a vision and a roadmap to advance Michigan’s food and agricultural contributions to the economy, protect our natural resource base, improve our residents’ health, and enable generations of Michigan youth to thrive.

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  All About Beans: A Summary of Legumes in the 2020-2021 Year of 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms Program

  Published on July 11, 2022
  This report uses 10 Cents data from SY2020-21 to describe the purchase and use of legumes by grantees.

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  Local Sourcing: It is Easier Than You Think

  Published on July 1, 2022
  Learn strategies to source more locally produced foods in your business.

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  Faces of the Network Podcast #4: Noel Bielaczyc, Value Chain Specialist, Center for Regional Food Systems

  Published on June 28, 2022
  Hosted by Farm to Institution Data Manager Zaire Parrotte, the Faces of the Network Podcast is a space to hear stories from Michigan champions, partners, and supporters who are leading the way in supplying, sourcing, and serving Michigan food, from the farm to the institution. In this fourth episode, we meet Noel Bielaczyc, Value Chain Specialist at the Center for Regional Food Systems.

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  Faces of the Network Podcast #3: Mariel Borgman, Community Food Systems Educator, MSU Extension

  Published on June 27, 2022
  Hosted by Farm to Institution Data Manager Zaire Parrotte, the Faces of the Network Podcast is a space to hear stories from Michigan champions, partners, and supporters who are leading the way in supplying, sourcing, and serving Michigan food, from the farm to the institution. In this third episode, we meet Mariel Borgman, Community Food Systems Educator for Michigan State University Extension.

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  Faces of the Network Podcast #2: Abbey Palmer, Community Food Systems Educator, MSU Extension

  Published on June 26, 2022
  Hosted by Farm to Institution Data Manager Zaire Parrotte, the Faces of the Network Podcast is a space to hear stories from Michigan champions, partners, and supporters who are leading the way in supplying, sourcing, and serving Michigan food, from the farm to the institution. This series is brought to you by the Michigan Farm to Institution Network. In this second episode, we meet Abbey Palmer, Community Food Systems Educator for Michigan State University Extension.

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  Faces of the Network Podcast #1: Megan McManus, Farm to Institution Fellow, Center for Regional Food Systems

  Published on June 25, 2022
  Hosted by Farm to Institution Data Manager Zaire Parrotte, the Faces of the Network Podcast is a space to hear stories from Michigan champions, partners, and supporters who are leading the way in supplying, sourcing, and serving Michigan food, from the farm to the institution. This podcast is brought to you by the Michigan Farm to Institution Network. In this first episode, we meet Megan McManus, Farm to Institution Fellow at the Center for Regional Food Systems.

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  Producing a Value-Added Product on the Farm Series

  Published on June 24, 2022
  These info sheets overview how farms with greater than or less than 3,000 laying hens can produce shell eggs as a value-added product.

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  Farm to School Video Series from Michigan Department of Education

  Published on June 1, 2022
  This series from the Michigan Department of Education showcases what farm to school looks like in action and why it matters.

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  REAL Talks Episode 6 - Internal and External Engagement with DEI: A Conversation with The Food Trust

  Published on May 31, 2022
  In episode 6, our guests from The Food Trust share how they engage in the practice of DEI within their own organization, and with the external communities they partner with.

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  REAL Talks Episode 5 - Intentionality in the DEI Process: A Conversation with Farmers Market Coalition

  Published on May 16, 2022
  For episode 5 of REAL Talks, we talked with Farmers Market Coalition, a core partner of the Nutrition Incentive Hub providing farm direct technical assistance to nutrition incentive grantees and practitioners.

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  Farm to Institution Food Safety Basics

  Published on April 20, 2022
  Institutional buyers have a variety of options to verify their produce suppliers’ food safety practices. This resource includes videos, case studies, and links to additional information to learn about on-farm produce safety practices.

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  Navigating Farm Produce Safety Programs

  Published on April 20, 2022
  As a food service buyer, you rely on your suppliers to provide safe high quality food. Farms have various options for demonstrating their safe produce production and handling practices.

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  REAL Talks Episode 4 - Finding Success in the Coalition DEI Journey: Part 3 of Our Conversation with Double Up Heartland

  Published on April 20, 2022
  In our third and final conversation with Double Up Heartland, our guests answer the question, "What are some successes that you've experienced through the DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) process?"

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  REAL Talks Episode 3 - Managing Tensions in the Coalition DEI Journey: Part 2 of Our Conversation with Double Up Heartland

  Published on April 19, 2022
  During the last episode of REAL Talks, we introduced Double Up Heartland. They've put together a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee, and we've been talking with three individuals from that committee who represent one third of the coalition's member organizations.

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  Funding Sources for Food-Related Businesses, Seventh Edition

  Published on April 8, 2022
  The seventh edition of this directory provides an overview of various financing sources available to food-related businesses in Michigan and across the United States.

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  REAL Talks Episode 2 - Starting the DEI Journey as a Coalition: Part 1 of Our Conversation with Double Up Heartland

  Published on April 6, 2022
  In episode 2, we get into our first interview of REAL Talks, where we talk with Double Up Heartland, a coalition of six partner organizations implementing Double Up Food Bucks, a nutrition incentive program at grocery stores, farmers markets, farm stands, and mobile markets in Kansas and Missouri.

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  REAL Talks Episode 1 - Welcome to REAL Talks! (Reaching for Equity in All Lives)

  Published on April 5, 2022
  Welcome to episode 1 of REAL Talks (Reaching for Equity in All Lives)! The purpose of this podcast series is to explore the question: what does diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, look like within the nutrition incentive community?

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  Bulletin E-3424 Marketing Fresh Produce via Direct to Consumer and Intermediated Markets

  Published on March 31, 2022
  The guide provides an overview of direct and intermediated marketing channels, including quality standards, insurance and food safety considerations, communication, skills, pricing, and typical customer profiles.