Seeking new approaches to institutional food purchasing. Growing Michigan institutions’ capacity to serve local food. Expanding markets for food grown, raised and processed in Michigan.

Cultivate Michigan 2018 Data Brief

10 Cents a Meal Pilot: 2017-2018 Evaluation Results

Local Food for Little Eaters: A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Understanding How Michigan Institutions Define Local Food

Michigan Farm to Institution Network

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network (MFIN) is a space for learning, sharing and working together to get more local food to institutions. We aim to meet the Michigan Good Food Charter goal of 20% Michigan food to institutions by 2020. Through the network, we host a statewide local food purchasing campaign, called Cultivate Michigan, to help Farm to Institution programs grow and track their progress.

We help:

  • Institutions such as hospitals, early childhood programs, schools, and colleges find, buy and use Michigan foods;
  • Farmers and food suppliers offer the local foods institutions want in the ways they need; and
  • Eaters at institutions identify, value and enjoy local foods.

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network is member of the Steering Committee for the National Farm to Institution Metrics Collaborative.

Become a Member

Network membership is open to institutional food service directors and buyers as well as farmers, food vendors and suppliers, advocates, supporters and researchers.

By joining the Network, you will have the opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to help shape farm to institution programs in Michigan; network and participate in learning activities and social events across the state; and be part of a larger movement to help take local food purchasing at Michigan institutions to the next level!

Membership Benefits

  • Invitations to network events
  • Periodic e-news with network updates
  • Join network action meetings (primarily virtual)
  • Contribute to network projects (see below for more information)

Network Projects

This work is driven by our members! The activities of the network are coordinated by leaders across Michigan. Bring your expertise and help shape the direction of the network by joining one or more subcommittees of your choice.

Tours and Educational Events
  • Promote Michigan featured foods and recipes
  • Feature your work in webinars, trainings, tours and events
Research
  • Help identify and shape partnerships and funding sources for farm to institution research
Stories
  • Share the story of the network with current and future members from across different sectors of the food system
Outreach
  • Serve as an ambassador for farm to institution efforts in Michigan
  • Help secure institutional commitments to Cultivate Michigan
  • Discover new and valuable partnerships among growers, suppliers, and processors
Data Tracking
  • Create tools and strategies for institutions to track their local food purchasing and share successes

 

Become a member of the Michigan Farm to Institution Network here.

If you have questions about the Michigan Farm to Institution Network, contact info@cultivatemichigan.org. To learn more about Cultivate Michigan, go to www.cultivatemichigan.org. 

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network is coordinated by Colleen Matts, Farm to Institution Specialist with CRFS, with support from MSU Extension. MFIN and Cultivate Michigan are funded, in part, by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, and the Americana Foundation.


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Learn more:

Contact Us

Michigan Farm to School

Sharing ideas, tools and resources to support a range of efforts to serve local foods in schools and early care and education settings.

Michigan Farm to ECE

Farm to early care and education helps children and families eat more local foods.

Cultivate Michigan

Cultivate Michigan is a statewide campaign designed to help ramp up farm to institution programs and track progress.

Center for Regional Food Systems

Farm to Institution/School

Food System Infrastructure, Planning and Policy

Michigan Good Food

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