Center for Regional Food Systems Michigan Farm to Institution Network

Resources

• Farmer Perspectives on Farm to Institution in Michigan

  Published on May 5, 2016
  In 2015, Michigan farmers were interviewed about their experiences and perceptions of selling to institutions.

• Increasing Local Food Purchasing through Forward Contracting

  Published on April 22, 2016
  This webinar discusses the different ways schools can use a forward contract when purchasing local foods, how to get started, and the benefits for both farmers and K-12 schools and early childhood programs.

• Garden to Cafeteria: Using On-Site Gardens to Supply Meal Programs Webinar

  Published on February 17, 2016
  This webinar is meant as a companion to the resource Garden to Cafeteria: A step-by-step guide, which provides a framework for sourcing products from school gardens for use in food programs.

• Sourcing Local Foods: Understanding Procurement Rules and Regulations Webinar

  Published on February 17, 2016
  This webinar on proper procurement procedures for sourcing local food for school and early childhood food programs includes strategies for successfully navigating the process.

• A Cultivate Michigan Local Food Distribution Tour

  Published on January 18, 2016
  Offered in conjunction with the Michigan Green Healthcare Conference, this Cultivate Michigan tour highlights a local food distribution facility. Cherry Capital Foods provides only Michigan foods to Michigan customers, including institutions.

• Garden to Cafeteria: A Step-by-Step Guide

  Published on January 7, 2016
  This Garden to Cafeteria Guide provides an approach for school garden educators and stakeholders, both experienced and newcomer, to successfully source products from school gardens for use in the cafeteria or food program.

• Evaluating the Economic Impacts of Local and Regional Food Systems: Best Practices Webinar

  Published on January 4, 2016
  This webinar is an overview of the local food economic impact toolkit funded by USDA AMS.

• Blueberries Tour 2014: A Cultivate Michigan Video

  Published on December 10, 2015
  In this Cultivate Michigan tour Barbara Norman’s Farm and True Blue Farms Processing Plant describe how their farms operate with a special kind of local connection that Cultivate Michigan strives to make more common.

• An Annotated Bibliography of Farm to Institution Research in Michigan

  Published on November 18, 2015
  Farm to Institution work in Michigan centers on efforts to increase the amount of local foods purchased and used in food service programs at schools, early childhood programs, hospitals, colleges, and other institutions.

• Michigan Farm to Institution Network and Cultivate Michigan Info Sheet

  Published on July 28, 2015
  This two-pager provides an overview of the work of the Michigan Farm to Institution Network.

• Apple Tour 2014: A Cultivate Michigan Video

  Published on February 11, 2015
  This Cultivate Michigan tour takes place at Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill. Blake Farms is a family owned and operated orchard & cider mill rooted in strong family traditions and a commitment to excellence.

• Farm to School Sales Webinar

  Published on February 10, 2015
  Michigan farmers and food service directors talk about their experiences with Farm to School sales as part of the Hoophouses for Health program.

• Tomatoes Tour 2014: A Cultivate Michigan Video

  Published on December 10, 2014
  Farmers on the Move, the only cooperative of Hispanic farmers in Michigan that is on a mission to provide locally grown, sustainable produce, hosted a Cultivate Michigan Tomato tour.

• MSU Production of Herbs in Bailey Greenhouse for Food Service

  Published on February 6, 2014
  This educational video features Michigan State University’s Bailey Greenhouse, which supplies fresh herbs to dining halls on campus

• Michigan Institutions Expand Local Food Purchasing

  Published on April 23, 2013
  Surveys conducted by CRFS in 2012 show growing participation and interest in local food purchasing by both institutions and farmers.

• Farm to Institution: A Summary of Research on Local Food Purchasing by Institutions

  Published on April 9, 2013
  This document summarizes the results of several CRFS surveys on interest in local food purchasing by a variety of institutions in Michigan, as well as farmers' interest in selling to such markets.

• Michigan Produce Availability Chart

  Published on March 29, 2013
  This handout outlines the availability of Michigan-grown vegetables, herbs, and fruits throughout the year.

• Local Food Interest by Institutions in Southeast Michigan: A Report for Eastern Market Corporation

  Published on February 18, 2013
  A 2012 survey of institutions in southeast Michigan, around Detroit, gathered information on their interest in purchasing food locally.

• Farm to Institution Marketing: 2012 Survey Shows Interest from Michigan Vegetable Farmers

  Published on February 1, 2013
  CRFS surveyed Michigan vegetable farmers about their interest in and willingness to sell their products to institutional markets and motivators and barriers associated with this type of marketing.

• Local Food Interest by Institutions in Southeast Michigan

  Published on February 1, 2013
  This summary of a 2012 survey details interest in local food purchasing by institutions in southeast Michigan.